Convention International I MICE News und Trends aus der MICE – Branche
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 strong representation from Chinese and European buyers for its 2019 event, which will take place at Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi from 25-27 March.
The proportion of Chinese buyers has increased this year to almost 15%, including high profile corporate buyers such as Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical China, HelmsBriscoe Asia, Thyssenkrupp Elevators Asia and Didi Chuxing. Other Chinese Hosted Buyers include China International Medicine Exchange Association International Service Center and World Travel Service Sichuan.
European buyers are due to make up almost 70% of buyers this year, including Framatome (France), Honeywell (UK) and Adevma Communication Ltd. (Germany). Other high-profile buyers at the event include representation from the Azerbaijan branches of BP, Baker McKenzie and OEG Offshore.
A surge in incentive travel enquiries has also been reported by the event team this year, with Hosted Buyers increasingly enquiring about adrenaline-fuelled activities in the region such as Formula 1 experiences at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, as well as cultural tours of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the newly-opened Qasr Al Watan and Qasr Al Hosn.
Sevinge Dadashova from Baker McKenzie is attending as a Hosted Buyer this year and comments: “IBTM Arabia is a chance to discover different types of event hosting and formats, as well as meeting suppliers face-to-face to check detailed information, to feel „how events happen“ in the Middle East, and to find out how I can use this model to refresh our events and to seek new partners for future collaboration.”
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director for Reed Travel Exhibitions Middle East, commented: “We’re pleased with the increased level of interest from Chinese and European Hosted Buyers to attend the event this year. The Middle East remains an incredibly dynamic market, and one where the MICE market is firmly in the ascendant. With governmental support, here in Abu Dhabi we’ve seen the country establish itself as a leading business events destination, and this is a trend being repeated across the Middle East and one which is gaining worldwide attention.
“This is a region rich in culture and we are looking forward to welcoming all our Hosted Buyers and exhibitors to the event for three days packed full of fruitful business meetings, thought-provoking education sessions, exciting networking events and inspiring cultural activities.”
IBTM Arabia, run in partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, is an exclusive one-to-one appointment-led event, which mutually-matches Hosted Buyers and Exhibitors using IBTM’s bespoke ‘matchmaking’ software.
IBTM Arabia features a full programme of pre-planned business meetings as well as an insightful series of Knowledge Programme sessions presented by experts and educators on the latest industry developments.
www.ibtmarabia.com
