The Middle East's only trade exhibition dedicated to the vital business tourism (MICE) industry, GIBTM - which runs until 2nd April at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) - has seen record growth across the board this year, with visitor pre-registration currently up 20% and floorspace bookings increasing by 15% over 2008.
ADTA, which is a strategic partner, supporter and host of GIBTM, believes this year's enhanced show offering, diverse exhibitor base and increased business activity will serve as an important conduit for the Middle East to progress viable business tourism opportunities.
"To see GIBTM achieve this type of growth at anytime would be impressive. However, given the current economic climate, these increases serve as a clear indication of the region's wide appeal in the international business tourism arena," said HH Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon.
"From our perspective, the show is critical in fostering enhanced business relationships for Abu Dhabi internationally. It represents a dual-pronged opportunity to increase both Abu Dhabi's proposition as a premier business tourism destination and to foster strategic partnerships and alliances.
"For our visitors and exhibitors GIBTM is a decisive industry platform to discuss and debate key trends which lay at the foundations of the sector's continued growth."
ADTA has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to optimise GIBTM's business potential with a number of key initiatives targeting the expected 2,500 meeting professionals dovetailing the three-day event.
At the core was ADTA's 'Abu Dhabi Day' - a tailored programme to demonstrate the emirate's diverse tourism offerings to 120 major international buyers, which took place on March 30th.
Abu Dhabi Day's principal aim was to increase understanding of the emirate's tourism proposition so top-tier industry decision makers are better informed to sell the destination to domestic corporate clients.
The buyers were led, for the first time, by more than 22 Emirati students from Abu Dhabi's Zayed University as they went on a whistle-stop tour of the emirate's flagship projects, including Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace Hotel and its Saadiyat Cultural District exhibition and Yas Island - the home of the country's debut Formula One Grand Prix in November.
GIBTM which is organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions and boasts 232 exhibitors, including 13 new-to-market showings is part of a week Abu Dhabi has dedicated to the meetings industry.
The seven day programme kicked off on March 28th with the two day Gulf Meetings and Events Conference (GMEC).
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HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon to open largest ever GIBTM
- United Arab Emirates: Monday, March 30 - 2009 at 11:13
- PRESS RELEASE
HH Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority the apex body which governs the emirate's tourism industry will on Tuesday officially open the UAE capital's largest ever Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings (GIBTM) event.
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Notes and media contacts
Full details and registration can be found at www.gibtm.com.For further information: Sam Dulka, MCS/Action, UAE.
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
Fax: +9714 390 8161
GIBTM Website: www.gibtm.com
Reed Travel Exhibitions website: www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
• The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) is the leading exhibition dedicated to the Meetings, Incentive Events and Business Travel Industry in the Gulf and wider Middle East region, staged annually in the exciting and developing destination of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
• GIBTM is ABC Audited every year to guarantee that the number of visitors promoted is completely accurate and are unique attendees only.
• GIBTM brings together regional and international buyers and suppliers for three days of business, networking and professional education and aims to be the driver behind the development of the meetings industry across the region.
• GIBTM forms part of the RTE portfolio of Global Meeting and Incentive Events along with EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), CIBTM (www.cibtm.com), AIBTM (www.aibtm.com) AIME (www.aime.com.au), and the ICCA Exhibition in association with the ICCA Congress (www.iccaworld.com).
• Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADNEC, NCC and Etihad are all exclusive partners for GIBTM 2009. Meetme, published by NPI, is a global media partner and official publication for the show.
• For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions' website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
• Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organiser. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 39 fully staffed offices.
• Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, building & construction, electronics, energy, engineering, entertainment, environment, food & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT, jewellery, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, property, manufacturing, medical education, packaging & converting, printing & visual communication, security, sports & recreation, travel.
• Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.
• Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million.
• GIBTM will again be working in partnership with MPI's Gulf Meetings and Events Conference taking place in Abu Dhabi, 28-29 March 2009. The two events form the Gulf Meetings Week providing a week long platform for education, networking and marketplace development.
• Etihad Airways is the exclusive official airline for GIBTM 2009. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 50 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Etihad has been appointed official carrier for GIBTM until 2011. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: + 971 (0) 2 505 8317 / 8573 visit www.etihadmediacentre.com
Posted by Lara Lynn Golden, News EditorMonday, March 30 - 2009 at 11:13 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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