Face to face with GIBTM Event Manager Lloyd Kenyon
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
ABOUT THE SHOWQ: Why is GIBTM of interest to the travel agency community in the Gulf?A: GIBTM is helping to establish the meetings and events industry in the region. We know that companies look to a travel agent to arrange their travel, venue and accommodation for meetings. We want these travel agents to visit GIBTM so they can gain knowledge about the meetings profession, be inspired by new destinations, hotels, venues and suppliers. Agents should take a look at www.gibtm.com to view the types of exhibitors attending.At the same time, GIBTM has the most in-depth seminar programme for the meetings industry – one which will help travel agents develop their business to meet the needs of their clients whether inbound to the Gulf or regionally. Full details will available on the website over the next few months. Q: How many a) exhibitors b) visitors attended GIBTM 2010 and how did this compare to previous years? A: More than 245 companies exhibited at GIBTM in 2010 and 261Hosted Buyers (10% up on 2009) and 1499 trade visitors attended, which was a 3% increase on the 2009 figure. Q: What trends did you note at last year’s show? A: Firstly, there was a steady increase in attendance with record numbers of Hosted Buyers and visitors. The overall attendance (excluding exhibitors) was 1916, which makes GIBTM the largest ever gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf. The substantial growth of the event (56% since it was launched in 2007), proves that the meetings industry in the Gulf has embraced and recognised the enormous potential in attracting meetings and events to the region. In addition, GIBTM attracted the largest ever attendance for its educational programme last year, with more than 200 regional and international attendees.Our aim, since its launch, has been to drive the development of the meetings industry. The success and growth of this year’s GIBTM illustrates there is a hunger and a desire for the meetings sector to develop at a rapid pace in the region. Q: What are your targets for exhibitor and visitor numbers this year? What sectors and regions will you look to in order to boost numbers?A: GIBTM 2011 aims to attract more than 2000 industry professionals, 300 Hosted Buyers and more than 250 exhibiting companies. Some of the exhibitors already confirmed include Meet Taiwan, Silversea, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Seoul, Sharjah, Economic Department, Ras Al Khaimah and Ferrari World.Q: What was a) successful at the show b) needs to be improved and why?A: Success for GIBTM and every other Reed Travel Exhibitions meetings and events portfolio exhibition is judged by the testimonials from those participating, the business achieved by suppliers, trade visitors and Hosted Buyers and through the growth of the show year on year. Paul D’Arcy, General Manager, Qatar National Convention Centre, said: “The emphasis of the event is to attract international and regional decision makers and influencers who hold regular meetings to educate them on what the Middle East as a convention, meetings and incentive destination has to offer. This emphasis ties in with our overall marketing objectives.” We will continue to build on the previous successes and make new innovative features and continue to evolve the education programme in order to ensure GIBTM is the annual show for the meetings industry in the Middle EastQ: What trends do you predict at next year’s show? A: Once again we will be undertaking the GIBTM Annual Middle East Industry Survey, which provides valuable insights into the developing meetings industry across the Gulf and wider Middle East. The report this year predicted significant growth potential, with increased numbers of events using a wider range of destinations. Q: What’s new for the 2011 installment?A: We’re looking to develop our existing comprehensive Professional Education Programme. This allows visitors to learn from the professionals and extend industry knowledge by attending the free seminar sessions, suitable for all levels of attendees from the business travel and meetings (MICE) sectors.This is, of course, in addition to the top venues, hotels and destinations, and range of networking events that GIBTM delivers. Q: In your view, how will the region’s meetings industry perform in 2010/2011 from both a venue and a buyer perspective?A: We look to our survey to deliver this information - it is the only one of its kind and has become a valuable resource to track trends and predictions for both inbound and outbound business. Q: What’s the long-term potential for the region’s meetings industry?A: We believe the thirst for education will boost the GIBTM Education Programme. The industry research will become even more valuable as the industry develops. The abundance of venues will help to grow the sector, and the importance of the region within the global economy will drive meetings and events. For our clients, the following quotes demonstrate just how important GIBTM is to their business:Toufic Tamim, Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Movenpick: “More than 25 percent of our business segment is related to MICE, and it is crucial that we have excellent MICE facilities and promotions that will enable us to maintain and improve our market share. GIBTM enables us to meet the right people, to publicise our offering, to research new partnerships and new services and to keep abreast of what our competitors are offering.”Vassilis Theocharides, Director Middle East, Cyprus Tourism Organisation: “We have been supporting the GIBTM from its creation and we believe this exhibition is helping the MICE market from the MENA region to mature, as it offers the opportunity for the trade to educate itself on this lucrative and demanding special interest industry.” Thorsten Kolbinger, Managing Director, Ungerboeck Systems International GmbH EMEA: “GIBTM is an important industry event for us because we see the Middle East market offering high potentials due to its growing meeting community. GIBTM is the ideal place to meet all the relevant people in one place. We already exhibited there very successfully the last four years and do not want to miss the opportunity to exhibit again in 2010.” ABOUT LLOYDQ: What’s your background and experience in the events industry?A: I previously worked for Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) in Dubai for five years – I opened RTE’s office in Dubai Media City in 2005. In this position, I played a major role in the development and growth of Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Q: What was your job before you joined Reed Travel Exhibitions? A: Most recently I was Project Manager for Dubai World Trade Centre Events and Exhibitions Department.Q: What appealed to you about your new role? A: This is an extremely exciting time to take on the role of Exhibition Manager for GIBTM. The event is firmly established within the Gulf, and is in an excellent position to drive and shape an expanding sector from both regional and international exhibitors’ perspective, while attracting even more regional trade visitors and Hosted Buyers.Q: How will you make your mark on the show? A: By being part of a dedicated team in the Middle East that will achieve both our objectives and those of our stakeholders. We will continue to build and evolve both GIBTM and the meetings industry, and provide an event that delivers outstanding business-to-business opportunities, essential networking, and professional education.
Comments are closed.