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Trade Shows Rethink Hosted Buyer Model: More Freedom – But Less Free Stuff
Trade Shows Rethink Hosted Buyer Model: More Freedom – But Less Free Stuff

Skift

time9 hours ago

  • Business
  • Skift

Trade Shows Rethink Hosted Buyer Model: More Freedom – But Less Free Stuff

Hosted buyer models are shifting from rigid schedules to buyer-driven engagement. As planners demand more autonomy and exhibitors seek qualified leads, shows like IBTM and IMEX are rewriting the playbook. The hosted-buyer model — once defined by packed meeting schedules in exchange for free travel — is evolving. Today's buyers want control and meaningful connections, and events like IBTM and IMEX are adapting. Under the old rules, buyers had to complete a set number of meetings to qualify for airfare and hotel. Now, at IBTM they can opt to pay a fee and meet only with exhibitors they choose. No strings attached. At IBTM World 2025 in Barcelona this November, organizers are launching a new 'Visitor Buyer' option. For $469 (€399) through September 16, and $587 (€499) after, attendees can book as many meetings as they like with exhibitors, at their own pace. This model suits buyers who want flexibility without the obligations of a hosted program. For exhibitors, it means face time with motivated prospects who choose to connect. IBTM will continue offering a traditional hosted program with pre-scheduled appointments. They will receive flights, transfers, and stays at four- or five-star hotels in exchange for meeting commitments. IMEX Focuses on Buyer Flexibility While IBTM is experimenting with a paid, semi-hosted model, IMEX has long offered multiple formats to meet buyers' needs. 'Our model is centered around the needs of the buyer,' said Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX. All qualified buyers, hosted or not, can use IMEX's platform to schedule one-on-one meetings or attend booth presentations — no automated matchmaking required. Hosted buyers commit to six to eight meetings per day, with schedules tailored to the type of planner they are. In exchange, IMEX covers hotel, flights, and ground transportation. Buyers can also extend their stays by committing to additional meetings, and they have access to lead-scanning tools and directories to plan their experience. Non-hosted buyers cover their own travel but can still schedule meetings and access lead capture tools—without any minimums. IMEX typically hosts around 3,500 buyers in Frankfurt and 4,300 in Las Vegas, plus another 900 to 1,200 non-hosted buyers at each show.

No Fast Fashion. No Plastic. These Planners's Preferences Are Having an Impact on Meetings
No Fast Fashion. No Plastic. These Planners's Preferences Are Having an Impact on Meetings

Skift

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • Skift

No Fast Fashion. No Plastic. These Planners's Preferences Are Having an Impact on Meetings

