The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition (www.aibtm.com) announced today that Hosted Buyer application submissions for the 2012 exhibition are soaring – up 36% from 2011, with 12 weeks of open enrollment still to go. The Hosted Buyer programme is a highlight of AIBTM 2012, which takes place June 19th-21st 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Centre. Bringing together the world’s leading buyers and suppliers in the incentive, business and corporate travel and meetings industry, AIBTM 2012’s three-day business networking event includes one full day of education and two days of exhibition.
“AIBTM offers an unparalleled opportunity for Hosted Buyers and we are thrilled that there has been so much interest in our 2012 event, which will be bigger, better and more engaging than ever,” said Craig Moyes, Portfolio Director, IBTM Global Events Portfolio, Reed Travel Exhibitions. “We’re tracking ahead of schedule on applications for AIBTM 2012. We expect to have 20,000 pre-scheduled, on-site appointments, with a mix of new and returning buyers. In fact, 85% of exhibitors are returning from last year with 39 new exhibitors for 2012 including: Carlson Hotels, LA Inc –The Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, The CVBs of New York State, Pacific World, Visit Pittsburgh, Meet Washington State, Rosen Hotel Group, Cayman Islands Travel & Tourism, Moroccan National Tourism Office, Long Beach CVB, Palm Springs Desert Resorts CVA, Yosemite Mariposa Tourism Bureau, Salt Lake CVB and more.”
Qualified AIBTM Hosted Buyers will have the opportunity to pre-schedule appointments with exhibitors of their choice, receive complimentary travel and accommodation, attend exclusive Hosted Buyer networking events, participate in pre-show and post-show city tours and enjoy other VIP benefits. AIBTM Hosted Buyer applications are reviewed and accepted based on the number and size of meetings, events, incentives and annual conferences, individual purchasing authority, annual budgets for meetings, amount of business conducted, responsibility for company’s business travel decisions and potential for future business in the meetings and business travel industries.
“Our Hosted Buyers will have the option of participating for either two or three days, depending on their location,” said Hosted Buyer Account Manager, Christine Knox. “We received feedback that our Hosted Buyers would like the opportunity to participate fully in AIBTM Education Day. Therefore, we adjusted our schedule to allow for the most flexibility.”
AIBTM’s close relationships with the industry’s major associations, which have inspired AIBTM Education Day, will also boost Hosted Buyer attendance for AIBTM 2012. This year’s Education Day will kick-off AIBTM 2012 with dynamic conferences, panels, round-table discussions, workshops and education dedicated for Hosted Buyers provided by industry partners like the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE), the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
“The Education Day offered by our industry partners is an added-value for our Hosted Buyers and in turn, some of our partners have committed to bringing in their own Hosted Buyer Groups,” said Moyes. “For example, SITE has agreed to bring 100 Hosted Buyers, while PCMA is on target to deliver 500 Hosted Buyers.”
Multiple concurrent educational sessions during AIBTM’s Americas Meetings Week ensures there are relevant tracks for all AIBTM 2012 Hosted Buyers and all attendees from each sector of the industry with the opportunity to earn CEU credits. PCMA will deliver Education Powered by PCMA, Executive Edge and the State of the Industry discussion and six bite-sized learning sessions at PCMA’s booth. ACTE will present an education track on the importance of face-to-face meetings in the context of business travel while utilizing new technology to best enhance the business experience. ICCA will present the ICCA Global Meetings track, consisting of roundtable sessions and clinical topics on how global destinations can penetrate the U.S. market. SITE will deliver stimulating education tailored to the incentive market as well as host the SITE Young Leaders Program, focusing on the next generation of motivational leaders. MPI will deliver a series of education tracks, which will include the final installment of BVOM (Business Value of Meetings) study, which was launched in 2011 and supported by AIBTM.
Hosted Buyers at AIBTM 2012 will also enjoy an exclusive networking reception on Monday, June 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This invitation-only event will be held at the new Four Seasons hotel in Baltimore.
To apply for the AIBTM Hosted Buyer program, visit: http://www.reedexpovip.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKWebId=0x381a09c.
AIBTM takes place from 19th June – 21st June, 2012.
