AIBTM, which launched in Baltimore this year as the international U.S. meetings and events industry exhibition, has won first prize for the ‘Best of Show’ at the 2011 TSNN Event Excellence Awards. The show was awarded first place based on a number of criteria including outstanding event, productivity of show in obtaining business objectives, entertainment, networking opportunities available and awareness and implementation of a sustainable actions.

Steve Knight, AIBTM Project Manager commented: “This is a big win for us and we are so delighted to have been recognised so soon after the launch of our event. It is recognition of the team and the focus we placed for this to be a strategic event for the US meetings industry. The show delivers individually qualified Hosted Buyers and eligible Trade Buyers from the U.S. and around the world. It is the only event of its kind this year to also be independently audited so that all figures relating to the event are verified for transparency.”

The Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is the world's leading online resource for the trade show, exhibition and event industry since 1996. TSNN has also become the leading news source for the trade show industry, with more than 50,000 unique visitors a month.

Rachel Wimberly, Editor-in-chief, Trade Show News Network commented: "TSNN, along with the rest of the trade show industry, was very impressed that AIBTM was able to snag the inaugural "Best of Show" award for a newly launched event. It proves that AIBTM's debut show caught people's attention amongst a competitive group of award nominees."