NUMBER OF EXHIBITORS SOARS AT RECORD EIBTM 2001 FRESH IDEAS AND MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED

A record breaking number of exhibitors from 105 countries means that EIBTM 2001 (29 - 31 May) is edging ahead in its position as the world's leading business-to-business international forum for the incentive meetings and business travel industry.

Current estimates put the number of exhibitors at 3,250 - a rise of 177, compared to last year - with exhibition space expanding from 12, 220 in 2000 to 12,900 square metres. More than 30 new exhibitors are also expected at the event at Geneva's Palexpo, Switzerland.

"This is the second year that Reed Travel Exhibition's has managed EIBTM and with our experience, track record and international portfolio worldwide, we have the opportunity with the industry, to take EIBTM on to the next chapter of its development," said Debbie Jackson, exhibition director.

"Last year we increased the size of the event, but at that time we felt it was imperative to have hands-on experience of EIBTM and to understand what we could do to assist the acceleration of significant business for both exhibitors and visitors, before making changes.

"The results of the largest ever market research initiative on EIBTM helped us to shape the event for the future. But this is only the start ! "Much more needs to be done and although the results are fantastic already this year, we will not be complacent. We have been very grateful for the help and support we have received from many of our industry partners such as SITE, ICCA and MPI as well as the time, goodwill and patience of all those who participate every year.

"We acquired a brilliant event for the industry, but we felt that there were many improvements that we could make.

"In particular, we felt that there should be considerably more emphasis on personal customer care and assistance for exhibitors, buyers, intermediaries and the media, both prior to, during and after EIBTM.

"We have the largest and most experienced team ever taken to EIBTM. They have fresh, innovative and effective ideas and a number of important new features and major improvements are planned, while, at the same time, retaining the essential character of the event."

NEW AND GROWING EXHIBITORS

New exhibitors include Mandarin Oriental Hotels & Resorts, Meritus Hotels & Resorts, Deauville Convention Bureau, Grand Heritage Hotels, Ian Schrager Hotels, Saturno, Iberostar Hotels, Dorint Hotels, Golden Tulip Hotels, Lucien Barrière Hotels, Barcelo Hotels & resorts, Event Clicks, Focus.5.Net, Indochina Services, Hotel Rey Juan Carlos 1, Euroflanders, Destination Asia, Designer Incentives India, Shock Fish, Capital Events, Puerto Rico, Regus,TVL Voyages, Chapman Freeborn and Venetian Hotel.

In addition to the new 'faces', 14 organisations have substantially enlarged their stands. They are Dubai, Bahrain, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, Cyprus, Florida, Chicago, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Spain, SATOUR (South Africa) and Malta.

THE MAIN IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements for this year include:

* Introduction of three types of visitor category - Hosted Buyers, Meridian Club members and trade visitors - to provide appropriate tailored programmes, dedicated to personal requirements, making their visit even more productive

* Greater attention to matching the needs of Hosted Buyers and exhibitors

* More flexibility and free time for Hosted Buyers to make other appointments with exhibitors, in addition to the ones made by the Hosted Buyer team

* Tightening of criteria on the Hosted Buyers category, ensuring the quality of visitors, matched by a major programme of added benefits

* Improved traffic flows throughout all exhibition halls

* A new informative and easy to follow EIBTM website providing instant information and speedy services for exhibitors, visitors and the media.

* Convenient fast track on-line registration in just a few minutes

* An on-line diary, available a few weeks before the event, so that Hosted Buyers can plan their visit in advance by studying the information on each exhibitor, its products and services and identifying with whom they wish to conduct business and make appointments

* A new International Press Centre working area, exclusive to media with online computers, desks and other office equipment; this will free up the Press and PR Hospitality area for useful networking, interviews and small meetings

THE MAIN FEATURES

- James Rothnie, a director of the easyGroup, including easyJet, easyRentacar and the world's largest network of internet cafes is to speak about motivational skills in a highly competitive world, prior to officially opening EIBTM 2001 on Tuesday 29 May at 11.15 am. Mr. Rothnie is the group's spokesman and responsible for the establishment and consumer and corporate awareness of the controversial easy brand empire.

- The first EIBTM Awards, set to become the most prestigious 'Oscars' in Europe, will be presented for the first time at a glittering Awards Dinner at the Salon Genéve, Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva on Wednesday 30 May.

Ten primary business category awards will be presented, offering a major profile for the winning companies and organisations. A total of 15 experts from across Europe, one of the largest international judging panels ever brought together by the industry, met for a two-day session to select the winners. Tickets are now available for the dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva, priced at £120, (Euros 200) per person and £1,150 (Euros1900) for a table of ten, including drinks a four course dinner, the awards ceremony and entertainment. VAT will be charged as appropriate.

Contact Samantha Graham, EIBTM Awards, Haymarket Events, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP, UK; telephone +44 (0) 20 8267 4145; fax +44 (0) 20 8267 4331; e-mail sam.graham@haynet.com

- An EIBTM internet café, sponsored by INCON, The International Conference Network of Professional Conference Organisers, will mean that visitors and exhibitors can catch up on e-mails and keep in touch with their offices.

- A keynote presentation will take place at 12.30 pm on the Stage Area, immediately after the opening ceremony on Tuesday 29 May, of EIBTM's new international report on the MICE market, in conjunction with Travel & Tourism Intelligence (TTI), the world's foremost authority on specialist analysis on worldwide travel and tourism. The presentation, by report author, independent international journalist Bob Papworth, will seek to help exhibitors, visitors and the media to understand more about the industry and the factors inhibiting long term growth. The EIBTM MICE Report will be available for downloading on the website after the event.

- Europe's government tourism ministers, leading tourism Members of Parliament and the head's of key industry associations will meet at the Hotel du Rhone in Geneva on the evening before the start of EIBTM, to discuss major issues related to the industry's future development. The dinner will be hosted by Mr. Tom Nutley, managing director of Reed Travel Exhibitions and EFCT, the European Federation of Conference Towns. The group will debate industry-related issues. A report on their discussion will be available on the first day of EIBTM.

- Presentation of EIBTM's Worldwide Watch for 2001, at 11.00 am on Wednesday 30 May on the Stage Area, will identify one of the most exciting technology products for the industry. An independent panel of judges, chaired by Tom Hulton chief executive of ICCA, the International Meetings Association, is selecting the company or organisation who will be invited to make the WW presentation.

- For the first time, the presentation to participants of the EIBTM Forum for Young Professionals, will be held on the Stage Area, in conjunction with ICCA, immediately after the EIBTM MICE Report presentation. The forum highlights the importance of involving young people in the meetings and incentive industry and includes opportunities for education, networking and the chance to see EIBTM first hand.

Said Debbie Jackson: "EIBTM 2001 has never been better, with a unique and diverse range of features to cater for everyone, who ever they are and what ever their objectives."

" It all adds up to a stimulating business event. An unrivalled opportunity for both exhibitors and visitors to conduct business, network and learn more about the latest trends and developments within the incentive, business travel and meetings industry."