Want to hit the global stage with business events? Tara Seeto tracked down some of the best industry events to attend in 2016 and beyond.
ILEA- INTERNATIONAL LIVE EVENTS ASSOCIATION (PREVIOUSLY INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS SOCIETY)
August 11-13,2016
Austin, Texas USA
ILEA is an American based association and represents and supports more than 5000 live event professionals around the world who do business together, share knowledge, nurture talent and progress the event industry. ILEA provides a solid network community that helps special events pro-fessionals produce outstanding results for clients while establishing positive working relationships with other event colleagues.
ILEA Live is the annual global conference held by ILEA and focuses on the CREATIVITY,
INNOVATION and COLLABORATION in live event experiences. The aim of the ILEA Live conference is to create and deliver an experience of knowledge sharing and stimulation of ideas with other creative professionals from around the world.
Visit http://ilealive2016.com/ to learn more.
IMEX AMERICA
October 18-20, 2016
Las Vegas
IMEX America has been described as “The pulse of the meetings industry” and the largest business events tradeshow in the US.
If you influence or manage international or domestic meetings and events, then IMEX America is where you belong this October.
Whether you are a corporate, association or agency planner you will discover some great business, education and networking opportunities. This truly is the power source for the meetings industry.
Apply for the hosted buyer program. Once you’ve qualified you travel and stay as a guest for the trade show.
Visit www.imexamerica.com to learn more.
IT&CMA BANGKOK
September 27-29, 2016
Bangkok, Thailand
IT&CMA is described as “the leading international MICE Event in the Asia–Pacific”.
IT&CMA claims its program engages regional and international industry suppliers and buyers in the areas of business, education and networking.
If you are interested in discovering a platform to do business, learn, and connect and network with others in Asia, then the IT&CMA & CTW double bill event is the event for you.
Hosted buyer status is also possible. Visit http://www.itcma.com/ to learn more.
ITB ASIA
October 19 – 21, 2016
Singapore
ITB Asia is one of the youngest, yet one of the largest and most international shows in Asia. It is a three day business to business trade show and convention for the Asian travel industry, where businesses are able to meet and establish high-quality customer contacts.
The ITB Asia trade show is where international exhibitors in the travel industry and some of the Asia Pacific’s leading travel companies and emerging enterprises meet with top international buyers from the MICE, leisure and corporate travel markets.
ITB Asia is a source for new destinations, travel products and services where you can learn and network with industry peers, take advantage of seminars and workshop opportunities and meet up to 760 international exhibitors in one location!
Visit http://www.itb-asia.com/ to learn more.
IBTM WORLD (FORMERLY EIBTM)
November 29 – December 1, 2016
Barcelona, Spain
ibtm world is described as the top international event for the meetings and event industry, held in the vibrant city of Barcelona.
ibtm world is a three day event and delivers networking for exhibitors, hosted buyers and trade visitors, and provides professional education in a business environment.
If you’re involved in the meetings and events industry, ibtm world is the perfect event for you, where you can connect with the whole industry under one roof. Become a part of the ibtm global events community, be inspired by leading experts at the knowledge programme, make new contacts and meet new people in the industry, what more could you ask for?
Visit http://www.ibtmworld.com/ to learn more.
ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET
April 24-27, 2017
Dubai
The Arabian Travel Market is the leading global event for the Middle East inbound and outbound travel industry. The exhibition is held across four days each year at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre, and showcases more than 2800 products and destinations from around the world to over 26,000 travel trade visitors and buyers.
Take advantage of the four days of opportunity to network, negotiate, discover new products and gain an insight into global trends, innovations research and topical debate!
Visit http://www.arabiantravelmarket.com to find out more.
IMEX
May 16-18, 2017
Frankfurt, Germany
The biggie in the business events exhibition world, IMEX has more than 3500 exhibiting companies representing 150 countries, 400+ exhibitor networking events, and more than 180 education sessions. Close to 9000 hosted buyers and visitors attend the event, with the number of individual appointments and stand presentations increasing by nine per cent in 2016 to 57,000.
There are opportunities to attend as a hosted buyer. Visit www.imex-frankfurt.com to learn more.
THE MEETINGS SHOW UK
June 13-15, 2017
Olympia, London
The Meetings Show is the major annual UK event for the meetings industry. The large exhibition runs over a course of three days where there are endless networking opportunities with 3000 meetings industry professionals.
The show features exhibitors from more than 50 countries including the UK and international destinations, hotel chains, technology providers, academic and sporting venues, all of which will be waiting to see how they can meet your business needs and deliver a fantastic level of service.
The Meetings Show also offers an educational stream, with the program focused on key trends and issues facing agencies, associations, corporates and public sector planners. Attendees will gain knowledge on strategic meetings management, management of teams and leadership development.
Visit http://www.themeetingsshow.com to learn more.