Holly Patrick sits down with IBTM World event director David Thompson
to discuss what delegates can expect from this year's show…
What’s new at this year’s IBTM World?
This year IBTM World is all about creating cultures and
reconnecting people who are now more disparate given the work-from-home ethos
which has emerged since the pandemic.
Events have always been the place to create the connections
that businesses need, but today, they're more than just the place to connect.
They're now the unique place to create real, human, cross-team, cross-business
cultures.
There will be several networking events, some returning for
the first time since before the pandemic, which will reflect the unique culture
of different destinations, including our hugely popular Networking Hour on the
show floor, Club Night, and our Welcome Party on day one of the event with
food, live music and dancing.
This year our Knowledge Programme stages will be situated in
the heart of the action on the show floor, featuring session tracks on the
event’s core cultural theme including connections, business, careers, brands
and experiences. IBTM Accelerate will showcase innovative ideas and have a
roster delivering inspirational short talks.
To free up time in buyers’ schedules to allow them to attend
other educational sessions and meetings over the course of the event, this year
our Elite Corporate Programme and Association Programme will take place the day
before the official start of the event, on Monday 28th November.
How are you encouraging young talent and new starters in
the industry to attend?
Events are now the place to progress and address the biggest
challenges of our times.
Event professionals, especially those just entering the
industry, can now make a big difference and help shape the future of the
industry. Students can attend on day three, and we help those just starting out
to skill up ready take on the new challenges.
This year we’re running a major campaign on social media
demonstrating the value and benefits of attending, including to a younger
audience. At IBTM World, you can experience a whole world of events under one
roof, and this is invaluable for those just starting out in the industry.
IBTM World is the place to be seen, reconnect with old
friends and make valuable new ones, so we would encourage all those just
starting out to make the most of all the varied networking opportunities on
offer, both within the Fira, as well as those which take place in the beautiful
city of Barcelona.
There will be exclusive educational content tailored to
those just starting out in the industry in the Knowledge Programme. Sessions
are also approved by the Events Industry Council, so all our conference
sessions count towards attendees’ CMP accreditation.
What’s IBTM World’s sustainability strategy for 2022?
We know that our events have an impact, and we are committed
to minimising those that are negative whilst continually seeking ways to
positively contribute to sustainable development.
Our approach is guided by the UN Sustainable Development
Goals, prioritising those where we can have the greatest impact and
demonstrating leadership through programming and content across our events.
What is IBTM World doing to ensure the show is
accessible?
The event takes place at the Fira, Barcelona which is a
short drive from Barcelona International Airport. We offer shuttle buses from
each terminal for exhibitors and visitors participating at IBTM World to make
it easy for them to get directly to and from the show.
We also partner with Lufthansa to offer discounted flights,
and we offer discounts on select hotels around the venue.
The venue is fully accessible using wheelchairs, power
wheelchairs and scooters, as all floors and conference centres can be reached
through unobstructed access. All the front desk counters are also adapted with
one section of the desk at a height of 80cm and bars and self-service counters
are accessible to wheelchair users. Lift control panels are adapted to the
height of wheelchair users and most have braille text accompanying the floor
numbers.
Every area in the venue can be reached by lifts, including
all conference centres and the metro connection. Stairs are fitted with
handrails and all corridors have a clear width of a minimum 120cm.
All the show features on the exhibition floor at IBTM World
are fully accessible and exhibitor stands have been designed to remove all
barriers to service.
