International and regional exhibitors for GIBTM first M&I research launched for the region

Major meeting destinations, venues and suppliers from the Gulf, Middle East and across the globe are to participate in the first GIBTM in Abu Dhabi from March 13th -15th. The event will take place at the new exhibition centre ADNEC.

The global line-up of countries now represented includes Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cyprus, Egypt, Qatar, Sharjah, Oman, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and major hotel groups, such as Starwood, Kempinski, Leading Hotels of the World and Jumeirah, have also confirmed their presence at the inaugural event. Etihad, the event’s airline partner, will also have a presence. Over 200 Hosted Buyers have already applied for registration representing meeting planners, incentive travel buyers and business travel decision makers.

Thorsten Meier, Managing Director of Leading Group Sales, said: “At ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ we are certain that GIBTM will become a key International MICE industry event for this region. Even though this is the inaugural event, we are already convinced that it will exceed our expectations. Following the success EIBTM 2006, Reed Travel Exhibitions have proved that they have a strong commitment to excellence for all of their shows.
The Gulf region is a fast growing destination so we are looking forward to flying in our main MICE clients from around the world to sample Abu Dhabi and our member, the ‘Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers’. We have already spoken to several of our key accounts and they are all looking forward to the new show and visiting the up-and-coming destination of Abu Dhabi.”

An industry wide research study to establish the current and future net worth and opportunities for the meetings and incentives industry for the developing Gulf and wider Middle East region is also now live at www.gibtm.travel. The outlying objectives of the survey, the first of its kind for the industry in the region, are to measure the inbound and outbound flows of business from the supplier and the buyer markets. It will address the current gap in market information and lift the lid on the region’s potential.

Graeme Barnett, Exhibition Director for GIBTM commented; “Following on from one of the most successful EIBTM events since its move to Barcelona, we have had a surge of interest from both potential exhibitors and those wishing to attend either as a Hosted Buyer or as a trade visitor.
We are delighted with the response so far and pleased to deliver an event that will bring together the Gulf and Middle East with international suppliers and buyers to create a vital forum for discussion, networking and education. Moreover, our research will be able to add some clarity for the sector and act as a base for debate and discussion leading up to GIBTM 2008.”

A full exhibitor list can be found at www.gibtm.travel