Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and the Asia Pacific chapter of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) are all on board as partners for the new business events trade show set for Hong Kong in Q1 next year.
“The Asia Pacific region is pivotal for the events industry due to its rapidly growing economies, diverse cultural landscapes and world-class venues,” said IAPCO CEO Martin Boyle.
“It serves as a strategic gateway connecting East and West, offering unparalleled opportunities for business and networking.
“The region’s commitment to innovation and excellence makes it an essential destination for hosting international events that leave a lasting impact,” said Boyle.
With its first event delayed five years by the pandemic, IBTM Asia Pacific is the second new show to launch in APAC in as many years.
Dates for the IBTM show have now been confirmed, with the exhibition’s placement in the calendar resulting in a jam-packed three months for the region’s meetings and incentives market, between February and April.
With The Meetings Show Asia Pacific having a successful debut this year and confirming similar dates for next year, the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) will continue to kick off the year, running from February 10-12, IBTM Asia Pacific will premiere on March 19-20 and The MEETINGS Show Asia Pacific will have its second iteration on April 16-17.
Looking at a wider geographical landscape, IMEX Frankfurt will then take place from May 20-22, making four consecutive months of shows all vying for visitors from the global gatherings market.
IBTM has confirmed AsiaWorld-Expo as the location for IBTM Asia Pacific, which comes as no surprise, given the venue was one of the partners in Hong Kong’s original bid for the event.
The show’s organisers are expecting 250 pre-qualified buyers and a further 1,500 visitors to attend the show from 20 countries in the Asia Pacific.
The Meetings Show Asia Pacific had over 1,000 participants, according to organiser Northstar Travel Group. There were 160 exhibitors.
By contrast, AIME, which has been running for more than three decades, had 570 exhibitors, 595 hosted buyers and 70 media in 2024, with more than 4,000 people attending the show altogether.
“IBTM is recognised as a world-leading showcase for the meetings and events industry,” said Claudia Hall, the event director for both IBTM Asia Pacific and IBTM World in Barcelona in November.
“We are excited to bring IBTM to the Asia Pacific region and facilitate the important business connections for local and international event professionals with key suppliers, destinations and venues.
“We are delighted to have the support of our confirmed association partners.
“Working with them is paramount to our strategy to curate an experiential event program which will provide their membership and attendees with inspiration, insights and exclusive networking opportunities,” she said.
