EIBTM undermined by travel fiasco for buyers

By Miles Clarke GENEVA EIBTM, the world's leading trade show for the conference and incentive travel industries, faces an uphill battle to restore its reputation following shambolic travel arrangements for hundreds of hosted buyers for this year's event. Travel for hundreds of the 3,000 expected buyers was in chaos days before the start of the show, which drew exhibitors from 120 countries. Reed Travel Exhibitions managing director Mr Tom Nutley had to apologise to hosted buyers when, less than a week from the start of the show, a travel company handling the arrangements of the hosted buyers had failed to deliver. Buyers were requested to make their own travel arrangements to be refunded by EIBTM. The result was the last-minute cancellation by hundreds of corporate meeting planners and association buyers, mostly from Europe, but also long-haul destinations. Ms Kirsten Strand, managing director of event company PGI, had made her own way to Rome, only to find that the EIBTM-organised connection to Geneva had not materialised. Nor had her hotel booking. In an interview with CEI Asia Pacific Mr Nutley did not rule out litigation when the full facts from the travel fiasco were ascertained. He said the events had been regrettable, but was heartened by news from some exhibitors that they were doing good business. He was also confident by the end of the show more than 3,000 buyers would attend. "All our travel shows' attendances are down since September 11, but it looks as if EIBTM will only be down less than 5%, which is a good outcome in the circumstances," Mr Nutley said. Mr Mike Lee, an executive with Horizons Travel in Singapore, said there had been a significant increase in "no shows" for appointments as a result of the travel problems experienced by many hosted buyers. "I'll be thinking long and hard before deciding whether to return next year," he said. The talk on the floor of EIBTM this year was all about the launch of the competitor event, IMEX in Frankfurt next year. Most large exhibitors will book both shows next year before deciding which to support in the long term. The long-term future for EIBTM from 2004 will be decided in the next few months. Current bidders for the right to host the show include Geneva, Vienna, Barcelona and Madrid.