His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) will, on Tuesday, March 13, open the inaugural Gulf Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), a three-day event for the global meetings and incentives industry.
To be held at the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) until March 15th, GIBTM is being organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) and will feature over 175 international suppliers from more than 25 countries, over 250 hosted buyers and with some 3,500 pre-arranged appointments already set.
HE Sheikh Sultan will tour the exhibition accompanied by RTE’s Chairman, Tom Nutley.
“This five year initiative has got off to a great start with encouraging international support. It is a specialised showcase for one of the most lucrative segment of the tourism sector,” said Sheikh Sultan.
GIBTM’s exhibitor line up includes airlines, destinations, conference and convention bureaus, hotels, destination management services, international associations, technology providers and travel agencies.
“The launch of GIBTM gives the UAE capital an opportunity to showcase its new ADNEC to some of the most influential buyers in the world of business tourism,” said Sheikh Sultan. “With an exhibitor footprint that spans the Middle East, Europe, Indian Sub-continent, Australia, Africa and the Far East, the UAE capital will be on show to the world.”
GIBTM will also feature a professional education programme bringing together leading international industry speakers on a range of subjects, including how to bid and win international association business. The free-to-attend seminars will run at GIBTM from 9am each morning.
The event will also disclose findings of the Gulf’s first major MICE industry research study produced by GIBTM in association with MICE International.
“This industry-wide research will help establish the current and future net worth and opportunities for the meetings and incentives industry for the developing Gulf and wider Middle East region,” said Tom Nutley, Chairman, RTE.
“The outlying objectives of the survey were to measure the inbound and outbound flows of business from the supplier and buyer markets, addressing the current gap in market information and lifting the lid on the region’s potential.
“The study will also reveal the future potential for the region and opportunities for growth and expansion. The findings will be a valuable tool for regional suppliers looking to target and attract new business into the region, as well as for international suppliers wanting an insight into prospects operating from within the region.”
