IBTM World appointments and visitor registration return to pre-pandemic levels

Organisers of IBTM World, which takes place at Fira Barcelona, 29 November-1 December, are reporting visitor registration and pre-scheduled appointment numbers have surpassed 2019, reflecting a solid return to global business for the meetings industry. A total of 60,000 pre-scheduled meetings are confirmed to take place over the three-day event. With visitor registration tracking ahead of 2019, organisers are predicting there will be over 10,000 attendees at the show. Around 2,200 exhibitors are expected from over 100 countries, including 91% of the number of destinations that attended in 2019. More hotels are represented than in 2019, including Accor which will return after a long absence. IBTM World will welcome back Brazil, alongside its 20 stand partners, and Malaysia is returning after attending in 2021. Tokyo Convention & Visitor Bureau will attend with ten partners, including the Japan National Tourism Office and Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau. New Zealand will have a significantly greater presence this year, and Bahrain has increased its participation to promote the new convention centre, Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. On the tech side, Stova will be launching their new brand. A total of 2,200 corporate, association and agency buyers are due to attend, including European Union of Medicine in Assurance 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. David Thompson, event director, IBTM World, comments: “The big numbers we are seeing ahead of this year’s show demonstrate that the industry is ready to do business again on a global scale. This year we have an invigorated show with exciting new formats, exclusive buyer programmes and experiences and interactive knowledge programme sessions. We look forward to bringing the whole world together for three days of meetings, inspiration and connections.”