Abu Dhabi to host 'GIBTM' exhibition

The Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) exhibition is gearing up for major business as it returns to Abu Dhabi on 24-26 March this year. Held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event is claiming an expanded remit and enhanced calendar of business networking opportunities. According to Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), the 2013 edition of GIBTM saw 251 Hosted Buyers attend with 67 per cent placing orders in excess of US$650,000 each. This year the organiser has extended the Hosted Buyer Programme offering to accommodate more than 300 Hosted Buyers. RTE has anticipated that the show will generate around 8,500 pre-scheduled business appointments between Hosted Buyers and exhibitors. Key exhibitors confirmed include: Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Qatar Tourism Authority and Kingdom of Bahrain Tourism Sector, Ministry of Culture. In 2013, a total of 7,207 pre-scheduled appointments brought Hosted Buyers and exhibitors together, with 2,364 total visits and 302 exhibiting companies representing 35 countries. Lois Hall, GIBTM event manager at RTE, said: "The feedback we have received from last year and 99 per cent satisfaction rate recorded post-show has been extremely encouraging and as a result of the growing demand, we have extended the Hosted Buyer allocation to over 300 buyers this year."