EIBTM, the premier international event, dedicated to the global meetings and incentives industry, is set to beat all targets for its new show hosted in Barcelona, Spain from 30 November to 2 December.

With approximately four months left before the event takes place, stand sales for exhibitors to attend EIBTM have already exceeded targets. The event's sales team has contracted over 770 exhibitors, and sharers , across a floor space of 10,200 square metres.

Debbie Jackson, EIBTM's Exhibition Director commented: "The sales figures and early bookings for this year's EIBTM are extremely encouraging. The sales team has been working extremely hard and we have fine-tuned our systems to ease the process for all exhibitor and visitors to attend the 2004 show. These factors and the enthusiasm that exhibitors and visitors alike are showing for EIBTM's new location, Barcelona, has helped us to beat our targets and we are all looking forward to an enjoyable and successful show for everybody involved."

This year's EIBTM has also attracted many new exhibitors, with countries such as Andorra, Lebanon and Vietnam exhibiting for the first time and companies such as Le Meridien and Marriott choosing to return to the event. A number of more niche incentive and travel companies have recognised the value of showcasing their businesses at EIBTM, consequently the exhibitor list for EIBTM 2004 is showing a real diversity with companies such as Fox Treks - the Tanzania safari specialists, Mongolei Reisen - creating Mongolian adventures and The Lapland Connection choosing to exhibit in Barcelona.

Commenting on his company's attendance at the show for the first time Quentin Olhagaray, General Manager - KUONI Destination Management said: "KUONI Destination Management is intensifying its efforts on the MICE Market after almost 100 years in the travel industry and is looking forward to EIBTM in order to share it's core values, principles and logistical services on offer to all MICE related clients worldwide. I am so pleased that we have chosen to showcase KUONI Destination Management at EIBTM as it is probably the most important MICE fair in the world. Barcelona, a truly cosmopolitan city, booms with countless options, combining beauty and culture with state-of-the-art logistical infrastructure - just what the industry needs!"

Over 60 existing exhibitors so far have decided to raise their profiles by expanding their stand space. Germany has increased its space by 340 square metres, Portugal following suit, with an increase of 132.25 square metres and Abu Dhabi by 271 square metres. In addition to beating exhibitor sales targets, EIBTM has found that many of their main stand holders have managed to sign up and register their sharing companies, far earlier than expected, in fact over 600 sharers have been registered to date.

Marketing Director, Pascal Visintainer. of the French Convention Bureau, Maison de la France commented: "For EIBTM 2004, we are tentatively introducing a new concept with added visibility and independence for our sharers. This demands more organisational efforts which have obliged us to start the whole process much earlier than usual as the size of the French space depends exclusively on the number of interested - and committed - sharers.

This year, we have increased our space to 390 square metres from 226 square metres last year. Our French exhibitors are looking forward to the show. They think that the move to Barcelona was one of the smartest moves Reed could make. 2004 is the year where EIBTM can show that it is THE international MICE trade show which will help to ensure the continued support of the French suppliers."