Second Gulf Meetings Week to run alongside GIBTM

For the second year the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) will run in partnership with global meetings association Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to create a Gulf Meetings Industry Week, which will run from 29 March to 2 April 2009 in Abu Dhabi.

The week starts with MPI’s Gulf Meetings and Events Conference (GMEC), which takes place from 28-29 March 2009 at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi. This is then followed by GIBTM from 31 March to 2 April at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Both organisations say the events will “focus on delivering a comprehensive programme of education, professional development, new business opportunities and networking to the region”.

“Although details have not yet been finalised, there will be a number of elements that will be retained from last year,” said Didier Scaillet, VP Global Development at MPI. “Over the coming months we will be creating a programme that will tackle key hot topics affecting the industry, such as recruitment, corporate social responsibility, trends and innovation.

“For the local industry, we will include a session on how to do business in the international marketplace, as doing business with the Americans and Europeans is different form doing business purely locally,” he continued.

Meanwhile, GIBTM exhibition director Graeme Barnett said: “Building on the success of GIBTM since 2007 and last year’s first focused week for the meetings industry, we will continue our commitment to professional education with the seminar programme running alongside the international exhibition at GIBTM.

“The programme will provide extensive sessions on topical industry issues, trends, industry research and technology developments. Reed Travel Exhibitions is at the very heart of the worldwide meetings industry, and GIBTM is pivotal for the development of the sector in the Middle East, bringing together exhibitors and suppliers with buyers and meeting planners to do business.”

For more information about the Gulf Meetings Industry Week, visit www.gibtm.com or www.mpiweb.org