Paul Kennedy explains the new trends in our industry

1. Recession, crisis? What is the impact on the meetings and events industry? How are the players reacting and what are they doing about it?

At present the industry remains buoyant and upbeat. We are in the destination marketing business and lessons were learnt after the downturn post 911. Those who invested in promoting themselves flourished when the market improved, whilst those who cut all their budgets found it difficult to regain ground. One of the great strengths of the industry is that it continually adapts to market forces whether economic or political; to listen and to provide clients with what they actually want, not what the industry thinks they want. This robust approach to business will stand the industry in good stead.

Confirming this upbeat view Destination Marketing Association International recently said: “So for the downturn in the economy does not seem to have affected the meeting planners. I don’t think it has trickled down to the point where it effects meeting attendance.”This market optimism is further illustrated by those countries or destinations choosing to exhibit at EITBM for the first time – Los Angeles, Baltimore, Chicago, Bulgaria, Iran, Valencia Convention Bureau, Sharjah, Oman and Madrid Convention Centre to name just a few.

Additionally, countries and destinations that have increased their stand space include Turkey, Turisme de Catalunya, Dubai, Croatia, India, Czech Tourism, Switzerland, Macau and Visit Florida. The US in particular will be making a major mark at this year’s event and it is good to see a heartening economic indicator with both Revpar and hotel occupancy increasing in the US during May.
     

2. What are some of the global trends that we can expect on the industry?
Some of the key trends and issues affecting the industry are still going to be with us in 2008 and onwards. Quality of staff, training, procurement, return on investment, preferred supplier network, environmental concerns and certification and emerging markets such as Bulgaria, Bosnia, Ukraine, Moldova, Baltic States and of course the Gulf and Middle East. The industry will need to be on the ball with the pace of technology development; those that ignore developments do so at their peril.

3. What are some of the must sees in EIBTM this year?
Now in its seventh year, the EIBTM Association programme continues to provide highly targeted professional education and networking for Association Executives involved in the planning of meetings and events. This year the programme kicks off, on Tuesday 2 December at 14.30, with a keynote address – ‘Leadership Challenges within International Associations’ – by well-known leadership methodologist Paul Bridle. Having spent nearly two decades researching leadership, Paul is well placed to comment on how leadership is evolving and how it will affect the meeting and incentives industry in coming years. The highlight of the programme on Wednesday 3 December, after a Networking Breakfast, is the Great Association Debate to be moderated by a panel of association experts. A new EIBTM initiative, delegates will have the opportunity to drive the discussion by suggesting topics on a board the previous day.

Technology Village and Events Service Village
Now in its sixth year the MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM has gained an enviable international reputation for exhibiting some of the newest, most effective technology solutions for event and meeting planners. 2008 is no exception. Many of the products on show reflect the need for quick and effective solutions for event and meeting planners with online event management software, mobile solutions, RFID and other wireless events technology taking centre stage.

One of the newest technologies being exhibited is a webcast solution – conference2web™ – from M Events. This is the world’s first automated webcast solution with no post production required. Other exhibitors include Spotme, the winner of the EIBTM 2007 WorldWide Technology Watch, Delegia AB, ACS EventResult, MeetingMonitor, Parrimark Technology and Shocklogic Global Ltd to name a few. The Events Services Village @ EIBTM, now in its fourth year, showcases the best in support services for events, meetings and incentive travel. Exhibitors represent production, audio visual, motivational and incentive products. Confirmed exhibitors include Drum Café, Parthen, MICEpoint and newcomers Congress Rental Network and ABBIT Meeting Support.

Technology Hour
One of the many successes of EIBTM in recent years has been the introduction of a Technology Hour highlighting the latest technology trends and developments. This year the initiative, sponsored by Eventex – Hive the solution – is to include sessions on how technology will impact directly on attendees, Hosted Buyer and exhibitors; the benefits and pitfalls of using social networking sites and strategies for implementing technology to create interactive events. Commenting on the daily hour sessions Mandy Torrens Exhibition Director said: “Technology is now at the heart of the meetings industry and how we work on a day-to-day basis. The Technology Hour has, in a very short time, become an essential and valued part of EIBTM with its high calibre speakers and challenging debates.”

Seminar programme
Key industry associations ICCA, MPI and SITE will support the EIBTM seminar programme running over the three days of the event. It will feature the launch of the popular annual EIBTM 2008 Industry Trends and Market Share report compiled and presented by leading academic and EIBTM’s Industry analyst Rob Davidson

Spanish education programme
Following the success of last year’s expansion Spanish education programme, which saw 600 meeting planners attending, this year the programme is looking forward to continued growth with professional speakers debating and discussing topical issues and trends.

Welcome Reception and Club Night
No EIBTM would be complete without the ever popular Welcome Reception, taking place on Tuesday 2 December in Hall 2.1, 18.00 – 22.00 and the Club Night on Wednesday 3 December at Club Catwalk, Barcelona from 22.00 – 02.00