IBTM WORLD is a global event for the meetings, conferences, incentives, events, and business travel industry, taking place in Barcelona. Organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world´s leading travel, and tourism events organizer, it brought together industry professionals to meet face to face and build longlasting relationships. Furthermore, this was the opportunity to meet future business partners, plan collaborations and get to know more about the event industry in general. Exhibitors and suppliers from essential meeting and incentive markets converged at IBTM World to meet the industry’s top-level buyers. Visitors were professionals responsible for the planning and organization of meetings, conferences, incentive travel, and events. A truly global audience of visitors from corporations, associations, agencies, professional conference organizers (PCO’s) and industry media.
Eventôir participated as well and was, to say the least, pleased to have visited this year´s exhibition.
Read on to find out what you can expect when visiting the IBTM World.
IBTM WORLD 2018
IBTM WORLD is the biggest professional exhibition in the world for the leading players and decision-makers from the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions). Hence, this was the greatest gathering of professionals of congresses, seminars, and business tourism.
The three-day event, from the 27th to the 29th of November 2018, motivated the MICE industry to deliver exceptional experiences for their customers, bringing together more than 3.000 exhibitors from over 150 countries. IBTM WORLD 2018 delivered education and networking possibilities to a community of international suppliers and buyers, to help them propel their business in the future.
IBTM strives for sustainability
Ultimately, the event aimed to create and empower a global, collaborative vision for a more sustainable event industry. Thus, one that has a positive economic, environmental and social impact. Representatives from various United Nations bodies participated, as part of a partnership with Positive Impact, holding educational and Q&A sessions. This was helpful to understand the challenges that you can encounter along the way and further, how to make the optimal business decisions incorporating this newly learned information.
Technology
Furthermore, in this year’s event, there was a great focus on technology. The goal was to demonstrate solutions and applications to the industry´s challenges. Accordingly, this was mainly done by the exploratory zone. It was the place where you could find tech-focused exhibitors, interactive displays of virtual and augmented reality, 3-D printing, and projection mapping, among many other innovative solutions. Also featured in the Zone was a Tech Bar, where experts could answer all manner of practical technical questions and facilitate hands-on demonstrations.
News
The IBTM show management announced a new agreement with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, naming the organization a Premier Partner for IBTM World 2019. This is the first-ever such partnership for IBTM World. This will allow DCT Abu Dhabi to leverage its relationship with this well-known event. Moreover, it will increase access to a profoundly involved global audience. The partnership builds on the UAE’s 2030 economic vision plan to enhance social and economic development by ramping up its focus on hosting international business events.
Next year
IBTM World 2018 concluded on Thursday, Nov. 29. Next year’s show will take place Nov. 26-28, 2019, at the same venue in Barcelona.
Eventôir was grateful to have participated in this informative and eye-opening event. It is everyone´s responsibility to contribute positively to the world and reduce their ecological footprint. Therefore, Eventôir will be applying the new information. They will aim to create and plan more sustainable corporate events and company trips. Contact us if you want us to plan your next sustainable event.