Home NEWS IBTM World expands reach as new exhibitors join industry-leading line-up

IBTM World expands reach as new exhibitors join industry-leading line-up

Oct 7, 2024

IBTM is set to welcome new exhibitors from across the globe to the 2024 edition of its flagship IBTM World event. The leading international trade show for the meetings and events industry, which will be returning to its iconic home at Fira de Barcelona from November 19 to 21, has already seen significant interest from exhibitors.

Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America, the Caribbean, and Europe are all regions with new destinations poised to make their debut at this year’s event. This includes Birmingham & West Midlands, from the UK. A strong showing from the Asia region will see China’s capital city, Beijing, and the first-ever exhibitor from Uzbekistan, Inter MICE Asia, make their inaugural appearances, while Sri Lanka will be returning for the first time since 2019.

Spreading its wings to take on a stand of its own is Toronto, Canada’s most populous city, while Mauritius is flying the flag for East Africa. From the Middle East, the Emirate of Ajman, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, is attending for the first time, while the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean is preparing for a much-anticipated come-back after five years away.

Claudia Hall, IBTM World Exhibition Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming so many new faces to IBTM World this year, it is a true testament to the confidence exhibitors feel in the value the show provides for them. Our theme for 2024, ‘People. Power. Potential.’, emphasises the belief that what people need to succeed is other people, and our new exhibitors exemplify this wholeheartedly. Their presence will only enhance the industry-leading quality of connections our wonderful delegates find here, and we can’t wait to expand attendees’ opportunities with ever more dynamic and exciting destinations and hotels.”

Making the most of IBTM World’s invigorating new Hotel Pavilion feature, a dedicated space for independent and small group hotels to showcase their offer, is Nobu Hotel Shoreditch London and luxury Japanese hotel, Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka. Also new to the 2024 hotel line-up are Ayana Hospitality, a chain of luxury hotels and resorts in Indonesia. Greek hotel chain, Civitel Hotels and Resorts, and Italian hotel chain, JADA Hotels Collection, will be introducing themselves to visitors for the first time, as will OKU Hotels, a group of luxury hotels across the Mediterranean.

While many new exhibitors are preparing to launch their offering at IBTM World, many returning exhibitors are expanding their presence at the 2024 show. Bruges is almost tripling the stand space it had in 2023. Slovenia and Serbia are growing their stands by 25% and 22%, respectively, while Antwerp will return with their largest representation ever, increasing their stand by 23% following the success of last year’s show.

IBTM Asia Pacific 2025 cancelled

While the interest in IBTM World continues to rise, the organiser RX, has decided to cancel the IBTM Asia Pacific debut in Hong Kong next year. The event was due to take place at the AsiaWorld Expo Centre in March.

“The continued global increase in the outbound meeting and business travel market, specifically from the APAC region and the coinciding growth in international representation at IBTM World has led us to announce that IBTM APAC will no longer take place as scheduled in 2025.”

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