Up to 300 influential Middle Eastern and international buyers will head to Abu Dhabi next week for the eighth edition of the Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) exhibition.

The expo takes place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from March 24-26.

According to organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions, the 2014 GIBTM Hosted Buyer Programme has been extended to accommodate surging demand from a regional and international audience eager to identify new destinations, venues and activities.

In 2013, GIBTM welcomed 251 hosted buyers with 67 per cent placing orders in excess of $650,000 each.
“This year’s buyers represent 36 countries including key source markets such as Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, United Kingdom and United States who will attend more than 8,500 pre-scheduled appointments. We continue to raise the bar with this initiative and add value to exhibitor presence by identifying high value individuals and companies who have the region on their business radar,” said Lois Hall, exhibition manager, GIBTM.

This year, major industry players such as Kuoni Events, TE Connectivity, UHY International, Medicongress, Mary Kay, HelmsBriscoe, FEI Company, China International Medicine Exchange Association International Service Center, Contendam and Portigon Financial Services will all take part with a busy programme of meetings and events including a pre-event familiarisation trips within Abu Dhabi and post-event tours in Dubai as well as to Jordan and Qatar.

“The inclusion of fam trips to key destinations within the region is a great way to enable buyers to gain firsthand insight and vital knowledge of the offerings available in these host countries and view the MICE-related infrastructure, venues, facilities and attractions for themselves,” added Hall.

A number of country and themed pavilions will feature prominently, with the Europe Pavilion seeing a 25 per cent increase in exhibitors this year and adding Arsenal Football Club from the UK, Russia’s iWay Express and Barcelo Hotels & Resorts of Spain to the list of participating companies.

Five new countries have also confirmed their attendance as Kazakhstan, Russia, Morocco, South Africa and South Korea join 29 other nations on the show floor.

This year’s event will also play host to Business Travel @GIBTM, with a dedicated Business Travel Knowledge programme and exclusive networking complementing the Business Travel Zone.  - TradeArabia News Service