As many as 3,000 appointments took place as the international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) industry gathered in Abu Dhabi last month to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ibtm arabia (formerly GIBTM).
Buyers and sellers of Mice products from more than 40 countries met and participated in networking parties, an opening forum, knowledge forum, lunches and dinners. 'ibtm arabia really does provide the perfect setting for business connections. From Discovery Day providing an icebreaker to meet other attendees whilst exploring Abu Dhabi together, to two days of back-to-back business meetings to further those connections and create new ones, to the numerous networking events and the incredible hospitality of the five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers,' said Shinu Pillai, exhibition manager, ibtm arabia. 'Despite a late start, the rapid expansion of infrastructure, commerce and tourism in the UAE has outpaced every other destination in the world. As a result this year we have had a lot of new exhibitors wanting to be part of our unique meeting pod event. We then matched each supplier’s business objectives with the right professional meeting planner resulting in a broad spectrum of hosted buyers from every sector of the industry, said Pillai.ibtm arabia, organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), kicked off with the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau showcasing the emirate’s diversity of business event products and services with a Discovery Day.The hosted buyer community also showed their support for the event. 'This has been the best chance to network in the Middle East, and it has provided a combination of business opportunities as well. I have signed 4 deals,' said Gavril Misios from 7 of 9 Services Cyprus.Esther Romero of Andalucia Tourist Board said of the hosted buyer community: 'We have met good buyers who are looking for DMCs and convention bureaus in Andalucia. It has been very interesting and a great show.'ibtm arabia this year provided 100 per cent new hosted buyers and saw an increase in the total number of exhibitors attending.Malik Shishtawi, marketing manager of Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, added that as a first time exhibitor they liked the 'new closed format which helped us utlilise our time in the best way'. He also said that the event was a 'great networking opportunity and a good way to create awareness about our new venue.' ibtm arabia 2017 will take place from February 7 to 9 next year.