Fira, Barcelona, where IBTM World 2023 will be held. Photo Credit: Reed Exhibitions
IBTM World 2023 returns to its home in Fira, Barcelona from 28-30
November. Focussing on the show’s culture creation campaign, the event
will showcase the influence of event professionals in shaping culture
and driving the future of business, said organisers of the event.
The show will include new elements and a targeted education programme
to reflect the changing needs of attendees. The event’s aim is to
provide a space for this culture to grow with purpose-driven content to
optimise attendees’ time and provide growth and inspiration.
Education programme
Its education programme will follow five distinct areas: the Main
Stage, the Impact Stage, Workplace Revolution, ReFuel and the
Associations Leaders’ Forum, with the show’s cultural theme included
into each feature.
Making its debut is The Impact Stage which offers the best-in-class
showcase for the work that Destinations, Hotels, and Tech suppliers are
doing across sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and experience
design.
A speaker on stage at IBTM World. Photo Credit: Reed ExhibitionsDestination sessions will be hosted by The Business Of Events, and
will also feature the launch of the annual Global Destination Report.
Sessions will be fast-paced, lasting less than 20 minutes and in the
form of case studies and best-practice.
Another new addition is Workplace Revolution - a space where
attendees can converse in a relaxed setting with inspirational figures
(including speakers from the main stage), discuss topics in greater
detail, and ask questions. With amenities, comfortable seating and
informal campfire-style atmosphere, it will be a place for people to
gather, connect and experience aspects of business culture that they
might be missing with work-from-home lifestyles.
IBTM’s wellbeing hub will be re-branded to ReFuel. A zen-like pod
will offer attendees time and space to rest and recharge. There will be a
wellbeing bar, sound and aromatherapy healing, and solo working area to
provide respite from the exhibition floor.
The Association Leaders’ Forum (ALF) will return to help associations
increase the impact of their meetings, whilst the Main Stage will host
inspiring figures from within and outside the events industry, taking
centre-stage to discuss the latest topics and trends through
inspirational keynotes, panel debates, and research. New to the Main
Stage will be marketing content, curated in partnership with The Thought
Partnership, which has led content and marketing at Cannes Lions and
Dow Jones.
Exhibitor sales
As of late July 2023, 60% of the floor space for this year’s IBTM
World has already been sold, surpassing this stage in 2019 and
demonstrating a positive outlook for the industry.
Exhibiting destinations include The Croatian National Tourist Board -
a rising star of the European meetings industry; Meet Boston, which is
launching their new brand at the event; and Enit Agenzia Nazionale del
Turismo – which returns with a strong regional presence along with
private companies, and Meet In Ireland, who will return more than 35
suppliers.
Melia Hotels International will launch its new hotel in Barcelona,
and Romania’s Backstage Production Group, a full-service event
production company, will be joining for the first time.
Buyers
On the hosted buyer side, major international associations who are
going include the European Society of Cardiology, International
Association for Enterprise Information Systems, United Networks of
International Event Organisers (UNICEO), World Energy Council, and the
China Electronics Chamber Of Commerce.
Corporations include DELL Tech; Forbes; Intel; Michelin; Delta Air
Lines, Sportradar, Puma Sports, Citigroup Inc, Amex GBT, Aareal Bank AG,
and Zalando.
Event agencies include Aim Group International, BCD Meetings &
Events, CWT Meetings & Events, Helmsbriscoe, HPN Global, Kuoni
Global Travel Services AG, TUI, Opus Agency, Morris Meetings &
Events, and VOYEL.