Following its launch two years ago at Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), the Technology & Event Services Village has been attracting new exhibitors who are keen to interact directly with Gulf buyers and planners.

The new comers at this year's show which runs from March 29 to 31 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre include US-based Cvent and Dubai based Matrix Party & Audio Visual Services, said the organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

Commenting on their debut appearance, Rajesh Pereira, chief entertainment officer, Matrix Party and Audio Visual Services, said, 'We look forward to exhibiting at GIBTM for the first time. Having held a strong presence for the last 12 years in Dubai, the international market is very important for us to reach for events and conferences.'

'We are now exhibiting to be able to meet the international Hosted Buyers as well as focus on the UAE market especially the city of Abu Dhabi,' he stated.

Cvent have committed to GIBTM after a putting up a successful performance at EIBTM in Barcelona.

“This is our first time exhibiting at GIBTM at the Technology & Events Village. However, since we work with 35,000 meeting planners from around the world and EIBTM worked so well for us, we are confident GIBTM will provide the same level of industry contacts and meetings for us, particularly from the local Middle East market,” commented Reggie Aggarwal, Cvent founder and CEO.

The visitors at the 2010 event will come face-to-face with a dedicated area featuring the latest technology and support services and products for the meetings and incentives industry, the organsiers Reed Travel Exhibitions said.

And returning to GIBTM, on the back of a successful 2009 are Ungerboeck Systems International and London Speaker Bureau, they added.

Thorston Kolbinger, managing director EMEA Ungerboeck Systems International said the Technology Village was a great location for us and we had a very successful time with some good sales leads and new contacts. 'We look forward to exhibiting at GIBTM in 2010!,' he added.

Graeme Barnett, GIBTM event director said: “Technology and event services are key to buyers as they are crucial elements of a successful meeting, incentive, conference and/or large event. There is no better place than GIBTM to keep up-to-date with the latest technology advances as well as seeing the newest products and services on offer.”

'Complementing the Technology & Event Services Village will be a dedicated professional education programme, divided into three distinct themes – Event Planning Day (March 29); Industry Research Day (March 30) and Industry Trends Day (March 31),' Barnett explained.

All three days will feature discussions on future technological developments and how to use technology cost-effectively, he added.-TradeArabia News Service