The official independent ABC audit has confirmed that The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition 2009 (GIBTM), held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, attracted a visitor attendance – visitors and Hosted Buyers – of 1,693.
A further 158 attended as press or speakers, taking the overall total attendance to 1,851.
This makes GIBTM the largest ever gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf.
The audited figures highlight that visitor attendance increased by nearly 15% on 2008; within this figure, Hosted Buyers attending increased over 5% on the previous year.
Commenting on the official audit, GIBTM event director Graeme Barnett said: “The substantial growth of the event – 56% since it was launched in 2007 – proves that the meetings industry in the Gulf has embraced and recognised the enormous potential in attracting meetings and events to the Region. Our aim, since its launch, has been to drive the development of the meetings industry. The success and growth of this year’s GIBTM shows there is a hunger and a desire for the meetings sector to develop at a rapid pace in the Region.”
Paul D’Arcy, General Manager Qatar National Convention Centre sums up the importance of GIBTM to an exhibitor: “The emphasis of the event is to attract international and regional decision makers and influencers who hold regular meetings to educate them on what the Middle East as a convention, meetings and incentive destination has to offer. This emphasis ties in with our overall marketing objectives.”
GIBTM 2010 will take place at ADNEC from Monday 29 – Wednesday 31 March.
For more information, visit GIBTM
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