Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), which will commence in January 2012.

The agreement will see PCMA support RTE’s IBTM exhibition portfolio, providing educational content at a series of events in key markets, as well as contributing to RTE’s global hosted buyer programme.

The association will support the delivery of 500 qualified senior hosted buyers as well as provide education and speakers, and its signature ‘Executive Edge’ programme for AIBTM set to take place from June 19 to 21, a statement from the company said.

For CIBTM in Beijing to be held from September 12 to 14, PCMA will also contribute to education and support the certified meeting planner accreditation (CMP). EIBTM 2012, taking place in Barcelona, will see PCMA deliver a CEO-level conference programme, the statement said.

“The IBTM education programme is of critical importance to the industry as it contributes to attendees’ careers, knowledge and learning, at EIBTM this year we have over 100 sessions.  With the input of PCMA, considered the leading organisation for superior and innovative education, we believe that this influential association and its members will add real tangible benefits to all our stakeholders,” said Craig Moyes, group exhibition director for the global meetings portfolio of events Reed Travel Exhibitions.

“Deborah Sexton, PCMA President and CEO, said: “This partnership is a timely and relevant value-ad for our members as they are exponentially increasing the number of events they hold outside the US. Additionally for the IBTM audience, PCMA will deliver the superior industry education that provides additional ROI with their Hosted Buyer participation,” Moyes said. – TradeArabia News Service