THE Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) will take on a new name and show format to become an exclusive, invitation-only event come 2015.
To be rebranded as IBTM America, the 2015 show will feature a unique turnkey, plug-and-play solution where a 2.4m by 2.4m standard pod will be provided to exhibitors on arrival, reducing exhibiting hassles and removing additional costs associated with set-up or tear-down, freight or drayage.
A flat, all-inclusive price of US$9,500 will be charged for each modular booth design.
The new format is a result of consultation and feedback from the industry, according to Michael Lyons, exhibition director of AIBTM at Reed Travel Exhibitions.
“Exhibitors have told us that it’s getting more expensive to come to a show because the booths and spaces are expensive – shipping, building and taking down the booth, plus labour and extras,” he said.
“(Exhibitors) only have so much budget and corporate budgets are being squeezed, but there are many more events to attend every year, so they have to make a choice on the best event for their ROI,” he continued.
“It’s not just about taking the money of those willing to pay to be here. This will level the playing field so it doesn’t matter if an exhibitor has a bigger booth. What’s relevant is dialogue and conversation.”
IBTM America will also boast a 1:1 buyer-seller ratio limited to 250 suppliers and buyers respectively. Hosted buyers are pre-qualified and selected for their interest in placing US business, and exhibitors will be from all sectors of the MICE market, comprising 60 per cent from the US and 40, international.
Both exhibitors and buyers will take part in a mutual match system for their appointment diary.
At the same time, IBTM America will do away with hosted buyer functions. In place will be meals, events and networking functions that include both buyers and suppliers, said the event organiser.
Said Lyons: “We realised that sometimes the exhibitors felt excluded and they weren’t getting enough access to the hosted buyers. By making the ability to bring the buyers and sellers together multiple times throughout the course of three days, we will create a community with more touchpoints and bring this down to a smaller, more intimate event.”
Reed Travel Exhibitions, however, will not be introducing this “hybrid solution” to other shows under its IBTM portfolio.
Said Sallie Coventry, portfolio director, IBTM Global Events Portfolio: “Our two table-tops in India and South Africa have been incredibly successful and are an absolute fit for those markets, but EIBTM is our flagship and that’s about ground presence – it’s a different proposition. Every show is tailored to the market.”
AIBTM 2014, which took place in Orlando from June 10 to 12, drew 1,200 buyers and 508 exhibitors this year. IBTM America will take place in Chicago in 2015 and Orlando in 2016.
