GIBTM Offers Meeting Professionals A Glimpse Of The Future In A Flash

Next generation trends and innovation set to be unveiled exclusively at the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings show

Meeting professionals and corporate meeting planners attending this year’s Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) show will be provided with exclusive information on future industry trends and innovations, thanks to the event’s dynamic education programme, that truly breaks the mould with new age thinking.

GIBTM’s Exhibition Manager Lois Hall said industry professionals would recognise the invaluable contribution of this year’s education programme.

“The high-quality content, presented by experienced industry leaders, will ensure our delegates understand future trends and innovations, allowing them to better plan and execute their meetings and business strategies, adapting them to the fast-paced world in which we live.”

Seminar sessions will look as far ahead as 2030, providing delegates at the Abu Dhabi show, which takes place at ADNEC from March 25–27, with invaluable knowledge to help them plan creative forward-thinking strategies.

Session highlights include ‘Flash Forward 2030 – The Value of Connection’, an interactive seminar presented by Michelle Lanham, Lecturer, UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Metropolitan University and Dr Emma Wood, Reader in Festivals and Events Marketing, UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Metropolitan University, which will look at key trends identified by MPI research and the implications on business practices and required skill sets.

“The research is poignant because it highlights increasing competitiveness in the meetings market with a growing number of new destinations and venues making their mark, particularly in emerging economies,” explained Dr. Wood.

“It also identifies a very clear need for professionals in all markets to use online communications more effectively to both develop an understanding of their target audiences and enhance relationship contact with participants, post meeting.”

 

Dr. Wood said the presentation would help delegates learn effective social media strategies and also unveil several next-generation technology trends and innovations such as robotics, augmented reality and telepresence.

The use of technology and its impact on meetings and in the future is also a focus of the GIBTM educational programme, with a brand new feature area on the show floor, Event Camp Middle East 2013 (#ECME13), setting the scene.

“Highlights will include ideas on how meetings can be transformed through the hybrid format,” explained Paul Cook, Principal at Hybrid Event Centre, Director at Planet Planit Ltd and a former MPI UK President (2007-2008).

“Event Camp Middle East will be a hybrid event, attending online is an option for people not able to be with us in Abu Dhabi.”

Event Camp’s hybrid seminar sessions include: ‘Entering the World of Augmented Reality’, presented by Tom Wood, Commercial Director and Co-Owner, Kudan; ‘The Event Camp Model; events around the world and their nuances’ by Mike McAllen, Senior Meeting Planner and Event Camp Founder; ‘Hybrid Events’ by Cook; and ‘Tech Obsessed; driven by results and attention to every branding detail’ by self-confessed Event Planner Superhero, Liz King of Liz King Events.

Cook will also present in the inaugural GIBTM 20x20 Challenge – powered by Pecha Kucha®.

The ‘against-the-clock’ challenge will invite industry professionals to present using the Pecha Kucha® method – 20 slides shown for exactly 20 second per slide.

“The skill is being able to put your message across concisely in that period of time and enabling people to understand your subject or story,” said Cook.

GIBTM delegates will be invited to vote and select the most compelling and immaculately-timed six-minute-40-second presentation, awarding the winning presenter with a two-night stay at a Dead Sea Hotel, sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board.

Additional education programme highlights will include the launch of the GIBTM Trends Report 2013, in association with meetme and The Right Solution, ‘The Middle East Going Green’, and Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) sessions on Business Travel.

To register to attend GIBTM 2013, please visit www.gibtm.com

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Mar 6, 2013

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