Press Releases

Growth of Gulf MICE sector provides exclusive VIP business opportunities

Hosted Buyer registration open for GIBTM, the Gulf’s leading event dedicated to the meetings, incentive, events and business travel industry

GIBTM (www.gibtm.com), the leading exhibition dedicated to the meetings, incentive, events and business travel industry – also known as MICE – in the Gulf and Middle East has opened registration for meeting planners, incentives buyers and decision makers to apply for VIP Hosted Buyer status. 

The three-day event takes place from 29 – 31 March 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Convention Centre (ADNEC) and is set to welcome the largest ever gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf.
 
Driven by a quality Hosted Buyer Programme – a trademark of each event within the Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) global meetings portfolio – the programme provides exclusive VIP business meeting opportunities for senior level buyers and decision makers who are looking for new inspiration for their meetings, incentives, events and conferences.

Graeme Barnett, GIBTM’s Exhibition Director said: “Now in its fourth year, we are looking to offer more Hosted Buyer places to those working in the Gulf region’s meetings, incentives, event and business travel industry; one that has, and continues to see significant growth. I urge those within the industry to apply for Hosted Buyer status at www.gibtm.com/hostedbuyers. Attending this year’s GIBTM is a real opportunity to develop and expand business.”

VIP benefits as a Hosted Buyer include:
• Return flight with GIBTM’s exclusive airline partner Etihad Airways
• Two to four nights accommodation at a 4 or 5* hotel
• Complimentary transfers
• Priority appointments with exhibitors via Buyer driven appointment system and access to a personalised online diary
• Attendance at GIBTM networking functions including Icebreaking event at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel on Monday 29 March and Gala Evening on Yas Island on Tuesday 30 March
• Three day education programme with ability to choose sessions prior to appointment matching
• Buyer/Seller session on Monday 29 March
• Exclusive entry to Hosted Buyer VIP lounge with complementary refreshments
• Access to dedicated team of Hosted Buyer Managers
• Opportunity to apply for pre and post Abu Dhabi/Gulf tours, including ADTA sponsored ‘Abu Dhabi Day’

‘Abu Dhabi Day’, jointly organised with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), is open to international Hosted Buyers on a first come first serve basis. It includes visits to the Sheik Zayed Mosque and Dhow area, Emirates Palace and Saadiyat Island Exhibition as well as an early evening cocktail reception at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi.

To enjoy the benefits of the Hosted Buyer programme, those applying must meet the set qualification levels based on:

 •  Potential for future international business
 •  Evidence of past/future business in the Gulf region
 •  Number of international events held annually
 •  Purchasing authority and annual budget
 •  Amount of business conducted internationally

GITBM has seen substantial growth of 56% since its launch in 2007, attracting last year 1,693 visitors and Hosted Buyers - up nearly 15% on 2008.

To apply for free Hosted Buyer status log onto www.gibtm.com/hostedbuyers. Alternatively contact a member of the GIBTM Hosted Buyer team at gibtm-hosted@reedexpo.co.uk or phone +44 20 8910 7804
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For further information, contact the GIBTM press office:
Simon Greenbury/Andrea Klar
Tel: +44 (0)207 096 2960/ 56
Email: Simon.greenbury@cut-coms.co.uk
 Andrea.klar@cut-coms.co.uk
GIBTM Website: www.gibtm.com
Reed Travel Exhibitions website: www.reedtravelexhibitions.com

NOTES TO EDITORS
• The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) is the leading exhibition dedicated to the Meetings, Incentive Events and Business Travel Industry in the Gulf and wider Middle East region, staged annually in the exciting and developing destination of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
• GIBTM is ABC Audited every year to guarantee that the number of visitors promoted is completely accurate and are unique attendees only.
• GIBTM brings together regional and international buyers and suppliers for three days of business, networking and professional education and aims to be the driver behind the development of the meetings industry across the region.
• GIBTM forms part of the RTE portfolio of Global Meeting and Incentive Events along with EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), CIBTM (www.cibtm.com), AIBTM (www.aibtm.com) AIME (www.aime.com.au), and the ICCA Exhibition in association with the ICCA Congress (www.iccaworld.com).
• Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADNEC, NCC and Etihad were all exclusive partners for GIBTM 2009. Meetme, published by NPI, is a global media partner and official publication for the show.
• For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
• Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 39 fully staffed offices.
• Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, building & construction, electronics, energy, engineering, entertainment, environment, food & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT, jewellery, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, property, manufacturing, medical education, packaging & converting, printing & visual communication, security, sports & recreation, travel.
• Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.
• Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million.
• GIBTM will again be working in partnership with MPI’s Gulf Meetings and Events Conference taking place in Abu Dhabi, 28-29 March 2009.   The two events form the Gulf Meetings Week providing a week long platform for education, networking and marketplace development.
• Etihad Airways was the exclusive official airline for GIBTM 2009. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 50 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Etihad has been appointed official carrier for GIBTM until 2011. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: + 971 (0) 2 505 8317 / 8573 visit www.etihadmediacentre.com