Business Travel Show Dubai growth despite current downturn

Held over two days on October 20 and 21, 2008, at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, the event offered not only the chance for buyers and service providers of business travel to meet face-to-face but also featured an Educational Programme aimed at disseminating related information and promoting topical discussion within the industry.

While visitor figures were higher than last year, exhibitor numbers were also up by approximately 11%, ensuring that visitors were offered the finest business and networking opportunities that Middle East business travel had to offer.

Warmund von Massenbach, Director of Sales - Middle East of Carlson Wagonlit Travel (Alshamel), said:

"The show provided quality meetings and helped with our networking. We support the show one hundred percent and it's very important for us to have a booth at the show. With shows such as ATM and Business Travel Show ... ATM provides the leisure side, and this (BTS) focuses on the business."

Further highlighting Business Travel Show Dubai as a prime platform for business travel networking, marketing and development was the attendance and official opening of the show by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, as well as the attendance of Mr Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Statistics gathered at the exhibition revealed that the majority of the attendees were responsible on one or more levels for business travel arrangements and policies for their respective organisations or companies, 16% of which consisted of more than 1000 employees.

This year's event reported that of the 2116 visitors, 55% managed or bought travel on behalf of their organisations, and 49% reporting that they were responsible for booking travel. While 27% of the show's attendees were responsible for setting travel policy for their organisations, a further 40% set travel budgets. In addition, 18% of all attendees represented organisations or companies from the region with travel budgets in excess of $3m.

Further statistics showed that 73% of attendees have a travel policy set in place for their companies, but for the 33% of visitors who intend to review their travel policy within the next six to 12 months, the Business Travel Show offered all of the required expertise under one roof.

Fusion Marketing Management LLC Media Release Commenting on the targeted platform offered by the event, exhibitors said that it was extremely beneficial to have access to an event that specifically highlighted business travel and the relevant service providers.

The Business Travel Show offered the perfect opportunity to promote corporate travel and assemble the necessary people to conduct effective business and branding. "It's important that what we do is promote our business and the demographic mix of people at this show is perfect," said Steve Green, Business Development Manager - Hospitality of Abu Dhabi Airport Company.

Organisers of Business Travel Show Dubai have already confirmed that the event will again feature on the Dubai exhibition calendar in 2009. In addition to this year's Education Programme which offered discussion panels and keynote speakers providing some useful insight into the business travel industry and possible trends for the future, next year's show and is expected to offer even more, new initiatives to exhibitors and attendees.

"We are already planning some exciting new initiatives and events around 2009's show, which has been confirmed for 26 and 27 October,"said Sally Maltby, Event Director for the show's organisers, Centaur Exhibitions. "Over 2,000 attendees took part this year and the feedback from exhibitors regarding the quality of visitors and networking opportunities provided was positive. Many of our exhibitors have already reserved stands in preparation for next year, and once again, we are certain Business Travel Show Dubai 2009 will provide a unique platform for business travel and meeting buyers from across the Gulf region."

The next Business Travel Show Dubai will take place on 26 and 27 October 2009.