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The official ABC audit for EIBTM 2007 (an independent verification process) is now complete certifying a rise in attendance of over 20% compared to 2006 with a total visitor attendance of 7,218 visitors and Hosted Buyers.
Confirming its status as a truly international event, EIBTM 2007 welcomed an increased number of visitors from a host of destinations which included Argentina, Australia, China, Croatia, India, and South Africa alongside those from the key European markets. Demonstrating the show’s worldwide appeal, a wide range of new buyer markets – comprising of Ecuador, Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Vietnam – were also represented for the first time.
EIBTM has gained in excess of 400 new exhibiting companies since 2006, and 40,094 pre-scheduled appointments took place during the show, a 17% rise from 2006.
Visit London and its stand partners at EIBTM expect to receive over £10 million worth
of enquiries following a highly successful show. Barbara Jamison, Sales Manager, Europe at Visit London said: “EIBTM is one of the highlights in the industry calendar and has proved year on year to be a key driver for events in the UK capital. Our target for the show was £10 million and following a very busy few days of appointments and stand activity we expect to significantly exceed this amount in confirmed business.”
Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA) reported a very productive time at EIBTM, having received three requests for proposals issued by an association, a professional conference organisation in Europe and a multinational company operating from Australia. These major events are scheduled to take place between next year and 2012 and are projected to attract a total of 12,000 inbound delegates.
“EIBTM was, as always, perfect! Renewed contacts, new contacts with new ideas – I already have a full tour departing late April courtesy of EIBTM. And to top it, was able to solve a problem in a couple of hours with a Paris Hotel. EIBTM was energising! It was great!!! I’m so happy to have attended”, commented Hosted Buyer, Audrey-Anne Scher, Managing Director of Turbo Travel Pty Ltd in South Africa.
Over 2,000 attendees benefitted from the extensive education programme which included the well established Association, Agency and Corporate Programmes for Hosted Buyers, and the introduction of the new Daily Technology Hour.
Maintaining its position as a forum for innovation and industry initiatives, EIBTM 2007 also saw the introduction of a major meetings industry symposium on Corporate Social Responsibility, the third EIBTM CEO Summit of 49 ‘C’ level executives, plus the launch of the EIBTM 2007 Industry Trends and Market Share Report, giving valuable insight to the challenges that lie ahead for the industry.
The MPI Technology Village and Event Services Village welcomed a total of over 40 exhibiting companies making it the largest collection of specialist suppliers ever seen at EIBTM. The addition of a third Hosted Buyer lounge provided a unique networking and relaxation haven for buyers with, for the first time, a complimentary lunch provided by Fira de Barcelona. The Post Event Tour Programme offered more destinations than ever before and was fully booked by Hosted Buyers well in advance of EIBTM. Also proving a huge success was the Turespana Events Lounge which hosted a full timetable of events throughout the show, including the EIBTM Awards presentation, EIBTM press conferences, cocktail receptions and presentations from a selection of Spanish meetings destinations.
Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions said “The feedback from both exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive – it is a great sign for 2008 and reflective of the current pace of growth within the meetings industry. We have had a flood of re-bookings and many exhibitors already requesting more floor space. Our efforts will continue to focus on hosting a forum to meet the needs of the industry providing return on investment for all our participants”.
The full breakdown of the EIBTM 2007 attendance figures is as follows:
Visitor attendance (7,218):
Trade Visitors – 3,892
Hosted Buyers – 3,326
Other attendance (Press, VIPs and Speakers) – 291
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
