Post-show research conducted following AIBTM 2013 has identified a clear demand expressed by U.S. hosted buyers attending, for a greater European exhibitor presence at AIBTM 2014, which is set to take place at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida from 10-12 June 2014.
Qualitative analysis conducted pre and post-show with AIBTM hosted buyers specifically identified Canary Islands, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain and Turkey as key regions of American buyer interest.
Further post-show evaluation found that over half of AIBTM buyers specifically selected Southern and Mediterranean Europe as a key region of interest for placing outbound business and 60% of buyers identified that they went on to place orders in excess of $600,000 as a direct result of their participation at the show.
Esther Banike, executive board secretary of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA), who attended AIBTM 2013 as a U.S. hosted buyer, commented: "My duty in attending AIBTM was to research areas for suitability, cost, sites, etc., for upcoming WFTGA conventions and for our smaller meetings, to gauge the support that CVBs and other tourism authorities might offer our potential bidding member associations. Members in Southern and Mediterranean Europe were among those who had expressed strong interest in bidding for our next open convention (2017)."
It was also revealed that 75% of all buyers present at AIBTM 2013 attended to keep up to date and find out more about what is new in the industry, 80% of buyers plan international meetings and 63% of U.S. buyers predict using new destinations within the next 12 months.
Michael Lyons, AIBTM exhibition director (Reed Travel Exhibitions), commented: "AIBTM truly is the meetings show for the Americas. We are delighted to confirm that we are expecting a similar proportion (85%) of U.S. buyers who will attend the show in Orlando next June. Our strategy ensures that exhibitors who sign up to participate in the show receive genuine business leads from qualified association, corporate and business travel buyers, all of whom have proven senior-level purchasing power."
Companies interested in exhibiting at AIBTM 2014 should contact Ed Johnson, sales coordinator on email at ed.johnson@reedexpo.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 910 7098.
