EIBTM delegates have helped more than 900 Ugandan schoolchildren to gain access to clean water by supporting an initiative organized by the water-aid charity Just a Drop. The event raised £5,000 for the project through entries to the EIBTM Awards and by donating on behalf of senior level professionals attending the EIBTM CEO Summit instead of a gift.

Capitalizing on Singapore’s recent ranking among the world’s top three cities for meetings and as Asia’s top Country and City for meetings by the Union of International Associations, the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB), a group of the Singapore Tourism Board attended EIBTM, the global meetings and incentives exhibition in Barcelona, Spain, together with a delegation of 19 Singapore tourism organizations.

EIBTM Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions announced the extension of the agreement with Turisme de Barcelona and the Fira de Barcelona to be the host city and venue for EIBTM for the next 5 years. The new contract will start running in 2009 until 2013.

Abu Dhabi, represented by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), participated in major conferences and exhibitions showcase EIBTM, which was held in Barcelona, Spain, from November 27 to 29.

The business tourism industry in Malaysia has enjoyed exponential growth during the last few years. MICE is an important segment of the tourism industry in Malaysia which has seen a big growth in the organization, hosting of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions rising from 473,486 foreign delegates in 2001 to 820,243 foreign delegates in 2006, representing an increase of 42 percent.

Diverse exhibitor representation continues to grow as EIBTM welcomes a DMC from Myanmar (Burma) exhibiting for the very first time. Following a visit to the show last year, the company ‘Adventure Myanmar’ believes that EIBTM is “the effective event for the incentive market” and the place to secure new business opportunities.