Post-show feedback at AIBTM 2012, The Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition, indicates U.S. buyers increasingly are interested in hosting meetings in Europe and Asia. As a result, AIBTM 2013, which is scheduled to be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from June 11-13, will conduct market focus spotlights for each market.
Some 64 percent of U.S. buyers indicated interest in placing meetings within Europe, and
more than half of U.S. buyers were interested in hosting meetings in Asia, according to AIBTM’s survey. The market focus spotlights on Europe and Asia provide exclusive one-hour networking and business opportunities for attendees to conduct individual, one-on-one meetings with European and Asian exhibitors participating at AIBTM.
“We are very excited to participate in AIBTM Chicago this year,” said Jorge Rubio, tourist office director, Tourist Office of Spain, Chicago. “Our partnership with Reed Travel Exhibitions around the globe and especially their support here in the USA is allowing us to significantly increase our MICE business in Spain.”
Hosted buyers who have selected Europe or Asia as a potential preferred destination on their registration application automatically will have the networking hour added to their pre-scheduled appointment itinerary.
“Last year’s success of the European market focus showed mutual value for hosted buyers and exhibitors. It is clear from the demand that there’s continued opportunity to spotlight new and emerging meeting markets,” said Michael Lyons, exhibition director, AIBTM. “This year, we want to extend the show floor experience by delivering focused, private networking sessions for European and Asian exhibitors who want targeted exposure to U.S. buyers.”
AIBTM is a leading global exhibition for the U.S. meetings and events industry. AIBTM delivers individually qualified hosted buyers and eligible trade-buyers from the U.S. and around the world. Tailored to the U.S. market, AIBTM serves and guarantees the attendance of top-level decision makers and provides time- and business-efficient matching services for buyers and sellers through unique hosted buyer programs.
