(18 March 2014)
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre(ADNEC), the premier events and exhibitions venue in the UAE capital city, is preparing to host the eighth edition of the Gulf Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings Expo (GIBTM)from 24-26 March.
Supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and the Abu Dhabi
Tourism and Culture Authority, the Middle East’s dedicated MICE and business travel industry exhibitionwill gather more than 3,000 industry professionalsfrom around the globe, includinggovernment and corporate organisations, business travel and event management companies, airlines and cruise liners, hotels, resorts and spas, and national tourist organisations.
Over 300 MICE professionals and business travel executives who make budgetary decisions for the participation of theircompanies atinternational conferences, incentivesand conventions, product launches, and staff training events will also participate in GIBTM’s Hosted Buyer programme. Several of these hosted buyers have one-on-one meetings scheduled with the exhibitors.
Abu Dhabi’s strategic location at the geographic midpoint of key trade routes spanning Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and North Americamakes it an ideal MICE destination. Additionally, the emirate is well poised to become one of the world’s leading centres of excellence in business, tourism, hospitality, quality infrastructure and environmental sustainability in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. While the capital city draws significant business tourism, new businesses that have opened shop in Abu Dhabi also ensuresignificant outbound business and incentive travel.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Chief Commercial Officer at ADNEC, said: “As a key driver of business tourism to Abu Dhabi, ADNEC is proud to host GIBTM, the foremost influential MICE industry event in the Middle East for the eighth consecutive year. With the growth of infrastructure as well as touristicand recreational options in the emirate, Abu Dhabi has evolved intoa major international MICE destination of choice.
“Business travelersto Abu Dhabi are quick to see how the city efficientlycombines its culture and heritage with the most modern infrastructural facilities, while integrating the feedbackand interests of its business visitors. The growth of ADNEC as an extraordinary venue thatplays host to many of the important events in Abu Dhabi has mirrored the progress of the capital city.”
Exhibitors at GIBTMbenefit from showcasing their products and services to a dedicated target audience of professionals and corporate attendees from key international markets.At the same time, professional visitors to GIBTM gain the opportunity to learn about latest trends in the MICE industry and explore the best solutions while choosing business conference/exhibition venues. Exhibitors can simultaneously explore the recreational options incities across the world for group business tourism requirements.
ADNECoffers 133,000 sq.meters of combined indoor and outdoor space that maybe adapted to client needs. In 2013, the iconic venuein Abu Dhabi and the largest in the Gulf region attracted 1.53 million people across 328 events, a 9% increase over2012.