Industry feedback during and immediately after EIBTM 2005 has shown that this year’s event has provided an outstanding business exchange, exceptional networking and cutting edge professional education, all under one roof over the three day period.
 
Key highlights of 2005 included a stream-lined appointments system that received praise from both buyers and exhibitors alike.

Recognition of the logistical improvements with the introduction of an onsite coach station and shuttle services was noted by everyone, and the extended education programme attracted a record level of interest with sessions full to capacity.
 
Paul Kennedy, MBE, Group Exhibition Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Meetings and Incentives Events comments:
 
“We have received a constant stream of commendation for this year’s event. During the past twelve months we have listened and worked together to enhance the quality of every part of our operation and it has worked. Our new initiatives have been an overwhelming success. We fully intend to build on everything we have achieved this year and will shortly announce more initiatives for 2006.”
 
Best Business:  This year saw a substantial stream-lined approach to the pre-scheduled appointment system for the Hosted Buyer Programme, which greatly decreased the number of appointments being missed and increased business on the floor as buyers hand picked which exhibitors they were visiting.

Over 27,000 appointments were pre-scheduled before the event. Also pre-scheduled, were Destination Presentations where exhibitors were able to present to a group of buyers made up of individuals who had specifically requested to receive an overview of the destination.
 
The high quality of the Hosted Buyers was achieved by a strict qualification process, which meant that exhibitors were seeing buyers who were truly interested in what they had to offer.
 
“We have achieved our business objectives this year, we’ve had good quality meetings with people who really want to know about our country, the appointment system has worked well for us, and we will be coming back next year.” said Ayman Fathy, Director of Sales – Hilton Abu Dhabi/Al Ain, exhibitor.
 
Requests for substantially more stand space next year have also reflected the trust in EIBTM as the place to conduct a high level of international business.
 
“The whole show has been very good for us, this year I took 136 square meters of stand space, next year I have already signed up to increase this to 400 square meters.” commented Panos Argyros, Director UK & Ireland, Greek National Tourist Organisation.
 
“The show has gone very well, the first two days were fabulous, we were fully booked. The organisation and logistics were much improved and we feel we have made some great business leads from all over the world.” comments Michaela Muehe, manager Sales Promotions, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
 
Best Professional Education: This year’s exhibition provided enhanced and extended professional learning opportunities with a variety of seminars, forums and programmes including:

• The Association Programme, designed exclusively for the Association meeting planner was a three day programme that offered workshops, education, networking and appointments.
• Corporate Planners Forum, a comprehensive and high-level programme which attracted top corporate planners globally placing small high-end meetings as well as large events.
• General Seminars, which were targeted seminar sessions aimed at all sectors of the industry, creating an exciting learning and development resource, complimenting the knowledge and experience gained from interaction within the exhibition itself.
• Seminars in Spanish for the local market.

All of the General Education Seminars proved very popular. The launch of the EIBTM 2005 Industry Trends & Market Share Report presented by Rob Davidson was repeated on the final day due to demand.
 
New for 2005 the interactive Technology Debate raised the issue of whether or not technology promotes or inhibits good conference communication, in a fully packed seminar room.

“I have learnt a lot from the workshops, which have been great, first hand knowledge from the experts.” commented Jas Shankla, Computer Associates.
 
The success of the industry’s first Corporate Planner’s Forum has concreted its place for next year’s event.
 
Best Networking: EIBTM 2005 offered even more networking opportunities with something for everyone. This year both the Welcome Reception party and EIBTM 2005 Awards Ceremony were combined with more than 2,500 exhibitors and buyers attending.

Other social functions included a vibrant exhibitor night at one of Barcelona’s top clubs; Club Catwalk, the Corporate Planners Forum Networking Dinner, Hosted Buyer Cocktail and Networking Evening, and a fully subscribed Association Programme function - ICCA’s “No Risk Networking Evening”.
 
 “There have been some beautiful networking opportunities, especially at the evening events and gala dinners, it’s a great chance to meet new contacts.” commented Mani Dahlam, Dahlam Tours, Hosted Buyer.