With under two weeks to go before EIBTM 2013 (19-21 November) in Barcelona, Event Planner Spain has interviewed Graeme Barnett, EIBTM Senior Exhibition Director (Reed Travel Exhibitions), for a last-minute low-down on the show’s 26th edition (the 10th to be held in Barcelona).
Generally speaking, how does the 2014 edition of EIBTM compare with last year’s edition in terms of exhibitor and Hosted Buyer numbers?
"Our expectations are that the show will be similar in size to EIBTM 2012, which was our biggest event to date. We are committed to the quality of the business appointments that take place at EIBTM, and consequently, the return on investment it delivers for all of our key stakeholders."
Is there any country or region that has exceeded your expectations?
"We are delighted with number of new and returning exhibitors at the show this year. We look forward to welcoming; Azerbaijan, Turismo de Aragon, Marina Or, Last Minute Larries, Warsaw Tourism Organization, Silenzio Hotel, Temmos Hotels, and The DMC Greece, who are amongst many other organisations that are exhibiting for the first time."
"We are also excited to see some ’familiar faces,’ including; Corinthia Hotels International, Dolce Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont, Raffles & Swiss Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Kempinski, Marriott Hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc, The Aviation Factory Holland, The Leading Hotels of The World and The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group."
"The number of technology suppliers has also exceeded our expectations, with continuing growth year on year. This year we have the largest technology area to date, as well as the Innovation Zone, formerly known as the Future Events Experience, which has been redesigned to feature a number of new initiatives including a stage for Spotlight Sessions (45 second elevator pitches for exhibitors), the Genius Hub, a showcase zone and play area for the Top-Ten Innovations and Wall of Fame. Meetings planners are really starting to acknowledge the significance of technology, which has been highlighted by the hosted buyer tours of the Innovation Zone, which are now fully booked after just the first round of matches."
As regards Spain, how would you gauge the country’s representation this year?
"So far this year, EIBTM has attracted over 400 Spanish exhibiting companies, mainly from conference and meetings venues, hotels, destination management companies, destination or event management service. Some of these include Global Passenger Network Spain, Absolute Groups & Incentives, AC Hotels - Barcelona & Milan, Accor Spain, Alacarta Luxury Wine & Gourmet Tours, Alicante Convention Bureau, Alimara Hotel, Tecnica Incentivesturisme de Barcelona and Barcelona Princess Hotel."
"Here is what some of our regional suppliers have to say about us."
Raquel Corredoira, director of MICE Sales at Serhs Hotels: "EIBTM is the right platform where all the meeting industry meets giving us the opportunity to connect with the right people to do business with and communicate our company’s news. We are highly interested in learning all about our industry because that will allow us to align our company strategy with the new trends and move at the same pace and in the same direction. Attending the EIBTM gives us presence in the global market and we take it as an essential tool for networking, knowledge and conducting business."
Renée Kachler, business development director of Convention Bureau & Elite (Malaga-Costa del Sol Tourist Board): "Since we started attending EIBTM 17 years ago, we have always had a good return on investment. It is still a ’MUST-ATTEND,’ leading event for the global meetings and incentive industry, and a meeting point to deal directly with top-level international decision makers and our members. It is also a great B2B opportunity, with fantastic networking and educational seminars."
On the subject of the current health of the meeting and event industry, the results of the 2013 EIBTM Trends Watch Report are due out at EIBTM. Assuming that you’ve already had a peek at them, is there any one thing that strikes you as groundbreaking, surprising, encouraging, etc., for the industry as a whole?
"According to Rob Davidson’s Trends Watch report which will be presented in full detail at EIBTM 2013: ’Generally, there has been a slow shift from the fragile recovery of 2012 to a more sustained recovery in the world economy of 2013. This has been reflected in growing demand for meetings, events and business travel globally, as measured by almost all major surveys of these sectors.’"
"The report also indicates: ’Almost all forecasts for 2014 indicate increasing levels of optimism and growth in meetings, events and business travel, albeit modest. A consensus is forming that, leading into 2014, these sectors will continue to remain critical drivers assisting organisations in their efforts to reach their strategic business objectives and effectively communicate with their employees, customers and partners worldwide.’"
"For those interested in finding out more about research and trends in the global meetings industry, be sure to attend one of Davidson’s sessions, which will take place Tuesday, 19 November (Lecture Theatre, 11.30am-12.30pm) and Thursday, 21 November (Conference Room 5.2, 9-10am)."
"Davidson will draw on some of the latest international data and reports to provide a comprehensive and in-depth overview of business trends in the industry. The session will equip all attendees with up-to-date insights and knowledge of key global trends that will help shape their respective business strategies."
Could you summarize for me in a few words the show’s new features?
"The EIBTM floor plan has been redesigned to enhance the experience of all attendees. The new layout has been designed to incorporate new features, which will facilitate more networking and learning opportunities, which we understand are vital elements contributing to the overall experience of all of our delegates."
"We have integrated two Piazzas (one at either end of the main aisle) to facilitate the demand for informal networking areas, which will provide light refreshments and drinks, including cava, seafood and tapas. These Piazzas have been designed to provide buyers and exhibitors with the most relaxed and informal atmosphere in which to conduct their meetings."
"We have also introduced several other feature areas this year, all of which will showcase innovative and inspirational concepts – these smaller features include; a Sustainable Genius Zone, where attendees can learn more about sustainability within the meetings industry, the Hologram Genius Zone, where attendees can find out how to use hologram technology to plan and visualise their events, and the Event Genius Zone, where attendees can speak to event specialists and receive personal assessment and advice. For more information on all of these feature areas, please visit the event programme."
Since EIBTM will be remaining in Barcelona until 2016, and is a show in constant evolution, could you give me any insights as to where the show will be heading after this year’s edition? Will there be any major developments in the coming years?
"EIBTM’s move to Barcelona came at the perfect time for the event itself but also Barcelona and it is no coincidence that both the event and the city have grown in reputation during that time. EIBTM has grown significantly, in terms of numbers of exhibitors, hosted buyers and trade visitors, as well as having evolved into a global hub of networking, education, professional development and of course business meetings."
"At EIBTM we continuously evolve the show in order to keep it fresh and relevant for our customer’s attendees and the entire global meetings and events industry. The event has worked incredibly well for the last 26 years but if it is to be just as successful over the next 26 years, we will need to continue to work to keep things fresh and exciting. This requires flexibility and adaptability and a willingness to embrace our dynamic industry, which is itself continually evolving and developing. Our key objective is to ensure that all of our attendees have an experience, which is as good, as enjoyable and as valuable as possible to them personally and their business."
"In addition to the extensive post show customer research we conduct, we also call on our advisory board and the important role in which they play as a cross section of senior industry figures. Each member of the board is a highly valued and ’critical friend’ to us and we look to them to reaffirm the things that we are doing well, as well as highlighting areas where they believe we can improve and develop."
"Other examples of the EIBTM evolution experience this year will include the launch of the Meetings Leadership Summit, which has been created as part of the natural evolution of the original CEO Summit and will bring together like-minded individuals who are tasked with making their organisations more competitive, more agile, more profitable, more dynamic and better able to respond to constantly changing business dynamics."
"This insight, together with feedback and post show surveys provides us with an accurate overview and fair reflection of areas we are doing well in and others where there is room for development and evolution."
