AMERICAS - Following the announcement this week that Reed Travel Exhibition's Americas meetings industry trade show is to move to Chicago for 2013, this year's show opened at the Baltimore Convention Centre, 19 June, with a 25-session Education Day.

Erica Keoghan, responsible for the expanded education programme, tells CMW the programme this year is double the offering in 2011.

"Professional education and content are cornerstones of the IBTM global portfolio," she said. "This year we have new issues to debate, subjects that will add to the learning for those in the industry and knowledge to share."

The first keynote session was delivered by Baltimore-born Oxford postgraduate Alexander Blass, who spoke on the subject of innovation. He even brought his parents along for good measure.

The start of AIBTM 2012 comes on the heels of Baltimore's patriotic Star-Spangled Sailabration, a seven-day event marking the 200th anniversary of the 1812 war of independence.

"We are so excited to be coming to Baltimore as these amazing festivities and cultural celebrations have been affecting the area," said Jaime Rosov, AIBTM Marketing Director.

Reed claims 1,000 companies are taking part in the show this year and predicts 15,000 hosted buyer appointments.

Director of Reed Travel Exhibition's IBTM Global Events Portfolio Craig Moyes said the partnerships with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE), the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI), were helping to make the 2012 show a larger and more diverse opportunity for learning.

"We are thrilled that there has been so much interest in our 2012 event, which will be bigger, better and more engaging than ever," said Moyes.

AIBTM 2012 runs until 22 June at Baltimore Convention Centre, Maryland, USA.
 
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