(February 2, 2012) – The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition (AIBTM), Reed Travel Exhibitions' premiere provider for the U.S. meetings and events industry, announced today that it has more than 50 Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators committed to AIBTM in Baltimore, June 19-21, 2012. AIBTM 2012 is a three-day event, with one full day of education and two days of exhibitions.
"The Hosted Buyer Group Coordinator response for AIBTM 2012 is overwhelming, especially at this early stage," said Steve Knight, Reed Travel Exhibitions AIBTM Project Director. "We already have 25 percent more Group Coordinators signed than for the whole of last year, and we're still in our pre-registration phase for the Hosted Buyer Program.
"Each AIBTM exhibitor is eligible to apply to be a Group Coordinator. The program empowers exhibitors to ensure that the prospects they want to see are at AIBTM," Knight continued. "Group Coordinators receive the same VIP treatment as Hosted Buyers. They have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with top clients through AIBTM's online Pre-Scheduled Appointment system, and they enjoy complimentary travel and accommodations when bringing a qualified group of 10 or more."
Among the AIBTM Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators confirmed for AIBTM 2012 include key hoteliers like Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott, Melia Hotels International, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel Luxury Hotels and Choice Hotels International. Major U.S. market CVB's such as the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Meet Washington State (formerly Seattle CVB) and Visit Orlando will also bring hosted buyers.
Additionally, AIBTM's strategic partner, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), has committed to bring 500 Hosted Buyers to the event in June. AIBTM is pleased at the support and interest of PCMA and other industry associations, like the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE), which has committed to bring 100 Incentive buyers.
According to Megan Cargile, Associate Director, Meetings & Events for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.: "AIBTM proved to be a successful show for Starwood. Our hotel exhibitors will once again benefit from being able to meet with many qualified hosted buyers in pre-scheduled appointments, which have a significant value."
Space is still available and AIBTM is actively accepting applications for Hosted Buyer Group Coordinators. Online applications will be live later this month. In the interim, get a jumpstart on the competition and contact Elizabeth Shipman, Hosted Buyer Program Manager for AIBTM, +1.203.840.5975 or eshipman@reedexpo.com.
Media contact: Jodi Bannerman – +1.212.871.3020 x. 107, jbannerman@jgordonassociates.com. Visit AIBTM on Twitter @AIBTMEvent or Facebook.
The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition (AIBTM) is the leading global exhibition for the U.S. meetings and events industry. The newest addition to the Reed Travel Exhibition's global portfolio, AIBTM delivers individually qualified Hosted Buyers and eligible Trade buyers from the U.S. and around the world. Tailored to the U.S. market, AIBTM serves and guarantees the attendance of top level decision makers. The exhibitions provide time and business efficient matching services for buyers and sellers through unique Hosted Buyer Programs. For more information, please visit www.aibtm.com.
Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world's leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry and hosts 12 annual, global events. Its wide-ranging portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel and the meetings and incentives industry. RTE is a business unit of Reed Exhibitions. In 2010, Reed Exhibitions held more than 460 events in 36 countries bringing together more than seven million people from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Reed Exhibitions is owned by Reed Elsevier, the world's leading provider of professional information and online workflow solutions.