Barcelona. The official independent ABC audit confirms that EIBTM achieved a total attendance of 8,131, a record number, establishing the event as the largest gathering of the global meetings industry that is independently audited.
Top line statistics from the record event:
– 8,131 total attendance marking a 8% increase on 2007, made up of 7838 visitors and Hosted Buyers and 293 VIP’s, students and press
– 3,725 Hosted Buyers up over 12% on the previous year
– A 29% increase (over 2007) in pre-scheduled appointments, which topped 51,000
– Over 2600 delegates participating in the education programme – 30% up on 2007
Barbara Jamison, Sales Manager, Europe at Visit London said: “This year’s EIBTM proved to be one of the most successful shows to date. 2,000 clients visited the stand with £54 Million worth of enquiries to date, record visitor figures to both our London destination presentations and to our partner areas.
Ms Tereza Zarogianni, Eventit Greece said: “It’s been fantastic business – no recession here; at least not here at EIBTM.” Mr Peter Bull, Saleslink Marketing Portugal said: “We had 290 pre-scheduled appointments in three days. We didn’t stop. On Wednesday we had 14 signed specific group enquiries.”
Final show statistics show that the largest ever gathering of Hosted Buyers came from as far a field as Australia, China, India, Thailand and the Americas. There was also an increase in visitors from all of the major markets, with over 92 countries represented, including more visitors from Germany, France, Switzerland, France, UK and Italy. The host country of Spain attracted 2810 visitors and buyers – and increase of 36.3% on 2007. Europe represented 89.2% of the total visitor attendance with the remaining 10.8% from the rest of the world.
“These comments and EIBTM’s record figures show not only how resilient the meetings market is in challenging times, but the reputation EIBTM has as the place to do business. To me, it certainly seemed that more actual business was being transacted on the show floor than ever before, “ concluded Paul Kennedy. www.eibtm.com
