EIBTM to change dates and move to Barcelona

Barcelona has been chosen as the venue for the 17th EIBTM, the world’s leading meetings and incentive industry event.

The Spanish city will be the host for the first time in December 2004 for a five-year period. 

Barcelona was chosen as the most preferred choice of exhibitors, group co-ordinators, Hosted Buyers and other trade visitors, in independent research carried out on behalf of EIBTM.

Barcelona’s state-of-the-art venue, range and number of four and five-star hotels, transportation network, outstanding gastronomic restaurants, and dynamic and exciting attractions and nightlife were all deciding factors in making the final decision.

EIBTM’s switch from the current venue at Palexpo, Geneva to the Fira de Barcelona also means the event changes from May to December.

The decision follows the latest research findings with international buyers, which demonstrates that April and May is one of their busiest periods of the year.

Late November and early December was thought by buyers to be one of the most convenient times in their annual work programme to schedule a visit to an industry event.

The first event to be held at the new venue will be between 30 November – 2 December, 2004.

Mr.Tom Nutley, Managing Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of EIBTM, said the decision to choose Barcelona was, “an extremely tough one to make”.

“The standard of presentation and competition from the final short listed cities was very high and the senior management group, responsible for having to make the decision, had an agonising task. The final decision was made by ballot and, in the end, Barcelona won by a clear margin.”

The group, led by Mr. Nutley, were: Debbie Jackson, Exhibition Director, Jane Larcombe, PR Director, Alix Blumsom, Customer Relationship Management Director, Jane Brook, Operations Director and John Standley of Reed Travel Services. Initially, the group studied detailed submissions from ten European cities, before coming up with a shortlist of five - Barcelona, Geneva, Lisbon, Madrid and Vienna.

“Barcelona is the world’s top city for scheduled meetings* and EIBTM’s management group were unanimously impressed with Barcelona’s overwhelming enthusiasm, commitment, expertise and drive. This formula is combined with the undoubted charm and excitement of a city that has all the necessary criteria and facilities for helping us to stage an innovative, effective and enjoyable global event at an unprecedented level," said Mr Nutley.

“Barcelona won the bid fairly and deservedly, but I do not want to underestimate the quality of the bids made by the other short listed cities. We appreciate their hard work and the time taken to prepare their detailed tenders and to show the management group around their home cities.

“The final decision is certainly not a negative reflection of all these other wonderful destinations and we hope they will continue to work with EIBTM, now and in the future.

“The move to Barcelona for a five-year period will assist the global industry in its mission to build and improve business, in conjunction with EIBTM and it’s close and flourishing industry partnerships with key associations such as MPI, ICCA and SITE,” said Mr. Nutley.

“The decision to move to a new venue every five years allows other potential and emerging European cities the chance to tender for the event and, at the same time, maximise a brilliant opportunity to showcase their meetings and incentive capabilities to the whole world.

“This is a great opportunity for the international meetings and incentive industry to unite behind an established global industry event at an exciting, popular and, above all, cutting edge destination.

“And at a time of the year that is proven to be the most convenient and most attractive to the majority of buyers”, said Mr. Nutley.

“Everyone who has worked on EIBTM is particularly sad to be leaving Geneva. The camaraderie of the team at Palexpo, the helpfulness of the local and national tourism authorities and the warmth and friendship of the people and businesses in Geneva will remain with us for years to come.

“We will miss them greatly, but are determined that EIBTM 2003, which is now our final year in Geneva, will be an opportunity to say a fond goodbye to Geneva in a fitting manner. We want to pay tribute to the invaluable role it has played throughout the years, not only in the escalating success of the event but to the industry as a whole. EIBTM 2003 in Geneva will be efficient, constructive and fun, with the focus on improvement and innovation.”

Barcelona has greeted the news of their success with enthusiasm and delight.

Mr. Joan Gaspart, President of the local Host Committee, said, ” Barcelona is an exciting city and I am sure that both exhibitors and buyers will enjoy visiting us every year. I want to offer a warm welcome to everyone. EIBTM in Barcelona will be an unbeatable combination, providing the international industry with strong expertise, heavyweight experience and a location that is second to none.”