Planners who abide by environmentally and socially conscious practices in their personal lives — known as 'conscious consumerism' — are applying those to their work. For one, this meant avoiding purchasing logoed clothing items. 'I'm horrified by fast fashion, and how those clothes are ending up in landfills or being dumped in places like Ghana or Pakistan. No more logoed t-shirts for me, unless they're very special.' She's not alone: Environmental consumerIsm is on the rise. In a March 2025 GlobeScan poll, 49% of Americans reported purchasing an environmentally friendly product in the past month, up from 43% in 2024. Amenity suppliers like Joycoast have responded, by offering zero- to low-impact gift options in place of plastic and other non-recyclables. The company uses wood that is FSC Certified (meaning it comes from forests that are responsibly managed), partners with Trees for the Future and Eden Reforestation Projects to plant 10 trees for every product sold, and makes its products in the U.S. A Fresh Take on F&B The rise of organic farming, fair trade, and local sourcing, along with growing awareness of animal welfare, have shifted buyer behavior in supermarkets all over the world. In the U.K. 70% of adults have bought Fairtrade products (noted by a mark on the products), such as bananas, tea, and coffee, according to the Fairtrade Foundation. Tahira Endean, IMEX head of programming, goes by the acronym FLOSS. 'It means fresh, local, organic, seasonal, and sustainable. You will never get all 5, but aim for a few.' IMEX America, which is held annually in Las Vegas, partners with community businesses, such as Bon Breads for the sustainably produced flour used in its sandwich bread and burger buns. This keeps money in the local economy and, because it's just seven miles away from the convention center, requires less carbon for transportation. With water being such an issue in Las Vegas, the show also highlights food options that use less water, such as turkey burgers, which use three times less water than beef burgers. Its menu acts as an educational tool for attendees. Meat is on the radar for Fiona Nieman, CEO, Indaba Events. 'I don't eat red meat, so I naturally veer away from meat entrees, and steer toward chicken and fish. I definitely don't choose pork as an entree — there's too much risk for allergies, and also because of attendees' religious beliefs.' Consumer awareness of sustainable seafood has also grown, and is impacting some planners' choices. 'Can't be traced? Can't be served,' said Shawna McKinley, principal at Clear Current Consulting. 'I would also love to see more caterers automatically add information to their menus in a way that is similar to what community supported fisheries (CSFs) do.' CSFs include a biography of the individual fisherman who made the catch (sometimes with a photo) on their packaging. Some hotel chains are catching on. Recently, the World Wildlife Fund announced a partnership with Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, one of 100 companies that it will be working with to transition seafood supply chains to become more sustainable, responsible, and traceable.

Malaysia continues up the biz event ranks
Malaysia continues up the biz event ranks

Daily Express

time13-06-2025

  • Business
  • Daily Express

Malaysia continues up the biz event ranks

Published on: Friday, June 13, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Malaysia moved up two places to 31st in the global country rankings and 9th in the Asia Pacific region, while Kuala Lumpur jumped six spots to 26th in the World City Rankings. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur continue their upward trajectory in the International Convention & Conference Association (ICCA) 2024 Country & City Rankings report, strengthening their profile as premier business events destinations in the global marketplace. Malaysia moved up two places to 31st in the global country rankings and 9th in the Asia Pacific region, while Kuala Lumpur jumped six spots to 26th in the World City Rankings. Advertisement In a statement, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) said that the rankings were supported by Malaysia hosting 129 international association meetings, with the Centre accommodating some of the city's 78 international association meetings that year. 'To promote the global profile of both Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, the Centre maintains a strong partnership with the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) —- an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture —- regularly collaborating at international trade shows to attract business events to the country. 'In the first half of 2025, the Centre was part of MyCEB's delegation at the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2025 in Melbourne and IMEX in Frankfurt,' it said. Key international trade shows on MyCEB's calendar that the Centre will also participate in later this year include The Meetings Show in London and the Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) in Barcelona. The Centre also said that as global business environments evolve, so too have delegate needs and expectations. It believes that flexibility is essential to meeting these demands, with personalisation and technology being key enablers in delivering effective solutions. Its general manager, John Burke, said the Centre's newly refurbished meeting spaces feature hybrid technology and upgraded audio-visual infrastructure, while a new shared workspace concept has also been launched to support delegates needing a convenient place to catch up on work and life between sessions. He said that with Kuala Lumpur International Airport, served by 79 airlines and visa-free access for 175 countries, Malaysia provides the great connectivity that global business events demand. 'On top of that, we have a mature supply chain aligned with global standards, wide English proficiency, and a favourable exchange rate. 'Combined with its rich cultural heritage and natural assets, Malaysia is a competitive choice,' said Burke. The Centre is located in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct, beneath the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. It offers a world-class venue with 34,000 square metres of flexible, purpose-built space with multiple advantages under one roof. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Thailand makes "New High" in Convention Destination Ranking
Thailand makes "New High" in Convention Destination Ranking

Yahoo

time09-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Thailand makes "New High" in Convention Destination Ranking

