DR ROB DAVIDSON HIGHLIGHTS WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR’S ibtm world TRENDS WATCH REPORT

Dr Rob Davidson, Managing Director, Mice Knowledge will present this year’s Industry Trends Report as part of the Knowledge Programme on Tuesday 29^thNovember at 11:45am and again on Wednesday 30^th November at 9am. (www.ibtmworld.com/knowledge).

Rob will show how 2016 has been an exceptional year in terms of significant economic and geopolitical upheavals – of which, in Europe, Brexit is the most notable example, but is far from being the only factor contributing to the turbulent state of markets worldwide and fluctuations in corporate and consumer confidence.

“With the global market environment in a constantly evolving state of flux, it is more important than ever for business events professionals to be aware of the current opportunities, challenges and developments in demand and supply in our industry. For that reason, this year’s ibtm world’s Trends Watch report will once more be enthusiastically welcomed by destination marketeers, venue managers, events planners and all other stakeholders in the meetings and events sector the world over.” Said Davidson

The report reviews the key sources of data for the meetings and events industry in order to provide a snapshot of its performance in 2016 and to make predictions concerning how demand and supply are most likely to evolve in the year ahead. It also analyses the performance of the principal sectors of the economy that are essential sources of demand for corporate events – automotive, information technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and financial services. These qualitative and quantitative data are supplemented by informed contributions from the CEOs of the key international associations representing the major professions operating in our industry.

Based on these sources, the report describes the current state of the market for business events services and facilities as being one that is characterised by concern over the multiple challenges we face but firm resolve to use our ingenuity and innovation to continue to succeed in the face of growing uncertainty.

Commenting on the importance of this annual presentation to the international meetings industry, Graeme Barnett, Senior Exhibition Director for ibtm world said: “This year’s ibtm world Trends Watch report is bound to be of interest to all stakeholders in the meetings and events sector and because of it’s importance Rob will  present it twice so that exhibitors too get a chance to hear the detail and reflect on its impact on their businesses”.