Press Releases

GIBTM surpasses expectations recording the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the GULF

 More visitors and Hosted Buyers
 Record number of business appointments
 Thirst for education boosts seminar programme
 Exhibitors benefit from packed diary of appointments
 Third Meetings Industry Research launched

The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) 2009, held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi this week welcomed a record number of exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and trade visitors, creating the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf region. 

The pre-audited figures show a total visitor attendance of 1904, which includes 236 Hosted Buyers - an increase of 15% on 2008. Exhibitors increased to 768 attending personnel. 6,390 pre-scheduled appointments were undertaken at the event - up 23% on 2008.  

Officially audited numbers by ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) will be available in the near future and all information about GIBTM can be found on www.gibtm.com 

Filip Remenec, Head of Media, Czech Tourism commented. “We were here last year and it was great for us. Already my expectations are satisfied because today (Tuesday) we had 10 meetings and already have potential business for a conference for 2000 people to come to Prague, so that’s great”.

Medhat El Sisi, Manager, Embassy Suites Hotel, Sharjah added, “I can see that GIBTM is a strong show.  There is a lot of focus on inviting key players.  We have had appointments all day and the quality is good.  This is one of the rare exhibitions where they pre-arrange the appointments.” 

The third annual Middle East Meetings Industry Research Report, which surveyed a global database, was launched on the first day of GIBTM and attracted a packed seminar room.  The results revealed that the region has the most growth potential of all global markets for meetings and incentives, topping other growth markets such as China and India which came in second and third place respectively.   

Charles Drewe “Each year the quality of Hosted Buyers from the region is getting better, which means that the industry here is really beginning to take shape.  Year one, there was a lot of learning, year two the seeds were sewn and business started to shape, this year we really have met some serious planners.  It’s the developing markets which are really becoming exciting and it’s the time to be brave and try them in this time of economic turmoil.”   

New exhibitors found that despite the turbulence of the business world, their attendance was worth it.

Mr Sin Chen, Project Leader, Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade said “We are exploring this part of the world, this was an investment for us to introduce Taiwan to a new region. The results have been fantastic, the quality of buyer was way above other trade shows, and we have been overwhelmed with appointments.  We didn’t really expect to get any business from our first visit, but the whole experience means we will now definitely be back in 2010” 

“This is my first time at GIBTM. This is an amazing exhibition centre and with the support of ADTA I can see this event is going to keep getting better and better.  Next year we hope to quadruple our stand. This is a good business opportunity for us and we have talked to a lot of people. It’s definitely exceeded my expectations”; commented Richard W Riley, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi National Hotels.

Graeme Barnett, Event Director commented: “We are delighted. One of our aims since we first launched the show in 2007 was to drive the development of the meetings industry in the region and I think what we’ve seen this week is the culmination of three years work with everyone involved.”   

GIBTM 2010 will take place from 29th - 31st March at ADNEC Abu Dhabi.

All information relating to GIBTM can be found at: www.gibtm.travel

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For further information, contact the GIBTM press office:

Simon Greenbury/Imogen Allen/Nina Gardiner

Tel: +44 (0) 207 096 2960/59/53

Email:  Simon.greenbury@cut-coms.co.uk, Imogen.allen@cut-coms.co.uk,  Nina.gardiner@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 are 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 is 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