All across LinkedIn, event planners, venue operators and MICE industry professionals uploaded photos of their time at the showfloor using the #ibtmworld hashtag. Photo Credit: IBTM
IBTM World Barcelona, the first face-to-face event in the IBTM
portfolio in two years, has wrapped up to the tune of more than 30,000
pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings, more than 1,400 buyers and
some 1,200 exhibitors from 72 countries over three days.
According to organiser Reed Exhibitions, the show had in fact matched
the same average number of appointments per hosted buyer and exhibitor
as in 2019 — with more than 42% of the buyers additionally joining as
first timers, and 95% indicating to stay throughout 30 November to 2
December at Fira Barcelona.
Under the theme of ‘New Business, New Tech, New World’ there was a
schedule of educational sessions around four topical themes: Trends and
technology; gamification and engagement; the future of event planning;
and career and personal development, delivered by expert speakers from
the United Nations Climate Change, LinkedIn, CrowdComms, VisitScotland,
BBC Creative and more.
All across LinkedIn, event planners, venue operators and MICE
industry professionals uploaded photos of their time at the showfloor
using the #ibtmworld hashtag.
Anna-Maria Chatzidaki, Marketing Manager at the Athens Convention
& Visitors Bureau, described the "thrill to be where the future of
international events is shaped, an inspiration to watch physical
presentations again and — most importantly — a precious feeling to
finally meet with amazing colleagues, partners and collaborators".
While footfall has been lower than previous editions "as expected",
Nick Tinker, Sales Manager at Event Solutions, Cvent attested to an
overall positive experience, and a fantastic quality of meetings.
"We’ve had a positive experience overall, for one, the fact that
everyone’s here proves how much we’ve been longing to come back together
for in-person events. The footfall has been lower...but that’s allowed
us to have higher quality meetings, have more time to build
relationships and make new connections. This has also meant that buyers
did make an effort to speak with as many exhibitors and make the most of
their attendance," said
Tinker.
Ben Myatt Trenholm, Director Speakers and Conferences at Thinking
Heads who clocked 36 meetings in three days said: “Three years ago I
didn’t have time to speak to all the people I wanted to speak to in the
timeframe I was given, so this year it has been much more meaningful to
have full 20-minute conversations explaining to my prospective clients
exactly what we do, and they also had the opportunity to explain what
exactly they need.”
Up next is the post-event virtual component, slated to run from 14-15
December, catering to event professionals unable to meet face-to-face
in Barcelona.