Asia Pacific exhibitors extend footprint at IBTM World 2018

IBTM has revealed a 23 per cent increase in space taken by exhibitors from the Asia Pacific region at IBTM World 2018. The growth is a result of several new exhibitors taking stands this year, as well as some long-term exhibitors taking larger spaces.

Amongst the new exhibitors from Asia Pacific this year is Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), which will be joined by 12 stand partners including Macau Expo Group Limited, COD Resorts Ltd., JW Marriott Hotel Macau, The Ritz-Carlton Macau and Sheraton Grand Macao, Cotai Central.

Macao is currently one of Asia’s fastest growing business event destinations, with its appeal set to widen further with the imminent opening of a new bridge linking it directly to Hong Kong International Airport, which will make Macao a major gateway to mainland China.

Commenting on the event, the representative from Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, said: “We are on the cusp of a very exciting time for Macao as we look to capitalise on the opportunities presented by massive infrastructure developments that gives Macao the capacity to host the world’s largest business events. The new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao link bridge is the icing on the cake enhancing the city’s accessibility to the international market. IBTM World provides us with an ideal opportunity to showcase to an international audience why Macao is such a great choice for their events. With one of the most open economies in the region and its strategic location, Macao is an unbeatable destination for any organisation looking to meet and do business within Asia.”

As well as IPIM, new exhibitors from the region will include: Tourism Promotion Board Philippines, Hong Kong Tourism, Tourism New Zealand, Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism, the soon to open Rosewood Hong Kong hotel and Hong Kong-based Regal Hotels International.

Returning this year are Singapore Tourism Board and Korea Tourism Organisation, both of which have up-sized their stands; Japan National Tourism Organisation; Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau; Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau; Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, Busan Metropolitan City and Tourism Australia, as well as leading agents and DMCs including JTB Meetings & Events, Thomas Cook China and C&R Solutions China.

Outside of the Asia Pacific region, new exhibitors for this year SIXT GmbH & Co., Global Passenger Network, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, Alternative Athens, Standard Hotels and creative technology company Codemodeon.

Returning exhibitors include Hyatt Hotel Group, Hilton, Kempinski Hotels, Germany Convention Bureau, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, Slovenia Meetings, VisitScotland and partners and Barcelona Convention Bureau, amongst many others.

With Hosted Buyer recruitment underway, the team is on track to secure a high-profile group of event planners and buyers from across Europe, Asia & Australasia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Africa. Buyers already confirmed to attend include Moet Hennessy, Netflix, Bayer US, Diageo, Delta Air Lines – Worldwide Meetings and Events, Motorola, Peugeot Sport, MIA Comunicacion (WALMART), Inter IKEA, InfoWatch, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble, Siemens Ltd. and SONY.

In 2017 IBTM World welcomed almost 3,000 exhibiting companies from over 150 countries, 3,463 buyers and thousands of visitors for a packed schedule of meetings, networking and educational sessions. Over 74,000 pre-scheduled meetings between exhibitors and buyers were arranged over the three days.