Preview
Brave new IBTM World
Corporate Buyer
Programme debut
Corporate Buyer
Programme is a new
exclusive package on offer
by organiser Reed Travel
Exhibitions for the 32nd edition of its
global MICE show IBTM World, 19-21
November.
The show returns to Fira Gran Via in
Barcelona and the Corporate Buyers
Programme is a new offer targeted at
C-suite and senior industry planners.
The programme also gives corporate
event planners an opportunity to
network with peers in an exclusive
setting, and take advantage of an
appointments booking system with
exhibitors if they wish.
IBTM World’s Association
Programme returns and will be run in
partnership with the Association of
Association Executives (AAE). It will
take place on Day Two of the show and
promises expert insights and knowledge
on the key challenges faced by
association event organisers.
This year’s event will also feature a
new immersive hub designed to inspire
entrepreneurial industry talent, as well
as showcasing some of the latest event
technology.
David Thompson, Event Director,
IBTM World, said: “We’re taking a
highly targeted approach to engaging
senior corporate event planners with
our new Corporate Buyers Programme,
as well as building on the new
Association Programme to cater for the
different needs of our audience. As ever,
the show will include a packed
programme of expert speakers,
meetings and networking opportunities,
and we’re looking forward to
12 /
CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD
Above: Barcelona
bound again for
2019 in Gran Via,
the RTE team
has a range of
programmes in
store
announcing more details in due course.”
RTE expects to welcome over 2,800
exhibitors from over 150 countries, as
well as 3,500 buyers. At IBTM World
2018, 77,650 pre-scheduled business
meetings took place over the three-day
event. Hosted buyer registration is still
open for 2019 at: www.ibtmworld.com/
buyers/
Accelerate into a
mentorship programme
“
Influencer
marketing is all
about sending
the message from
an expert point
of view to your
target audience
through the right
channels.
/
ISSUE 102
IBTM World 2019 will also see the
launch of an investment and mentoring
programme for young entrepreneurs,
called the Event Business Accelerator.
The programme is designed to give a
platform for people with an idea,
product or service relevant to the events
industry the opportunity to participate
in an intensive mentoring programme.
It will culminate in a live pitch for
funding to a panel of potential investors
at IBTM World.
Event Business Accelerator mentors
will support the young entrepreneurs as
they develop and scale their ideas, ahead
of pitching for funding to help bring
them to fruition.
The live pitches will take part on a
central stage at the heart of the show
floor on 19 and 20 November in a new
immersive zone, IBTM Accelerate.
IBTM Accelerate will also feature
interactive discussions for the next
generation of event planners; an
‘Influencers of MICE’ series led by
ex-MPI President and Founder of Word
of MICE Mariska Kesteloo; Future
Focus – a series of sessions focusing on
the future of the MICE industry,
curated by Alistair Turner, and the
IBTM World Tech Watch Awards
which will be presented in the zone.
Kesteloo says: “Influencer marketing
is a broad and reasonably new topic. A
lot of people have heard or read about it
(in relation to the Fyre Festival, for
example) but using it in our sector on a
B2B level isn’t yet commonplace...
Education is needed and there’s no
better way than to ask the influencers
themselves why influencer marketing is
so important with so much potential in
our industry.
“We’ll be answering questions such
as; ‘what is influencer marketing?’ and
‘how do you become an influencer/
vlogger?’ There will also be panel
discussions with suppliers and
influencers who have experience in
specific campaigns, as well as with
influencers about the future of
influencer marketing.
“Influencer marketing is all about
sending the message from an expert
point of view to your desired target
audience through the right channels.
Every day you can be in touch with your
desired target audience; it’s not just one
picture or one blog, but also video,
teasers, podcasts and webinars.
“All activities, both online and offline,
can be aligned with your strategic plan
to reach your goals.”