Meetings industry technology went mainstream at ibtm world 2016 in Barcelona last week. Many of the 3000 international exhibitors chose to showcase themselves by using the very latest virtual reality technology, videography, giant LED walls and illuminated flooring, just some of the inspiring innovations that brought ibtm world to life.
Thailand 360 used virtual reality to transport buyers and trade visitors on a journey through their culture and hospitality, Marriott took attendees on a virtual reality tour of their brands, Korea gave VR ski jumping sessions to celebrate the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, while Cvent Express created the very first live challenge for buyers and visitors to pitch themselves against each other in the quickest to set up an event website, launch the event, register and print their badge.
Graeme Barnett, Exhibition Director ibtm world: “The inspiration of exhibitors has been unbelievable, and the visual impact of so many live, hands on experiences and attractions have drawn the crowds to their stands. Europalco, Cvent, Hard Rock Cafe, Paris Convention Bureau and Norway Convention Bureau all won stand awards for their dynamic ideas and designs. We want to enable planners to deliver more inspirational meetings and this year we added our own creative spin with ACS designing the Knowledge Village as a big top circus where performances by all of the speakers took place in themed environments.”
Following the roll out of the matchmaking technology at ibtm world 2015, this year for the first time, ibtm world created a Hosted Buyer recommendation system that suggests exhibitors to meet with, based on the business objectives expressed by Hosted Buyers. More than 200,000 recommendations were made with some exhibitors being selected 2,000 times and an average of 82 additional selections per exhibitor.
In 2017 ibtm world will celebrate its 30th anniversary. The event will take place from November 28th to 30th in Barcelona.