IBTM World has announced the results of its bespoke appointment matching process, achieving the same average number of appointments per Hosted Buyer and exhibitor as in 2019. IBTM World 2021 is taking place from 30 November to 2 December at Fira Barcelona.
Furthermore, latest figures show that over 42% of Hosted Buyers so far confirmed are new to the IBTM portfolio, giving exhibitors more opportunities to do business with completely new contacts, and 95% of them will attend IBTM World for the whole three-day duration.
Commenting on the news, David Thompson, Exhibition Director, said: “To have achieved such strong results this year is testament to the hard work and tenacity of our brilliant team, as well as the strong desire of buyers and exhibitors to get back to doing business face-to-face. We’re very much looking forward to being on the show floor in Barcelona feeling the buzz of business meetings and networking taking place again.”
So far, buyers representing 72 countries have been confirmed, with delegates from globally renowned businesses including: Helmsbriscoe, HPN Global – World, First Incentive Travel, GPM, Oriflame Cosmetics, Saudi Aramco, Citigroup Inc., BBVA France, Ansell Healthcare Europe, SAUDI Telecom Company, Ebs, Pfizer, Abbott, Novartis, OP'COM, Donnelly Spire Ltd., Ferronordic, Michelin, General Motors, European Union of Medicine in Assurance and Social Security, China Electronics Chamber of Commerce, Centers for Disease Control, and the European Society of Cardiology. Of the total, 70% are agencies, 20% are corporate and 10% are association buyers.
Exhibitors confirmed for this year include CVBs of France, Monaco, South Africa, Australia, Germany, Estonia, Valencia, and Istanbul; hotel brands Hilton and Hyatt; DMCs from the United States and Algeria; Manchester City Football Club; Romanian tourist attraction, Salina Turda salt cave; Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; Melia Hotels & Resorts; Conference Compass; and Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, among many others.
In addition to quality business meetings, attendees will benefit from the event’s highly targeted programme of education, designed to provide tangible learnings and innovative solutions for attendees in a post-pandemic world, under the theme of ‘New Business, New Tech, New World’. There will be a schedule of sessions around four topical themes: trends and technology; gamification and engagement; the future of event planning (to include discussions around sustainability, safety and security and government support); and career and personal development and will be delivered by expert speakers from the United Nations Climate Change, LinkedIn, CrowdComms, VisitScotland, BBC Creative, and more.
Kicking off the programme, Alba del Villa Olano, an expert in digital transformation and a serial entrepreneur, will deliver a keynote encouraging attendees to take the fear out of digitalisation and how to use this as a tool to grow the reach and impact of their events. On day two, Gian Power, Founder and CEO of TLC Lions, will inspire attendees to use the power of storytelling to grow their business. On day three, Dr Darren Coleman, a brand strategy and experience specialist, will outline how event organisers can win through the power of experiences.
The programme also includes specially curated education streams for association and corporate buyers, as well as sessions as part of IBTM Accelerate, which offers an interactive experience to all visitors showcasing solutions, applications and technologies on specific meetings and events industry challenges.
In addition, IBTM’s Elite Corporate Programme will explore key insights specifically focused on the needs of corporate Hosted Buyers. Themes include: the future of the meetings experience, re-starting events and evaluating their success, and peer-to-peer learning and insights. This tailored programme of sessions will take place on day two and is supported by American Express Meetings & Events.
IBTM World Barcelona has been granted preferred provider status from the events industry Council (EIC) for its Knowledge Programme. This allows delegates to gain Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) points for each education session attended.
All attendees must demonstrate proof of COVID-19 status to enter the event in the form of a text, email or pass to verify either proof of completion of a full course of vaccination (completed at least two weeks prior to arrival); or proof of a negative Rapid Antigen Test or negative PCR result taken within 72 hours of arrival; or proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period. Physical rapid antigen test strips are not considered a valid proof of status. Overseas visitors can show their proof of vaccination card from their country of origin.
Inside the venue, attendees are required to wear masks. As an added layer of security, Hosted Buyers will benefit from complimentary medical insurance and all visitors will be able to purchase PCR testing at the venue should they need to. For more information on the safety regulations at the event please visit: ibtmworld.com/en-gb/help/safety
For more information and to register for the event, please click here.
- Ends –
For all media enquiries, additional comment and request for interview please contact
Becca Krug, Nancy Cremore or Andra Miclaus at davies tanner:
Tel: +44 (0)1892 619100
Notes to Editors:
About IBTM
IBTM is a world-leading showcase for the meetings and events industry with a portfolio of events and products offering business solutions across five continents. The portfolio includes IBTM World, IBTM Africa, IBTM Americas, IBTM Asia Pacific, IBTM Wired and IBTM Connect.
IBTM World, the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, is the must-attend three-day event for the worldwide meeting, incentives, conference and events industry. Thousands of meetings and events buyers, suppliers, and international trade media visit Fira Barcelona every December for IBTM’s flagship show, with over 74,000 business meetings taking place.
Next event: Tuesday 30 November to Thursday 2 December 2021 at Fira Barcelona
https://www.ibtmworld.com/ followed by IBTM World Online, from 14-15 December 2021.
IBTM Americas, the leading event for the meetings and events industry in North America, Latin America, Europe and beyond, is the must-attend two-day event for the region’s meeting, incentives, conference and events industry. Thousands of meetings and events buyers, suppliers and international trade media visit Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City every August.
IBTM Asia Pacific, the leading event for the meetings and events industry in Asia Pacific, is the must-attend two-day event for the region’s meeting, incentives, conference and events industry. Thousands of meetings and events buyers, suppliers and international trade media are expected to visit Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for the inaugural event in June.
Next event: Tuesday 5 to Wednesday 6 April 2022 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
https://www.ibtmasiapacific.com/
IBTM Wired is the newest addition to IBTM’s global portfolio of events and intelligence for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry. The event takes place annually online and unites thousands of industry professionals from around the world for four days of one-to-one business meetings, sparking new connections and renewing existing ones and a programme of live and on-demand education sessions.
https://www.ibtmwired.com/en-gb.html
IBTM Connect is the leading online knowledge hub for the global meetings, incentives, conference and events industry. Established in 2020, it is packed with cutting-edge content to help inspire and educate the global meetings and events industry, with regularly updated industry news and insights, as well as on-demand interviews and webinars with high-profile industry experts.
About RX (Reed Exhibitions)
RX is in the business of building businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate the power of face to face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 400 events in 22 countries across 43 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.rxglobal.com
RELX About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalisation is approximately £33bn, €39bn, $47bn.*
*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investorsShare:
