EIBTM’s cutting edge professional education programme comprises a comprehensive and diverse series of seminars, workshops and conferences, addresses the latest issues and meetings industry hot topics, underlying the event’s commitment to raising industry standards and encouraging learning and development.
This year’s programme, running throughout the event from 30th November to 2nd December at the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, includes over 40 sessions, with a number of new features and highlights led by renowned industry experts. All of the Education Programme seminars will be evaluated by an online survey, facilitated by MeetingMetrics.
One of the highlights is the annual EIBTM 2010 Industry & Market Share Report session run by Rob Davidson on the show’s opening day, and repeated on the final day. This year, EIBTM is producing a new piece of research, complementing the Industry & Market Share Report, which surveys Planners, Tourist Offices and Convention Bureaux about their business over the past twelve months, their challenges, future perceptions, opportunities, influences of choice of location and business predictions for the next 12 months.
A new Lecture Theatre, provided by ACS audiovisual solutions, on the show floor will have Daily Technology Hours enabling visitors to keep up-to-date with the latest technological advances in the industry. Topics include crisis management and managing event interruptions, and effective use of mobile technology for meetings. Also in the Theatre, a series of daily Spanish seminars has been designed together with MPI Spain for the local market. The sessions will be delivered in Spanish and will include topics such as workplace coaching, creative catering, ROI in event communication and recruiting and building member loyalty.
Another new feature is The Green Room, a seminar area dedicated to sustainability, featuring ‘bite-sized’ panel discussions, workshops and case studies, the sessions will highlight up to date issues affecting sustainability in the meetings industry. Subject areas include implementing and measuring best practices, as well as reporting and communicating initiatives.
The keynote session on the opening day, Brand Leverage – Challenge Assumptions to Strengthen the Output will focus on branding. Pharmaceutical marketing consultant Lisa Hansen and creative director Phil Staff from Brandivity will demonstrate, from both client and agency perspectives, how the theory actually works in reality.
A Women in Business session, Succeeding as a Female Entrepreneur will take visitors through vision and goal setting, building business networks and individuals as a brand, challenges and solutions, and motivation and balancing work-life issues.
On the final day of the show, Peter Pecotic, founding and managing director of Turningpoint Solutions and Daniel Tschudy, renowned expert on global issues in the meetings, event, sports and tourism communities, will focus on China. The session will take attendees through key tips and insights, as well as providing valuable case studies for those considering China for their next Meetings event.
The education programme will also feature sessions in conjunction with the Association, Corporate and Agency Programmes, which cater specifically to Hosted Buyers. Association sessions will address key issues including: future membership models; maximising results when negotiating with destinations and venues; improving participant experience and learning preferences.
Devised for meeting planners from corporate organisations, the Corporate Programme seminars will look at the myths, challenges and opportunities of strategic meetings management and increasing the value of meetings.
The Agency Programme seminar, which will be repeated over two days of the show is specially designed for agency staff, conference organisers and independent meeting planners. This year’s session will consider the value of meetings and how agencies can stay relevant in changing times.
Erica Keogan, EIBTM’s Education Content Manager said: “We are committed to developing stimulating multi-faceted event experiences that go far beyond the show floor. Hosted Buyers and trade visitors to EIBTM will have access to a world-class, comprehensive education programme, specifically geared to helping them focus on the issues that directly impact their sector, while also giving them practical pointers on how to maintain, develop and attract business.
Every year we add new content and hope that the knowledge gained through attending the education programme at EIBTM will have a direct impact on the running and success of their business.”
All education programme sessions are free to attend and the general seminars are open to all. Sessions in conjunction with the Association, Corporate and Agency programmes are open only to Hosted Buyers and places must be pre-booked.
For further information, please visit www.eibtm.com
