EIBTM on Worldwide Watch for the Year's most influential Technological Development

Now in its fourth year, Worldwide Watch is an EIBTM initiative to identify the most innovative technology development or product breakthrough that will have the most positive impact on the incentive, business travel and meetings industry.

The company chosen will receive the opportunity to present their product on the main stage of EIBTM 2003, the industry’s number one global event (20-22 May, Palexpo, Geneva).

The selected entrant will benefit from massive exposure to 10,000 exhibitors, press and visitors as well as display their product at the recently announced new MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM. The winner of the 2002 Worldwide Watch was 'Throughlines', a powerful technology breakthrough designed by Static & Motion, which enables an audience to view a video presentation and vote for various options, using individual hand controls.

Nils Huehnergarth, President of New York based Static & Motion productions, Inc. said he was honoured to have been chosen from the applications made by technology companies throughout the world.

"EIBTM is an ideal forum to introduce new technology because the industry leaders who attend will truly appreciate this powerful next generation technology," said Mr Huehnergarth.

EIBTM is inviting entries for this year’s competition. Entries may be a product or service just launched, or a concept in the early stages of development. WorldWide Watch can provide companies with early exposure, allowing further product development and the chance to sell the product into the meetings and events market. Closing date for entries is February 28, 2003.

Sandie McCoubrey, Marketing Manager for EIBTM expects the overall standard of entries for 2003 to be even higher than the previous years: “WorldWide Watch is now in its fourth year. By now, companies have a good idea of what the judging panel is looking for and know of the enormous amount of exposure they can gain by winning the chance to present at EIBTM. We expect to receive a record number of entries of a very high standard."

WorldWide Watch entrants will be judged by an independent panel of industry leaders meeting in London in April 2003. The panel consists of MPI’s 2002 International Supplier of the Year, Corbin Ball, as the panel’s new chairman, Martin Sirk, ICCA; Didier Scaillet, MPI; Tim Godhehere, Reed Exhibitions; Paul Hussey, The Olive Partnership; and Maarten Vanneste, Abbit Meeting Support.

New chairman, Corbin Ball said: “Technology is changing the face of the meetings and incentives industry and encouraging and recognising international innovation in this area benefits us all.”