Hosted Buyer applications went live for Incentives and Business Travel Meeting (IBTM) India, and key meetings industry suppliers from across the country as well as those from overseas are part of the growing list of exhibitors who will be attending the second edition, from Sept. 3-5 at the ITC Grand Chola.
Based on last year’s success, IBTM India established itself as a key event in the meetings industry calendar in India and will assume the same exclusive table-top event, which is proven to be a successful format across Reed Travel Exhibitions’ shows.
The event is limited to 100 Indian and international suppliers of products and services to the MICE industry; it is designed to facilitate pre-arranged meetings between Indian and international buyers with exhibitors over a table-top environment at a 1:1 ratio. Additionally, there will be the IBTM India Forum to facilitate knowledge and debate about key industry trends and topics relevant to the Indian MICE market. Exclusive networking opportunities round up this year’s high-end program.
Quest Australia & New Zealand and Quest Asia Executive Director Daniel J. Strassberg will attend IBTM India as an association Hosted Buyer.
“This could be the most important event for 2014 for our members. India, Asia and the Middle East are the fastest and newest market for our members. This is a chance to meet the mainstream, boutique and different venues and hotels, and to explore different ideas and concepts and see things that you would not ordinarily think about. Destination presentations are also very beneficial; having a person talk about their city or country offers a different perspective to any new place. I am looking for a modern unique conference that will bring the wow factor to our event,” said Strassberg.
Successful Hosted buyer applicants will be able to take advantage of a number of exclusive benefits, including a personal diary of approximately 36 pre-scheduled appointments to meet with their choice of up to 100 leading MICE exhibitors from the region and abroad, complimentary flights to Chennai, five-star accommodation and transfers, access to the IBTM India Forum and a number of exclusive networking events.
“The launch edition, hosted in Mumbai, was a huge success. [Ninety-nine percent] of the Hosted Buyers said that they were satisfied with the show, which is the result of our ongoing drive and determination to develop the meetings industry market in India, and therefore , we decided to move the show to Chennai. The city is listed as [No.] 26 in The New York Times ‘52 places to go in 2014’ ranking, just ahead of the Seychelles,” said Shinu Pillai, project manager, IBTM India, Reed Travel Exhibitions. “With an international and domestic airport, Chennai has excellent transport links and is well connected globally. The city is also known for its top rated hotels, which all were further reasons why Chennai is the ideal destination to host the [second] edition of IBTM India.”
Exhibitors already confirmed to attend the second IBTM India include Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Gran Melia Don Pepe – Marbella, Vienna Convention Bureau, IDEE Travel, Liberty International, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, Fairmont and Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Distant Frontiers, Hyderabad International Convention Centre.
For further information, visit www.ibtmevents.com/IBTM-India/Exhibit.
