GIBTM 2008

Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) 2008 30% increase in visitors expected 275 international Hosted Buyers to take part in the event New Technology and Event Services Village Introduced Shangri-La and Intercontinental join as hotel partners

Following a strong inaugural show in March 2007, Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions is unveiling its plans for the next event, taking place from 8-10 April 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company Centre (ADNEC). New elements unveiled for the event include a move to new halls and even more exhibitors on the show floor, a Technology and Event Services Village, and European Pavilion that will incorporate the very best in convention bureaus, NTOs, conference venues and convention hotels.

In line with the increase in exhibitors, GIBTM plans to recruit 30% more Hosted Buyers with 275 (215 in 2007) from the Gulf, Middle East, Europe and Asia.  A rise in visitor numbers is also expected due to the high profile marketing and PR campaign planned for the region.

More hotels have been added, bringing the number of official partners to 12, to include the new Shangri-La opening later this year, and the Intercontinental celebrating its renovation and now offering eleven meeting rooms, the largest of which has a capacity of 1600. The official hotel partners will offer four/five star accommodation to Hosted Buyers and GIBTM participants. They are: Beach Rotana, Crowne Plaza, Emirates Palace, Hilton, Le Meridien, Le Royal Meridien, Millennium, the Sheraton and The Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi due to open later this year.

GIBTM 2008 will also see more Post Event Tours scheduled following the success and demand for those introduced in 2007. Destinations that have already confirmed their participation include Sharjah, Oman and Abu Dhabi.

Graeme Barnett, Event Director said: “Our second event will have many new ideas and opportunities – the scope of the venue and new developments within Abu Dhabi itself allows us added creativity for the show floor and beyond. With Thailand, Singapore, Kempinski Hotels and ADTA already reserved, we expect the autumn to be very busy for us all. In planning our 2008 event, we have worked closely with our international Advisory Board and Steering Committee of local partners, discussing how we can evolve and further integrate the brand values from our portfolio to provide enhanced business, education and networking opportunities for everyone.  More details will emerge over the coming months.”

Net Tours is once again the appointed DMC and will be in charge of transportation arrangements for Exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and Visitors and Etihad Airways will continue to be the event’s exclusive airline partner.

GIBTM will unite international and local meetings and incentives venues, destinations, suppliers and partners, with meeting planners, incentive travel buyers and business travel decision makers, for three days of networking and business.

All information relating to GIBTM can be found at: www.gibtm.travel.