EIBTM to tighten up hosted-buyer rules

Paul Kennedy, the exhibition director for EIBTM said hosted buyers to shows like AIME in Melbourne were generally professional and seldom missed appointments, which they are obliged to make with exhibitors as part of their hosted status. "It's naturally far more complex with a show the size of EIBTM, but we're moving to a position where we'll accept no more than one missed appointment. Attendance has been patchy. We owe it to exhibitors that buyers meet their obligations." Kennedy said EIBTM was looking to charge a cancellation fee and also refuse to host buyers who fail to submit their prescheduled appointment list ahead of the show. EIBTM is extending its activity in the meetings industry well beyond its trade show and in July took a group of 40 hosted buyers from Europe to attend the Meetings Africa event in Johannesburg. "We've had excellent feedback from that show. We see our business as being a year-round activity, rather than simply a three-day trade show," said Kennedy. He predicted EIBTM would be at least as big as last year's show and was pleased with the level of support from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau. Kennedy said China will become a major player in the meetings and business events sector and part of EIBTM.