Bangkok makes big leap to world's 7th spot, 13 Thai cities make entry in ranking table BANGKOK, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand becomes the top convention destination of the ASEAN region, according to ICCA Country & City Rankings for 2024 Report. A "New High" is achieved when Bangkok exhibits its best performance, ascending to the world's 7th spot as a city destination for international conventions, a big leap from the 15th place in 2023, while a total of 13 Thai cities make entry to the ranking table, the highest number the country has ever achieved. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) announced the release of ICCA's latest GlobeWatch Business Analytics – Country & City Rankings for 2024 at IMEX Frankfurt 2025 in Germany. The comprehensive report analyses data from over 11,000 conferences held globally in 2024, highlighting Asia's prominent status as the second most popular region for international meetings, following Europe. According to the report, Thailand hosted a total of 158 international conventions, an increase from 143 in 2023. The number resulted in Thailand moving from the world's 26th spot in 2023 to the 25th place in 2024, clinching the 5th place in Asia Pacific and claiming the number one spot in the ASEAN or Southeast Asian region. The best ever performance is Bangkok. Hosting a total of 115 international conventions, the Thai capital rises to the world's 7th spot as a city destination, a remarkable increase from the 15th place in 2023. In Asia Pacific, Bangkok is ranked 3rd and 2nd in the ASEAN region. The leading position of Bangkok is reiterated when Cvent also announced in IMEX Frankfurt 2025 its list of 2025 Top Meeting Destinations. For Asia Pacific region, Bangkok is ranked 2nd after Singapore. The result is based on more than $18B of global sourcing and request-for-proposal (RFP) activity through Cvent's sourcing platforms in 2024, including a record-breaking $16.5B through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world's largest venue sourcing marketplaces. Another best ever performance of Thailand is that it is the first time that a high number of 13 Thai cities are listed in ICCA report. Apart from Bangkok, the 12 cities are Chiang Mai (12 conventions), Pattaya (10), Phuket (8), Chon Buri (3), Chiang Rai (2), Pathum Thani (2), Hua Hin (1), Khon Kaen (1), Samui (1), Nakhon Ratchasima (1), Nonthaburi (1) and Pattani (1). Mr. Puripan Bunnag, Senior Vice President and Acting President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), remarked that: "We are delighted with the overall performance of Thailand, especially Bangkok which made a noticeable rise in the ranking. In this respect, we feel grateful for international professional associations for their trust and confidence in Bangkok. It will further inspire the city and Thai MICE industry to deliver their best to maintain or upgrade their operating standards to meet the evolving needs of the market." TCEB is also proud of the total 13 cities listed in ICCA statistical table, representing the best performance of city diversification the country has ever achieved. It is a strong sign of Thailand's enhanced capacities for conferences. International associations and bodies can now maximize richer choices of locations in Thailand. Each city has their unique cultural setting, which can be crafted to deliver meaningful and memorable experiences for delegates. The establishment of TCEB regional offices in all key regions has now played a part in driving the cities in each region to tap into MICE market and inspiring them to have a position in the map of MICE industry. TCEB believes the result in the ICCA ranking table will be a substantial push factor for Thai cities to elevate themselves to another height, said Mr. Puripan. For more information, contact TCEB at: pr@ Thailand MICE – Meet the Magic About TCEB A LEADING AGENCY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAILAND'S MICE INDUSTRY Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB – the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister – has been assigned a role to promote, support and develop business events industry – corporate meetings, incentive trips, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps deliver creative ideas and solutions to bring success and fulfill the requirements of business events. The overarching goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country's strategic industries and national economy. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Dubai Secures Leading Position in Global Meetings Industry
Dubai Secures Leading Position in Global Meetings Industry

