More than 100,000 connections were made at IBTM World 2022

IBTM World, which this year explored the connection between events and culture

IBTM World, which this year explored the connection between events and culture, closed today (December 1, 2022) with more than 100,000 business meetings and more than 10,000 attendees gathered in Barcelona during the three days of the event

IBTM World 2022 investigated how the technology we use, the experiences we create and the destinations we visit create limitless cultures for businesses and incredible potential for events.

More than 2,200 exhibiting companies from 150 countries around the world attended, including the CVBs of Spain, Ireland, Brussels, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain, Canada, Miami, Las Vegas and Boston, as well as Meliá Hotels. and Barceló Hotels.

More than 3,500 high-quality buyers were present, with the assistance of Hosted Buyers from prestigious companies, associations and agencies, including the European Union of Insurance Medicine and Social Security (EUMASS), Pfizer, COSMOPOLIS, International Stereoscopic Union, SAUDI Telecom Company, UNICEO (United Network of International Corporate Events Organisers), The British Pain Society, Maritz Global Events, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citigroup inc., and CWT Meetings & Events.

Commenting on his experience at IBTM World, Zinhle Nzama, Acting Director of the Convention Bureau at the South African National Convention Bureau, said: “One of the key points so far is collaboration and partnerships. We have had conversations with other convention bureaus on the continent about how we can partner to keep business in the region, before it goes out into the world. Many of the meetings that have taken place at the stand have resulted in business contacts. We continue to see how face-to-face interactions are a must at business events.”

Matthias Widor, Cluster General Manager, Kigali Marriott Hotel/Four Points by Sheraton, said: “It’s great to have face-to-face meetings again, especially after the last two and a half years. The quality of buyers is very high, and we were able to sign deals on the show floor with more warm leads to follow up. Attending IBTM World is important for building trust in the industry and selling an exciting new destination like Rwanda is easier to do in person. We will definitely come back and recommend it to colleagues as well.”

Ron Williams, Business Development Manager, TBEX Conferences LLC, said: “IBTM is one of the best shows I have ever attended. You can meet up with the people you want to meet up with and have impromptu meetings with people you didn’t have a chance to make an appointment with. People are relaxed and it’s easy to get around, plus it’s in Barcelona, ​​which is awesome!”

Cynthia Vercruysse, Ansell Trade Shows and Events Marketing Manager, said: “I am really surprised by the organization of this event. It brings together so many interesting destinations, places, experienced people and insightful information, all in one place.”

Brendan Gormley, Events Manager, Events Manager, BBC, said: “A huge choice of destinations to meet. The organization seemed very fluid and the city of Barcelona very welcoming. I had so many back-to-back meetings that it’s been great.”

This year, the Forum of Association Leaders and the Day of Corporate Experiences took place in exciting places in Barcelona. Corporate Experiences Day, a personalized learning day for Corporate Buyers, provided an interactive look at the latest technology and sustainability developments within the events industry. The Association Leaders Forum, curated by Stylianos Filopoulos, Expert in International Associations, considered the role that associations play in our changing world.

In association with ACS, the IBTM Global Awareness Program was well attended with interactive sessions centered on the event’s central theme of ‘creating culture’, including sessions on connections, business, careers, brands and experiences.

During IBTM World, various sessions revealed the latest market trends and insights, including the Global Meetings & Events Trends report presented by AMEX. In addition, the annual IBTM World Trends Watch report, presented by its author, Alistair Turner, MD of Eight PR, explored how current world events are shaping culture, influencing both the events we create and the people who attend them. they. A preview of the 2023 Trend Report is now available for download on the IBTM World website.

The highly anticipated Booth Awards returned this year with awards to Visit Norway / Norway Convention Bureau, which won Best Booth Feature; Graduate Hotels / Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts took home the award for Best Booth; Isla de Menorca DMC awarded as Best Cultural Campaign; Abu Dhabi received the award for Best Large Stand and Atout France for Best Stand Staff.

During the event, IBTM announced that it has signed a new three-year contract with the Barcelona Convention Bureau and Fira de Barcelona for which IBTM World will take place in the city up to and including the 2025 edition. The new contract builds on the existing 18-year relationship between the three organisations, with the next edition confirmed at Fira Gran Via on November 28-30, 2023.

Commenting on the event’s close, David Thompson, IBTM’s Global Director of Events, said: “IBTM World 2022 has been a fantastic success, exceeding all of our expectations with more quality individual business meetings per attendee than in 2019. It was great. receiving feedback on the show floor that there is so much interest in doing business that many exhibitors and buyers have already scheduled additional meetings for the next few weeks. There has been a real sense of excitement and we are looking forward to returning to Barcelona in 2023.”

Source: IBTM