IBTM Arabia, part of IBTM’s global portfolio of meetings and events industry trade shows and the most established event of its kind in the MENA MICE industry, has announced that its 2019 event is scheduled at Jumeirah Etihad Towers from March 25-27.
The event’s exclusive one-to-one pod format mutually-matches Hosted Buyers and exhibitors using IBTM’s bespoke “matchmaking” software, ensuring meetings take place between people with whom there is a great chance of doing business.
IBTM Arabia, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, is set to bring together exhibitors from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Russia, central Asia, Georgia, Armenia and Cyprus, as well as the UAE and GCC. Exhibitors signed up to attend so far include Cyprus Convention Bureau, Galaxia Tours, Rotana Hostel and Resorts and United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa.
“We’re delighted to announce the first details of IBTM Arabia 2019,” says Danielle Curtis, exhibition director for Reed Travel Exhibitions Middle East. “In a dynamic region such as ours, where so many destinations are investing heavily in facilities and infrastructure as they look to establish themselves in the global M&E industry, there is great demand for an established platform like IBTM Arabia. We provide an opportunity for organizations keen to market their brand, destination or services to a highly targeted international buying audience, as well as creating tailored content for international event planners keen to learn more about the region.”
One of the highlights of IBTM Arabia is its strong focus on networking and cultural events. This includes a “Discovery Day” in which all attendees can network in a relaxed setting to build relationships ahead of their formal business meetings, all while enjoying the sites and local culture of Abu Dhabi. The event’s well-known White Party gala dinner, sponsored by Rotana Hotels and Resorts, will also return in 2019.
“Our 2018 event was a huge success, and we’re committed to building on this as we continue to provide valuable business opportunities and inspiring content through our Knowledge Program,” says Curtis. “We are looking forward to sharing further details of the event in due course.”
More than 2,700 meetings took place during the three-day event at IBTM Arabia 2018, between a select one-to-one group ratio of Hosted Buyers and exhibitors. IBTM Arabia features a full program of pre-planned business meetings as well as an insightful series of Knowledge Program sessions presented by experts and educators on the latest industry developments.
IBTM, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, is the world’s leading showcase for the meetings and events industry with a portfolio of five global and regional events providing business solutions on five continents. They include IBTM World, IBTM Arabia, IBTM Africa, IBTM Americas and IBTM China. For more info, visit ibtmevents.com.
Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism events organizer, with a wide-ranging portfolio of 22 international events in 13 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. Its market-leading, business-to-business events cover all elements of travel and tourism, including leisure travel, luxury travel, meetings, events, incentives and business travel, as well as golf travel. For more info, visit reedtravelexhibitions.com.
