Collaboration for the 2012 Americas Meetings and Events Exhibitions (AIBTM) continues to escalate. AIBTM announced a 48 percent increase in industry partnerships in 2012, along with four new strategic alliances, building momentum and buyer attendance for AIBTM, which takes place June 19-21, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The three-day business networking event includes one full day of education and two days of exhibitions.
Among AIBTM’s new partners is the Potomac Chapter of MPI (PMPI). The show’s involvement with the Capitol-area MPI Chapter gives AIBTM a home-turf networking advantage for its 2012 launch in Baltimore. Joining forces with the cruise and convention center sales arena, AIBTM is a gold-level sponsor of Convention Service Professionals International (CSPI).
In addition, AIBTM is collaborating with conventionplanit.com, a search directory for meeting, tradeshow and event planners, and SPIN, an independent network of senior level planners, who organize education and networking think tanks throughout the United States.
“AIBTM is delighted at the response and support we are receiving for this year’s show,” said Craig Moyes, portfolio director, meetings and events, Reed Travel Exhibitions. “Though Reed Travel Exhibitions has long been the global meetings and events leader, AIBTM is only in its second year. We are thrilled to be embraced on this level by the field’s top associations and organizations. In collaboration with our new and existing partners, we are excited to showcase AIBTM’s strength, impact and value to the industry this June.”
AIBTM’s education partners are supporting the event by collectively bringing more than 750 buyers to AIBTM, in addition to hosting targeted educational tracks tailored to the industry’s most pressing issues. PCMA alone is committed to bringing more than 500 hosted buyers to AIBTM, and SITE is on board with 100 incentive buyers. Additional AIBTM education partners presenting sessions during AIBTM Education Day on June 19 include ACTE and ICCA.
Following the success of its inaugural 2011 event, AIBTM expects to have 20,000 pre-scheduled onsite appointments in 2012 and has seen a 50 percent spike in group coordinators over last year. Additionally, 85 percent of current exhibitors signed on are returning. Of those, 30 percent have increased floor space significantly for 2012. One-third of returning exhibitors already booked for 2012 have expanded their floor space, including Hilton Worldwide, IHG InterContinental Group, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and Marriott International.
With still three months to go, more than 22 percent of AIBTM 2012 show floor will include brand new exhibitors. AIBTM welcomes Carlson Hotels, Visit Pittsburgh, the CVBs of New York State, Long Beach CVB, Palm Springs Desert Resorts CVA, Yosemite Mariposa Tourism Bureau, Meet Washington State, Visit Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau (LA Inc.), and Pacific World.
