Reed bucks economic trend with meetings industry events

EIBTM, GIBTM, CIBTM and AIME – Reed Travel Exhibitions’ (RTE) global meetings industry portfolio of events – are proving that the worldwide economic climate is no barrier to growth.

Recently announced officially audited figures for both GIBTM and AIME, on the back of record EIBTM numbers, show the importance the industry is placing on these exhibitions.

The RTE portfolio’s flagship event EIBTM has seen total attendance increase by over 31% since 2006, reaching 8,131. Hosted buyers were up 12% to 3,725, with a 29% increase over 2007 in pre-scheduled appointments, which topped 51,000. Additionally, over 2,600 delegates participated in the education programme – 30% up on 2007.

The event attracted 75 new exhibitors, with 54 booking increased stand space.

GITBM in Abu Dhabi has also seen a substantial growth of 56% since its launch in 2007, attracting a visitor attendance, including visitors and hosted buyers, of 1,693, up nearly 15% on 2008.

A further 158 people attended as media or speakers. This made GIBTM 2009 the largest ever gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf.

AIME 2009, in Australia, also bucked the current climate, increasing its total attendance by 10% on the previous year, with a total of 3,581. Over a three-year period, the event has grown by more than 35%.

“These results prove both the resilience of the meetings and incentive industry and the sector’s recognition of all our international events as places to conduct business, meet new buyers, achieve objectives and drive return,” said Paul Kennedy MBE, former RTE group exhibition director.

“The events are a testament to the need and importance of bringing buyers and sellers face to face to do business.”

For further information visit www.eibtm.com, www.gibtm.com, www.cibtm.com, and www.aime.com.au