Friday, December 1, 2023
A trade show is always a reflection of the health of the industry it covers. And in an industry that is “on fire”, IBTM World 2023 did not disappoint and presented a frankly solid edition.
“2023 enjoyed its most successful show yet,” say its organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions, with 2,250 exhibitors, nearly 4,000 buyers, 132,000 connections made and significantly increased adoption of the business contact management scanning technology the show proposed.
Of course, we were there, connecting with the industry and sharing the happiness of this community: 2023 was amazing and there are many projects for 2024. Ah… and making the most successful cocktail of the whole fair, which is the most important thing 🙂
A key ingredient in such an event, besides having buyers with projects for next year, is the matching technology between supply and demand. As such, the event used “the power of new technologies to enhance the attendee experience, elevating its ability to deliver relevant and cost-effective connections,” says the organization.
The technology included a new targeting tool, WalkMe, in its matching platform, the opening of the platform to visitors for the first time and the launch of the Exhibitor Panel that allowed exhibitors to evaluate the impact of their connections in real time.
The central theme of the event was the concept of culture: we wanted to celebrate the role that event professionals play in shaping culture and driving business forward. Recognizing these change agents and their imaginative, dynamic and forward-thinking ideas was the essence of the #CultureCreators campaign.
The training program covered everything from diversity and inclusion (D&I), to how to cultivate communities, to how innovation can lead the events industry into a more prosperous future. This year saw the renovation of training spaces, creating new presentation theaters (some very interesting ones with a 270º audience around a central circular stage). The Impact Stage showcased the work that destinations, hotels and technology providers are doing in sustainability, experience and design.
Another area was Workplace Revolution, a modern space (graffiti included) where participants could chat in a relaxed atmosphere. A wellness center, ‘Refuel’, in partnership with EventWell, allowed attendees to recharge their batteries.
The event also featured a whole host of reports, including the IBTM World 2023 Culture Report, which explores the growing demand for remote work and its impact on the events industry. Another was the (now famous) annual IBTM World Industry Trends Report, which delved into the changing demographics of the events landscape, the growing impact of AI and personalized technology on the industry, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in stimulating creativity and attracting talent.
The Business of Events, a think tank and coordination platform for the events industry, launched its annual Global Destination Report, the highlights of which include the economic importance of events, the collective need for greater promotion and understanding of the value of the sector by governments, and the need to nurture the legacy of events.
This was the first IBTM World for Claudia Hall, recently appointed IBTM world events director. She said, “Experiencing my first IBTM World as Event Director during such a successful edition has been incredibly exciting. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Barcelona Convention Bureau and Fira, Barcelona, who have been excellent partners for the past 19 years and, without whom, IBTM World would not be what it is today.” IBTM also announced the launch of IBTM World Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong in spring 2025.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
