AMERICAS – Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings exhibition (AIBTM), which takes place 11-13 June at McCormick Place in Chicago, is planning a higher level of networking platforms to enhance attendee experience.
“We asked attendees, suppliers and industry stakeholders to provide their reactions to their past AIBTM experience and current needs,” says Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Exhibition Director for AIBTM, Michael Lyons. “Several common themes emerged from their input. They told us they wanted additional opportunities to meet, share ideas and solve problems with colleagues.”
As a result, AIBTM says this year’s theme, ‘Defining the Future of Meetings… Together’, has had a significant influence on the programme planning and scheduled events for the show.
On 10 June, the evening prior to Education Day, AIBTM will take early arrival Hosted Buyers, media and exhibitors ‘out to the ball game’ where the Chicago Cubs will take on the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.
AIBTM kicks off on 11 June with an education programme featuring sessions on globalisation, technology and business management. The opening luncheon keynote will feature J. Walker Smith, Principal of The Futures Company. The day concludes with a Networking Party at Navy Pier, featuring the ‘Best of Chicago’.
Beginning on Wednesday, on the tradeshow floor at McCormick Place, there will be one-on-one networking opportunities with other meeting facilities facilitated through a number of special events and affinity group lounges on the show floor, including Market Focus sessions that have been expanded to include Latin America and Asia, as well as the return of the Market Focus on Europe, a Speakers Showcase and Future Events Experience.
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) will host ‘Party with a Purpose @ AIBTM’ on Wednesday evening at nightclub The Underground.
With connection key this year, AIBTM has joined with i-Meet, a social network for meeting and event planners. All AIBTM exhibitors, attendees and stakeholders will be encouraged to participate in this active online community to engage with their peers, suppliers and colleagues to facilitate meaningful conversations before, during and after the show.
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