NEW DATES, NEW CITY, NEW EXHBITION VENUE AND A NEW EVENT

The decision to move EIBTM from Geneva to the trendy Mediterranean city of Barcelona, and change the timing of the show, was a difficult one. But Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is confident the changes will be extremely beneficial to exhibitors and visitors alike.

The search for a new venue for EIBTM was supported by RTEs' own independent research, carried out amongst exhibitors, group co-ordinators, Hosted Buyers and other trade visitors. Since the announcement that EIBTM 2004 will be held in Barcelona, they have all rated the Spanish cultural city as an "outstanding choice".

RTE's research also showed that April and May are the busiest months, whereas November to December are the "most convenient times for an industry event".

So, backed by research findings, the 17th EIBTM, the worldwide leading event for the Meetings and Incentive industry, will take place from 30 November to 2 December 2004 in the lively metropolis of Barcelona.

Barcelona is a first class conference location, with a range of four and five-star hotels, a good transportation network, outstanding restaurants, dynamic and exciting attractions, an atmosphere all of its own and a great nightlife.

According to UIA statistics (Union of International Associates) for 2001, Spain has the sixth largest share of the international meetings business in the world, worth 1.441m euros. The outgoing Spanish market is estimated to be worth 30m euros.

For 2002, ICCA predicts Spain will have a market share of 5.8%. This compares favourably with Germany, for example, which is expected to have 5.2% market share for 2002.

According to ICCA, Spain was in third place last year in terms of participants and Barcelona, in the first place for total number of meetings. With 44,408 visitors, Barcelona was in fifth place of the "world's top meeting and incentives cities", after Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Seoul.

Airy Garrigosa, director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, member of the ICCA Board of Directors and chairperson of ICCA's Category D, is looking forward to welcoming visitors to EIBTM.

"To win a bid is always a great achievement but to do so for EIBTM is terrific. I am very proud of my city," she said.

The new exhibition venue with a total space of 250,000 sq m and two million visitors a year is one of the leading trade fair venues in the Mediterranean. The new EIBTM location is the "Montjuic 2" which was purpose built for trade fairs, using the latest state of the art technology.

The complex offers around 111,000 sq m of exhibition space, multipurpose conference rooms, and an auditorium for 456 delegates. In addition, there are permanent catering services. The buildings can accommodate individual conferences and business or association seminars, organised in tandem with EIBTM 2004.

EIBTM 2004 will also incorporate "Tecnomeeting", a three-day annual business exhibition catering for the congress, convention and incentive industry, previously held in June in Barcelona.

"Tecnomeeting has become an important event and we are delighted that its name will be known from now on as part of EIBTM, " said Tom Nutley, RTE's managing director. "It is a significant event that has made an effective business contribution to the industry, particularly for the Spanish speaking market."

The official carrier for EITBM 2004 is Iberia, who will offer exhibitors and trade visitors discounted airfares.

"Together with its undoubted charm, Barcelona has all the necessary criteria and facilities for helping us to stage an innovative, effective and enjoyable global event at an unprecedented level," said Nutley.