Airy Garrigosa, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, Member of the ICCA Board of Directors and Chairperson of ICCA’s Category D said she was looking forward to welcoming the international industry to Barcelona for EIBTM 2004. She said, “Winning a bid is always nice, but EIBTM is the best! I feel very proud of my city. “

EIBTM 2004 Official Carrier will be Iberia who will offer exhibitors and trade visitors discounted rates.

Mr. Pere Duran, Director of Turisme de Bacelona pledged that his organisation would do everything possible to make sure that EIBTM 2004 would be an outstanding success. “I am sure Barcelona will fulfil everybody’s expectations,” he said. “We will do our utmost to to ensure the continued success of EIBTM.”

Major Joan Clos, Mayor of Barcelona thanked the many industry professionals who had supported the bid for EIBTM.

He said, “The inaugural EIBTM in Barcelona coincides in 2004 with the Universal Forum of Cultures, which is expected to attract thousands of additional visitors from all over the world. This news is further confirmation of the city’s position as a top quality tourism destination, especially for the business and meetings industry.

“Barcelona, its exhibition facilities and hotels, its cultural and leisure offer and, especially, its citizens, will welcome the meetings and incentive industry with total professionalism and enthusiasm.”

EIBTM has confirmed that ‘Tecnomeeting’, a three-day annual business exhibition catering for the congress, convention and incentive industry and held in June at Fira de Barcelona, will be incorporated into EIBTM 2004. This year, the exhibition had nearly 400 exhibitors, 3,312 visitors and 444 Hosted Buyers.

Mr. Nutley said that that ‘Tecnomeeting’ was an important industry event that has made an effective business contribution to the industry, particularly for the Spanish speaking market. He said, “ Tecnomeeting has become a significant event and we are anxious that its name should continue to be known as part of EIBTM.“

* Source ICCA Data ‘Top Cities by Total Number of Scheduled Meetings (2001)’

BARCELONA HAS IT ALL

Barcelona has a climate envied by most of Spain and Europe complimented by a thriving cultural scene. It has a rich and varied history, world-class architecture, some of the best restaurants and food in the world, exciting nightlife, shopping, a cathedral and a fascinating Gothic Quarter in the heart of the old city, with a maze of medieval roadways, opening on to quiet leafy squares.

It also boasts one of the cleanest city beaches anywhere in the world.

No one visits Barcelona for business or pleasure without checking out some of the modern building style of the celebrated genius of Gaudi.

In July this year, Barcelona won the Best Overall European City Award from the respected UK national magazine ‘Time Out’.

In 2001, ‘Conde Nast Traveller’ voted Barcelona as the Best Urban Destination in the world.

Consistently cited as one of the top world meetings destinations by leading industry/statistical authorities: UIA 2001: number 12 in the world, number 9 in Europe; ICCA 2001: number 5 in the world, and number 1 for scheduled international meetings.

Excellent transportation routes (non stop flights to 44 European cities).

Barcelona is also Europe’s leading cruise harbour ( Lloyds Cruise International).

Eating and Drinking Barcelona Style

There is no shortage of restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Barcelona. Different areas of the city offer specific types of food and ambience.

The Born and Raval has new designer restaurants, while the Zona Alta offers more upmarket choices. 

The best place for traditional seafood is in the old fishing district of Barceloneta.

Hotels in Barcelona

Barcelona offers 18,303 bedrooms in all hotel categories and has new projects for a further 7,234 to be completed before EIBTM 2004.

There are currently eight five-star hotels with 2,442 rooms and 65 four-star hotels, offering 8,058 rooms. By next year there will be a further three five-star hotels and seven four-star hotels in the city.

All the hotels are within 30 minutes of the venue and preferential rates will be offered for EIBTM.

