Press Releases

Research to Focus on the Performance Drivers and Value of Meetings

AIBTM Research Alliance Consolidates MPI, RTE Global Relationship

February 22, 2010 – Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) and the MPI Foundation announced a major AIBTM research alliance at MPI’s MeetDifferent in Cancun today. In an initiative which further focuses both parties’ long standing relationship, the MPI Foundation will produce a comprehensive initiative on meeting and business event performance to be presented at AIBTM in Baltimore in June 2011 as part of an America Meetings Week.  This initiative is a culmination of a broad scope of initiatives that will focus on studying and understanding the appreciable business value of meetings. “Through this alliance, meeting and event professionals will gain access to critical data and resources to more effectively design, implement and measure the business value of their meetings. We see our relationship with RTE as a prime driver in highlighting our commitment to content and thought leadership around the world,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI President and CEO. Vanessa Cotton, CMM Chair Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentives Events, comments: “One of the areas that will set us apart from other events for the meetings industry in North America is our reputation in providing best professional education. Whether from the corporate, association or agency sector, this major piece of research is designed to provide the industry with information on key trends and developments that will have a significant impact on their business. “Our global partnership with MPI, which additionally includes the development of education programs at all our IBTM events in Barcelona, Abu Dhabi, Beijing and now Baltimore, is an indication of the importance both parties place on the providing the industry at all levels with sources of relevant and validated knowledge.” AIBTM will provide meeting and event professionals in all sectors – association, corporate, government and third party – with quality interaction with over 300 North American and international exhibitors. It is set to attract 500 Hosted Buyers, of which 100 will come from outside America and around 2,500 trade visitors made up of largely North American based meeting planners with domestic, interstate business. America Meetings Week will raise the profile of the meetings and events industry to the wider business market and political community across North America, focusing on the economic contribution which meetings and events make to the economy, the number of jobs supported and the positive benefits which effective meetings and events bring to business development and communication. -Ends- For US enquiries, please contact: Theresa R. Davis Tel: +1 972 702 3044 Email: tdavis@mpiweb.org For all other enquiries, please contact: Cut Communications Simon Greenbury / Nina Gardiner Tel: +44 (0)207 096 2960 / 53 Email: simon.greenbury@cut-coms.co.uk / nina.gardiner@cut-coms.co.uk About the MPI Foundation: The mission of the MPI Foundation is to power the vision of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the meetings and events industry’s largest and most vibrant global community comprised of more than 23,000 members representing 84 countries worldwide. Contributions from MPI members, chapters, and organizations are invested in high-impact programs to support a rich, global meetings and events industry and shape the future of the meetings and events profession. For more information, visit www.mpifoundation.org. About AIBTM and Reed Travel Exhibitions 1. AIBTM forms part of the RTE portfolio of Global Meetings and Incentives Events along with AIME (www.aime.com.au ), EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), GIBTM (www.gibtm.com) and CIBTM (www.cibtm.com).  AIBTM (www.cibtm.com) is the annual Americas meetings and incentive exhibition held in Baltimore, USA. 2. Reed Travel Exhibitions organise 12 events worldwide, including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market, European Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM), Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM), China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM), Gulf Incentive Business Travel & Meetings (GIBTM), Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), International Golf Travel Market, International French Travel Market - Top Resa, International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), La Cumbre and Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM). 3. For further press information, please visit the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ website on www.reedtravelexhibitions.com.  4. Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 440 events in 36 countries. In 2009 Reed brought together over six million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 35 fully staffed offices. 5. Reed organises a wide range of events, including trade and consumer exhibitions, conferences and meetings. Its portfolio of over 440 events serves 44 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, beauty & cosmetics, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering & manufacturing, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewellery, life science & pharmaceuticals, machinery, marketing, business services & training, medical education, printing & graphics, security & safety, sports & recreation, travel. 6. Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.  7. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2008, Reed Elsevier made an adjusted profit before taxation of £1,205 million on turnover of £5,334 million.