With less than a week to go until the opening of the Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) World exhibition, being held from November 29-December 1 at Fira de Barcelona, visitor registration and pre-scheduled appointment numbers have now surpassed 2019 levels.
During the three-day event, 60 000 pre-scheduled meetings are confirmed to take place, the highest number of appointments per attendee at IBTM World ever. This number is still set to increase as diaries are now open, allowing exhibitors to send invitations to buyers.
Over 10 000 attendees are expected at the show, which will feature 2 200 exhibitors from over 100 countries. Of the destinations that attended in 2019, 91% are returning this year.
More hotels are represented this year than in 2019, including Accor, which returns after a long absence. IBTM World will also welcome back Brazil, alongside its 20 stand partners, and Malaysia.
Representing Japan, the Tokyo Convention and Visitor Bureau will attend with 10 partners, including the Japan National Tourism Office and Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau.
New Zealand will have a significantly greater presence this year, while Bahrain has increased its participation to promote its new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
IT company Stova will launch its new brand alongside a number of new key tech exhibitors.
Attendees will include 2 200 prestigious corporate, association and agency buyers, among them European Union of Medicine in Assurance and Social Security (EUMASS), Pfizer, COSMOPOLIS, International Stereoscopic Union, SAUDI Telecom Company, UNICEO (United Network of International Corporate Events Organisers), The British Pain Society, Maritz Global Events, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Citigroup, and CWT Meetings and Events.
“The big numbers we are seeing ahead of this year’s show demonstrate that the industry is ready to do business again on a global scale. This year we have an invigorated show with exciting new formats, exclusive buyer programmes and experiences and interactive knowledge programme sessions,” says David Thompson, Event Director of IBTM World.