Flights

Iberia Airlines will be EIBTM’s Official Carrier for Barcelona, offering discounted rates to exhibitors and trade visitors. The carrier has considerable experience in covering special travel needs for major conferences, conventions and incentive travel. 

The company is a member of ‘Oneworld’, the leading international airline alliance, offering services from 560 destinations in 134 countries. There is a direct booking centre for customers to Barcelona from the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France and French-speaking Belgium.

Trains

Barcelona is an important rail link connecting with the remainder of Spain and Europe.

By 2004, the Spanish High Speed Train will link Barcelona with Madrid in only two and a half hours.

Barcelona will also be linked with the European high speed train network by 2005.

Local Transportation in Barcelona

There are more than 50 scheduled airlines flying into Barcelona Airport, which is located 12 km from the city.

It serves 27 domestic, 44 European and 45 international destinations.

Barcelona has five metro lines, covering 85 kilometres and passing through 114 stations. It also has a city railway network.

There are also 11,000 taxis with bi-lingual drivers.

Shopping

A wide choice of designer and more affordable but wellknown shops.

Clothing, shoes, scarves, bed linen, hats and handbags are good buys and are cheaper than the equivalent in other countries.

Barcelona also has more than 50 colourful markets.

Sample Prices

· Average cost of a taxi to and from the airport €16.00

· A typical meal for one person €18-25.00

· A coffee and snack €1.52

· Theatre ticket €27.00

· VAT in Spain is 7% on hotels, restaurants, transport and coaches and 16% on all other items.

FIRA DE BARCELONA – THE VENUE

The Fira de Barcelona is one of the leading trade fair venues in the Mediterranean area.

Its historic, constantly updated exhibition halls occupy an area of 250,000 sq metres and plays host to 2 million visitors each year, representing all sectors of commerce.

Montjuic 2

The Montjuïc 2 venue will be the location of EIBTM 2004. It is purpose built and designed for trade exhibitions, using the latest state-of-the-art technology.

The venue is situated ten minutes from Barcelona Airport and 20 minutes from the city centre.

The building design facilitates the easy transportation of goods, reducing build-up and dismantling times.

The total complex offers more than 111,000 square metres of exhibition space.

A total of 15 permanent catering outlets are on site, seating up to 2,400 visitors at one time. These include fast food cafeterias, pizzerias, restaurants serving Mediterranean cuisine and brasseries. There is also the exclusive Univers Restaurant, serving haute cuisine.

A personalised catering service fulfils the needs of exhibitors at their stands.

Multi-purpose conference rooms are available as well as an auditorium for 465 executives and permanent catering services. This means the building can accommodate individual industry or association conferences and seminars organised in tandem with EIBTM 2004.

There is underground parking for 1,200 plus a further 200 open air parking places.

THE SPANISH MEETINGS AND INCENTIVE INDUSTRY

According to the Union of International Associations statistics for 2001 (Top International Meetings Countries in 2001), Spain has the sixth largest share of the international meetings business in the world and is estimated to be valued at €1.441 million.

The outgoing Spanish market is estimated to be worth €30 million.

In comparison to 2000, statistics from the Spanish Convention Bureau estimate that the market has grown by 6% in 2001.

This year ICCA predicts that Spain will have 5.8% market share of global business (Top 25 Countries by Number of Meetings) and 5.3% in 2003.

This compares very favourably with Germany, for example, which is expected to have a 5.2%% market share this year and 4.8% in 2003.

USA, which tops the market share chart, is forecast to have 9.2% share for this year and 8.2% in 2003.

Spain is in third place for the greatest number of participants (for meetings attended by between 50 and 10,000 delegates) country by country last year.

Barcelona

ICCA Data cites Barcelona as the Worldwide Number One City in 2001 by total number of scheduled meetings.

The association’s research also reveals that Barcelona is in fifth position out of the world’s top meetings and incentives cities (Total Number of Participants to International Meetings per City 1998-2001) with 44,408 visitors to meetings last year.

Top city regarding the number of participants is Paris, followed by Berlin, Lisbon, Seoul and Barcelona.