The second ibtm america that took place in Nashville in June, was one of the best according to the event’s post show survey. Customer loyalty and satisfaction achieved the highest scores and exhibitors confirmed that they met with the “right audience that was important to their business” with over 90% saying they expect to get results from their attendance.
“We look to the results of this research to see what enhancements we need to make for next year, but we are delighted that ibtm america is evolving to meet the needs of the industry. The newly introduced 100% Mutual Match appointment system has given a real advantage for business opportunities between both buyers and suppliers. This was clearly illustrated and mentioned as a key factor for the increase in both Hosted Buyer and Exhibition satisfaction this year” said Jaime McAuley, Event Director for ibtm america www.ibtmamerica.com
Nearly 70% of exhibitors expressed an interest in returning for ibtm america 2017 which will take place at the Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa in Southern Florida (June 14-16). Highlighted as offering a “good return on investment”
Steve Parker, Vice President Digitell Inc will be exhibiting again next year. “We have several promising prospects in the pipeline, our sales cycle can be long. We go into ibtm america 2017 with the same business objectives because the types of buyers I met seemed more interested in our services than those I meet at other shows, so the follow-up response has been very good. I can only credit this to the ibtm process of getting buyers”.
The fresh new format that offers up to 30 pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between suppliers and pre-qualified meeting and event planners offers exhibitors an all-inclusive price for a pre-built meeting pod. All the supplier is required to do is bring their own company branding to dress their pod, and business can begin as soon as the show starts.
Each exhibitor is asked about their business objectives for ibtm america, so that the Hosted Buyer team can then seek the best matched event planner. “Our team will engage with every exhibitor to discuss who they want to do business with. The recruitment will then be based on the information received. This, together with the pre-scheduled Mutual Match where exhibitors lead the way in choosing their appointments and then the Buyer does the same, has clearly positioned ibtm america as a must attend event for the industry”. Added McAuley.
Hosted Buyers who were personally selected and invited to attend also said that the variety of exhibitors that participated in the event provided the “important business opportunity” and the event is a “must attend” for them each year.
“I am here to focus on destinations and venues and I got to meet with who I wanted, but also really loved connecting through the networking which gave me extra contacts. As I am on the worldwide events team I have been meeting people through the networking and socializing which helps to create a spark and that’s another business opportunity as it helps if we want to do that business together! I really did enjoy ibtm america and its been inspiring for me personally as I also got to meet other Hosted Buyers to share their ideas which ultimately helps me do my job even better” added Annabel Heydorn, Herbalife International
