Press Releases

GIBTM 2010 – Industry recognises expanding business opportunities in the Gulf

(View this press release in Arabic)

Official GIBTM hotels reflect Abu Dhabi growth

Following last year’s largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf Region, the next edition of The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) 2010 taking place from 29 – 31 March has attracted major players in the industry recognising the expanding business opportunities in the Region.

These include Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Costa Del Sol Tourist Board, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Seoul Tourism Organisation, Qatar Tourism Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development, Etihad Airways, Jumeirah, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Silversea Cruises and Toerisme Vlaanderen

Additionally, following the success of Gulf Meetings Week for the past two years, GIBTM has organised a comprehensive programme which will include the extension of Abu Dhabi Day organised by ADTA - now running over two days – fam-trips for Hosted Buyers around the region, association support, and an expanded education programme supported by AIPC, SITE, ICCA and MPI.

Reflecting the growing interest in GIBTM, Hosted Buyers, exhibitors and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the new and existing first class hotel developments that Abu Dhabi offers at GIBTM delegate rates.

A selection of last year’s official hotels of Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers, Intercontinental Abu Dhabi, Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi and Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi are joined by the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Al Raha Beach Hotel, Traders Hotel, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island Rotana, Crowne Plaza Yas Island, Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel (linked to GIBTM’s venue ADNEC), Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel and the Park Rotana Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on these developments Exhibition Director Graeme Barnett said: “GIBTM is driving the development of the meetings industry in the region at a time of unprecedented expansion. One only has to witness the excitement and anticipation generated by Yas Island to recognise the enormous potential offered to the meetings industry. It is predicted that 300,000 jobs will be created in the next ten years in the hospitality sector alone in the Middle East; 20 per cent within the meetings and event sector. That’s 60,000 meeting professionals!

“From an education perspective, GIBTM is at the forefront of providing professional education for the meetings industry and it has been a long term strategy to provide specific learning sessions for the Gulf meetings market. Our dedicated programme will provide the industry, from students upwards, with a real platform in which they can learn from industry experts and exchange best practices.

“There is no better time, whether an exhibitor or a Hosted Buyer, to commit to attend GIBTM 2010.  Attracting a regional and global visitor audience including hundreds of Hosted Buyers from Europe, America, Africa, Asia, the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East - as well professionals involved in the planning and organisation of incentive travel programmes, congresses or events – it is the Gulf event that delivers business and return on investment.”

For further information on exhibiting or becoming a Hosted Buyer log onto www.gibtm.com

- Ends -

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