Participation in the inaugural IBTM India scheduled Sept. 12-14 in Mumbai by a large number of suppliers heralds the importance of the nation’s outbound MICE market according to officials for show organizer Reed Travel Exhibitions.
“The statistics speak for themselves,” said Shinu Pillai, project manager, IBTM India. “Nearly 
1.8 million people travelled outbound for meetings and conventions in 2012 with the major sectors being pharma, fast-moving consumer goods, information technology and financial services the highest contributors. Those who want a piece of this lucrative market will be there.”
IBTM India will reflect the core values of the IBTM global portfolio of meeting
events providing business, education and networking but in a new tabletop format. IBTM India will match international exhibitors through a pre-scheduled appointment system with qualified hosted buyers from India who have guaranteed international business to place. They will be alongside domestic suppliers from the Indian market who will be meeting with international buyers.
Among participants from around the world scheduled to participate include: the Barcelona Convention Bureau of Spain, Turkey’s ICEE Travel, the Vienna Convention Bureau of Austria, Tourism Toronto, Tourism New Zealand, Kuoni Private Safari of South Africa, the Switzerland Convention Bureau, Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Munich Convention Bureau of Germany.
The first IBTM India will comprise 100 MICE and business-travel suppliers from international and Indian hotels and venues, travel organizations, event organizers and others. A proportionate number of top-level decision makers, 50 international and 50 from India, will be hosted as buyers, all of whom will be pre-qualified to ensure they are planning to place international business. Buyers will be from key associations, corporations and agencies.
More information about IBTM India is available online at www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmindia or email shinu.pillai@reedexpo.ae. Reed Travel Exhibitions is a global provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. Its portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel, meetings, incentives and business travel as well as golf, ski and spa travel.
