EIBTM, the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, has recently confirmed 90 new Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators (20% increase from EIBTM 2013), who will bring some of the world’s most senior buyers to this year’s event, which will take place in the meetings business and tourism destination of Barcelona (18–20 November, 2014). Joanna Warr, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Hosted Buyer Manager, EIBTM commented, “Fundamental to the success for our exhibitors is the quality of buyers attending and we have a year round job to seek out new faces and new Group Coordinators to help with the process. As part of the business development for the event, the team now has more than 400 Group Coordinators worldwide. We have seen a huge increase in new groups coming on board from Europe, with 57 signed up to date. Our team has also recruited an additional 33 long haul groups for the show this year. “In terms of long haul Hosted Buyer groups, we are delighted to confirm that we have more who have confirmed their attendance from Brazil, including Leading Hotels of the World, Mondo Travel Marketing, GI Grupo de Incentivo and Kontik Franstur. We have also recruited a further 5 groups from India and 5 new groups from the Middle East, who will attend in addition to the 72 groups whom we already accommodate.” EIBTM have also established relationships with a number of new groups participating from the UK, with Hosted Buyers invited by Wedgewood, Hotel Republic Limited, Evintra, Ultimate Project Group, Great Hotels of the World and Global DMC Partners. Joanna Warr continues, “The increase in buyer interest we have witnessed this year is a huge testament to the success of the programme and the value it provides for each of the buyers attending and the Group Coordinators who bring them. A lot of the new groups we have attending this year are extensions on groups brought in previous years who are reaching out to new markets. We are working with each of our Group Coordinators to help them extend their global buyer network and to build stronger relationships.” For the 2014 show, Hyatt Hotels have confirmed that they will be bringing an additional three groups from USA, UK and France to the show. Kuoni have also confirmed they will be bringing additional groups from Germany, France, Mexico and Russia and Hilton will extent their reach to individual European countries as well as Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Hosted Buyers who are successful in the application process for EIBTM 2014 will receive:
• A personalised diary of pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors of their choice
• Professional education programme suited to individuals needs
• Complimentary return flights and/or train from an extensive choice of ports
• Complimentary accommodation in one of Barcelona’s best 4/5* hotels
• Access to a number of networking events
• Complimentary transfers to and from the exhibition, networking and events
• Access to exclusive Hosted Buyer lounges situated on the show floor.
• 3.5 day post event tours to different destinations in Europe
Hosted Buyer applications are reviewed and accepted based on the number and size of meetings, events, incentives and conferences they purchase annually, individual purchasing authority, their annual budget for meetings, events and incentives, the value of their recent business booked and potential for future business in the meetings and business travel industries.
