Following on from a successful partnership with Kenya Tourism Board, SITE and ICCA that organised the first MICE Seminar to take place in Kenya this month, Reed Travel Exhibitions took the opportunity to update some 50 attendees from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on the upcoming launch of IBTM Africa which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 28-30 April 2014 as part of Africa Travel Week, www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica
Shinu Pillai, Project Manager for IBTM Africa outlined the format of next year’s inaugural event, siting the success of the inaugural IBTM India, which took place in September and was the first 3 day table top event of its kind for the meetings industry in Asia. IBTM Africa will follow this successful format and proven business model that is also used across other Reed Travel Exhibitions’ events. Delivering up to 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers of products and services to the MICE industry through pre-arranged meetings with international Hosted Buyers, this will be the first focused MICE event of its kind in Africa that will also include the IBTM Africa Conference.
Hosted Buyer registration will go live on the IBTM Africa website in December and advance interest has already been significant from international buyers. Through the pre-scheduled appointment system, this event will allow both exhibitors and buyers to mutually match their appointments. Details will soon be announced about the Post Event Tour programme available to selected Hosted Buyers attending IBTM Africa.
Steve McCormick, The Explorer Club, Southern and Eastern Africa was one of the exhibitors at IBTM India and confirmed that they will be part of IBTM Africa as well commented, “India was a first for us and the show was a huge success. The queries and information requested by some quality appointments demonstrated that India is an emerging incentive market interested in Africa. We are also hoping that IBTM Africa will attract global interest in group and incentive travel to The Victoria Falls and the surrounding region”.
IBTM Africa will also feature a half-day conference and seminar programme, with keynote and industry topics.
For further information, please see www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica. For further Africa Travel Week information, please see www.africatravelweek.com.
