European Pavilion and Market Focus Networking Event will serve increasing demand for outbound business from Middle East into Europe.
GIBTM, the Middle East’s dedicated business platform for the region’s inbound and outbound MICE and Business Travel industry, is set to incorporate a dedicated European Pavilion and Market Focus Networking Event to the show programme this year.
The enhanced focus on Europe will be delivered as a direct result of post show feedback which revealed that Hosted Buyers who attended GIBTM 2013 from countries including UAE, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, specified a direct interest in placing outbound business there.
GIBTM Middle East Meetings Industry Report 2013 confirmed that ‘the forecast for the year ahead is even more positive as can be seen from the 69% of locally based buyers predicting more events for the next 12 months. In addition, 59% of Middle East buyers are forecasting increased budgets for the next twelve months and 30% say budgets will remain the same as last year’.
Lois Hall, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Exhibition Manager, GIBTM commented “The Middle East is rich with opportunities for outbound business and last year, GIBTM saw 251 Hosted Buyers attend with 67% placing orders in excess of US$650,000 each.
“Last year, GIBTM attracted top-level regional buyers from major global organisations including Bank of Beirut – Lebanon, Carlson Wagonlit Travel – Egypt, Saudi Aramco – Saudi Arabia, American Express Egypt Travel Service – Egypt, Mobily – Saudi Arabia and Capital Market Authority – Saudi Arabia.
“For 2014, we are set to increase our offering to 300 targeted buyers as demand continues to grow for quality interaction with leading industry suppliers, and the new GIBTM event programme will build on previous show floor successes to allow us to continue to push outbound business from the region.”
Exhibiting in the European Pavilion at GIBTM will enable suppliers to meet with a highly targeted audience of buyers and achieve fast market penetration, which will be facilitated through the power of face-to-face meetings. Exhibitors will also be able to obtain competitive intelligence whilst establishing their company as a key player in the meetings and events industry.
The show programme will also include a Market Focus on Europe networking event, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 25 March from 8:30am – 10am on the show floor. The session will facilitate business opportunities between exhibitors from Europe and Hosted Buyers who have business to place in Europe.
GIBTM 2014 takes place on the 24-26 March 2014.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
