HAPCO: positive messages from IBTM 2015 conference exhibition

The Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO) returned with positive messages from this year's IBTM world exhibition, the leading global event for meetings, incentives, conferences, events and business travel industry, which took place in Barcelona between November 17-19.

The event gathered over 15,500 meetings industry professionals for three days of focused business opportunities with over 3,000 Exhibitors, thought provoking professional education and networking to drive business into the future.

Optimism about Greece

HAPCO participated as a co-exhibitor in the Greek pavilion, providing the opportunity for its representative, Communications Officer Ms. Dora Sgartsou to inform the conference on Greece's conference facilities on an international level.

The interest of visitors and buyers for Greece, as recorded both in the number of meetings held and in the number of participants in the Greek National Tourist Organization (EOT) presentations is considered satisfactory, allowing everyone to remain optimistic for the next few years since demand for Greece remains evident.

Good shape

Ibtm World closed on Thursday riding a growth wave in Barcelona, where the global industry showed that it was in good shape. Illustrating how the good news is spreading Rob Davidson’s annual Industry Trends Watch Report also showed that corporate, association and incentive travel is on the up.

“Connections means everything” was a theme of the week, and with more than 80,000 appointments scheduled before the start of the show, many more were added with trade visitors. This year levels were at an all time high with Spain’s economic recovery helping the boom and adding extra appointments and business opportunities for the 4,000 Hosted Buyers attending.

Until 2020 in Barcelona

“The Spanish economy is clearly on the rise, we knew about it before the show but the stats so far illustrate that the country’s events industry and that of Europe in general is back to centre stage. Many exhibitors have been telling me about the quality of business they are doing with international meeting planners as well as those planning regional specific events in the country,” said Graeme Barnett, Senior Exhibition Director, ibtm world.

With the economics in mind, the announcement that ibtm world will stay until 2020 in Barcelona was met with a great reaction by both exhibitors and buyers.

Clear recuperation

Adel El Haggar, Egypt Tourism Federation commented that “Spain is a big incoming market for MICE so much so there are Egyptian companies that now specialize in MICE in Spain and Latin America."

Hosted Buyer, Rafael Guerrero, Viajes In-Out Travel, commented, “This year I have received more requests from Spanish companies who are interested in incentives. I see a clear recuperation of the sector.”

Spanish buyer Raul de Gregorio of T&C also recognized his own company’s economic growth saying that he sends some 50% of their staff to the show and “we have organized events in more than 8 countries worldwide this year."

Bullish business 

Elsewhere on the show floor international business was bullish. “Although there are now many MICE events, ibtm world is the one that gathers most players worldwide,“ commented Joaquim Pires, Turismo de Portugal.

“The organization of the event is great, the city of Barcelona is great, it works so what’s not to like?” said Gillian Taylor, Director of Business Development for Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. 

Ashley Aloney, VisitFlorida added that they were having a lot of enquiries about their destination. “The quality of buyers is good, our incoming Spanish market is big and we have also seen our destination presentations full."

Several innovations

London & Partners had their biggest stand in recent years. “This year the show has been busy and we have received a lot of enquiries. There seems to be a buzz about the show floor which is great." 

First time exhibitor Global Hospitality Management from Algeria said they were “testing the water at ibtm world, and appointments should lead to business in the future." They also said they had met journalists from around the world. “It has definitely been worthwhile having a stand here," added Paul D’Arcy.

This year saw several innovations add value to both business and networking opportunities. The ACS Knowledge Village was created on the show floor making it inclusive to everyone and designed to really “live” the entire experience. In particular the Spanish education sessions were packed this year. 

 2015 Excellence Award

The global industry also used ibtm world as their annual meeting place by organizing co-located events which this year included the ICCA Forum for Young Professionals, the AIPC Operations Summit, the CIC Board Meeting, JMIC Board Meeting and the Spain DMC Awards, where ibtm world was presented with the 2015 Excellence Award. 

Summing up ibtm world 2016 Graeme Barnett added, "Our objectives for this event every year is to provide the stage for buyers and suppliers to meet, do business and connect through networking. This year the buzz was obvious from the moment we opened. From the Meetings Leadership Summit that saw some 200 international industry leaders catching up pre-show to the networking hour on Wednesday led by exhibitors throwing their own stand parties. We also had a full house for the new ACS Knowledge Village where some 3,000 people attended the 83 sessions. As a team, we focus on delivering a quality experience because at the end of the show there are only two things that matter – happy exhibitors and buyers who leave having achieved everything they set out to do here this week."

Next year's exhibition is programmed between November 29 and December 1 2016.