Arabian Post

time04-06-2025

  • Business
  • Arabian Post

Dubai Secures Leading Position in Global Meetings Industry

Dubai is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming IMEX event, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for global meetings and events. The city's persistent rise in the meetings and incentives travel sector has been highlighted by its sustained ranking as the top meeting destination in the Middle East and Africa, according to the latest industry data. The recognition by Cvent, a leading meetings management platform, confirms Dubai's continued dominance among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations across the region. This accolade reflects the city's comprehensive appeal to international event planners, offering world-class infrastructure, advanced technology integration, and a strategic geographical location that connects the East and West efficiently. Dubai's consistent ability to attract high-profile conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events underscores its role as a pivotal hub in the global meetings industry. Key factors driving Dubai's leadership include its expansive range of venues, from cutting-edge convention centres to luxury hotels equipped with the latest facilities. The Dubai World Trade Centre remains one of the region's most versatile event spaces, accommodating a broad spectrum of event sizes and formats. This flexibility is crucial in adapting to evolving industry demands, particularly with hybrid and virtual components becoming standard in event planning. ADVERTISEMENT Government initiatives and private sector collaboration have played a central role in fortifying Dubai's position. Authorities have implemented policies to streamline event permits and enhance visitor experience, ensuring a seamless process for organisers and delegates alike. Incentives, such as visa facilitation and dedicated support services, have been instrumental in attracting major international conventions. Dubai's strategic investments in digital infrastructure have enabled organisers to leverage data analytics, AI-driven matchmaking, and enhanced attendee engagement tools, which have become critical components in the competitive meetings landscape. These technological advancements allow event planners to tailor experiences, optimise networking opportunities, and maximise return on investment. The city's robust transport connectivity, including a globally recognised international airport and comprehensive public transport networks, further contributes to its appeal. Ease of access combined with a reputation for safety and hospitality has made Dubai a preferred choice for global gatherings, despite challenges posed by shifting geopolitical dynamics and economic uncertainties worldwide. Analysts note that Dubai's ability to maintain its ranking amidst growing competition from other emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa signals effective strategic positioning and adaptability. Regional cities such as Riyadh, Cairo, and Cape Town have been investing heavily in their meetings infrastructure, but Dubai's early adoption of technology and sustained government backing provide it with a competitive edge. The upcoming IMEX event is expected to showcase Dubai's diverse offerings through dedicated pavilions, interactive demonstrations, and networking sessions. The event acts as a platform for Dubai to engage directly with industry stakeholders, present new developments, and explore collaborative opportunities. Dubai's participation reflects its proactive approach in maintaining visibility and relevance in a fast-evolving global meetings ecosystem. ADVERTISEMENT Dubai's commitment to sustainability also stands out in its meetings strategy. The city has integrated green initiatives into its event planning framework, aligning with global trends towards eco-friendly practices. This includes promoting sustainable venue certifications, waste reduction programmes, and energy-efficient technologies. Such efforts resonate well with international organisations increasingly prioritising environmental responsibility. Beyond infrastructure and logistics, Dubai's cultural diversity and entertainment offerings enhance its attractiveness. Delegates and visitors benefit from a rich blend of experiences that extend beyond business, from world-class dining to cultural festivals and outdoor activities. This holistic approach to hosting events adds a layer of appeal that complements the professional aspects of meetings and conventions. Industry insiders emphasise that Dubai's leadership is not solely based on scale but on quality and innovation. The city's event ecosystem supports tailored experiences that meet the distinct needs of various sectors, including finance, technology, healthcare, and hospitality. This sector-specific focus allows Dubai to attract specialised conferences that require sophisticated facilities and expertise. The synergy between Dubai's public and private sectors remains a cornerstone of its meetings industry success. Joint initiatives, marketing campaigns, and continuous feedback loops ensure the city adapts quickly to global trends and client expectations. This collaborative model fosters resilience, particularly amid global economic shifts that have impacted international travel and events. Looking ahead, Dubai plans to further expand its capacity and diversify its event portfolio. New projects are underway to upgrade existing venues and develop niche event spaces that cater to emerging markets such as esports and creative industries. These investments are aligned with Dubai's vision to remain at the forefront of the global meetings landscape.

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