GIBTM 08: Increase in Exhibiting Companies

GIBTM 08: GIBTM will take place at the brand new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), although in 2008 the event will be held in Hall 1 and 2. World-class exhibition and convention facilities provide state-of-the-art efficiency and convenience for exhibitors and visitors alike. ADNEC is an impressive exhibition complex with multi-purpose halls, dedicated conference facilities, banqueting areas, offices and food courts.

The venue is located close to the major hotel developments and a short distance from Abu Dhabi Airport. It is a mere 15 minutes drive from any point in the city of Abu Dhabi and is located on the crossroads of an easily accessible motorway network that connects the capital to the emirate's other cities and beyond.  The surrounding road network has been planned to allow for easy access and exit to the centre and multi-storey car parks will provide ample capacity for visitors and exhibitors.
The new development planned for the area surrounding ADNEC will be known as Capital Centre and is already well underway.  The $8 billion development will form a business and residential micro-city and includes hotels and a marina. 

What’s New for 2008 

The 2008 event will be larger than 2007 with an increased number of regional and international meetings and incentive suppliers from national tourist organisations, destinations including convention bureau, hotels and hotel groups, destination management companies and specialist service providers representing the Gulf region, South and South East Asia, Europe, North Africa and beyond.  GIBTM ABU DHABI DAY - Monday April 7th
Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), is offering Hosted Buyers the opportunity to take part in a pre show Abu Dhabi tour entitled “Experience the Magic” which will take place on Monday 7th April, and is organised in partnership with NCC (member of the Net Group), and sponsored by ADTA.
Delegates will be able to witness how Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has transformed itself from a small fishing village before the discovery of oil in the early 1960s, to a metropolis which blends modernity and traditional Arabian culture, making it the perfect destination for meeting professionals and those involved in the industry.

Hosted Buyers on the tour will see new developments including the iconic architectural landmarks being built on Saadiyat Island and the TDIC (Tourist Development and Investment Company) exhibition at the Emirates Palace.  Hosted Buyers will be given explanations on both the world-class museum devoted to modern and contemporary art to be called the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is being designed by the internationally-acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi designed by French architect Jean Nouvel which built will be a microcity under one big dome and a work of art in itself.

In the afternoon there will be a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Still in its final stages of construction, it will be one of the largest in the world and is a truly international piece of architecture using artisans and materials from all over the world.  Hosted Buyers will then have the option to select a programme of tailor-made hotel inspections or visit the Khayal al Sahara Desert Camp. Khayal al Sahara (Sahara Illusion) follows the local traditional style that reflects part of the Qasr al Hosn historical building in Abu Dhabi.

In the evening, Hosted Buyers will be invited to the pre-event GIBTM Ice Breaker networking reception sponsored by, and taking place at, the Hilton Abu Dhabi.

The Gulf Meetings & Events Conference organized by MPI
The Gulf Meetings and Events Conference, created and delivered by MPI (Meetings Professionals International) will take place in Dubai on 5th and 6th April just prior to GIBTM in Abu Dhabi.

Both events will, for the first time, create a week dedicated to providing a focus for the industry sector by delivering an educational, business and networking opportunity for the Gulf region. 

The Conference, which takes place at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City brings the global strength of MPI (the industry’s largest community of professionals in the world) to the region by providing two intense days of education that will identify what the region’s meeting professional, and those starting out in the sector, need in order to be successful today and tomorrow.

Delegates from the MPI conference will be transferred to Abu Dhabi for GIBTM on Monday 7 April, in time for Hosted Buyers to attend the Abu Dhabi day and Ice Breaker reception on that day or to spend the day at their leisure before attending GIBTM on 8 April.

The Technology & Event Services Village @ GIBTM
The Technology & Event Services Village @ GIBTM is another new element in 2008 and helps to establish one of the fastest growing sectors for the industry through the Gulf region’s only dedicated meetings event.  This dedicated area will feature the latest technology products as well as an array of support services and products for the meetings and incentives industry.

Confirmed exhibitors to date include: EVENTEX, Shockfish SA, SALCE, Global Ware, Celcom  and Ungerboeck Systems International.
“Gulf countries are a booming market for all the meeting industry. GIBTM was an excellent exhibition for us and it helped us immensely to make way into the Gulf region. We have already booked for 2008 and look forward to many more business opportunities,” commented Christophe Draye, CEO, EVENTEX – HIVETHESOLUTION based in Belgium

The European Pavilion
This is an area dedicated to convention bureaus, NTOs, conference venues and hotels from Europe.
It has been created to enable those companies who do not have the Middle East as a priority market at the moment but do have an interest in it, to participate in a smaller, more cost effective way.
The special package for these exhibitors will include a 4 sqm stand with 2 panels for graphics as well as furniture (counter and stools) all within the specifically designed pavilion. As usual, exhibitors will have access to the GIBTM Hosted Buyer’s pre-scheduled appointment system, networking events and to the pre-event publicity and promotional campaigns. The cost of the package is $4,500 (approximately £2,200 or €3,275).