The organizers of IBTM World report that exhibitor sales are strong for the 2023 edition of the show, which will feature a reinvigorated education program continuing the show’s culture creation theme.

Sixty percent of the floor space for IBTM World 2023, which will be held November 28-30 at Fira Barcelona in Spain, has already been sold, surpassing sales at the same point in 2019.

Exhibiting destinations include The Croatian National Tourist Board – a rising star of the European meetings industry; Meet Boston, which is launching their new brand at the event; Enit Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo, which is back with a strong regional presence along with multiple private companies; and Meet In Ireland, which is returning with over 35 suppliers from across the island of Ireland.

Melia Hotels International will attend to launch its new hotel in Barcelona, and Romania’s Backstage Production Group, a full-service event production company, will be joining for the first time.

On the Hosted Buyer side, major international associations have already confirmed their attendance including the European Society of Cardiology, International Association for Enterprise Information Systems, United Networks of International Event Organizers (UNICEO), World Energy Council, and the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce.

Multinational corporations sending representatives to the show include DELL Tech, Forbes, Intel, Michelin, Delta Air Lines, Sportradar, Puma Sports, Citigroup Inc, Amex GBT, Aareal Bank AG, and Zalando.

Event agencies in attendance include Aim Group International, BCD Meetings & Events, CWT Meetings & Events, Helmsbriscoe, HPN Global, Kuoni Global Travel Services AG, TUI, Opus Agency, Morris Meetings & Events, and VOYEL.

IBTM World 2023 adds to education program

The show’s reinvigorated education program features five distinct areas, all serving different needs: the Main Stage, the Impact Stage, Workplace Revolution, ReFuel, and the Associations Leaders’ Forum. The show’s theme of culture creations is embedded into each pillar.

The Impact Stage will make its debut this year, acting as the best-in-class showcase for the work that destinations, hotels, and tech suppliers are doing across sustainability, D&I, experience design and more. Destination sessions will be curated by The Business Of Events, the Global Think Tank and Policy Platform for the business events industry, and will also feature the launch of the annual Global Destination Report. The 20-minute sessions will focus on case studies and best practices, delivering maximum information in minimum time to attendees.

Also new this year is Workplace Revolution – a welcoming space where attendees can make the valuable connections they weren’t expecting. Here they can continue conversations in a relaxed setting with inspirational figures (including speakers from the Main Stage), dissect topics in greater detail and ask those burning questions. With amenities, comfortable seating and informal campfire-style atmosphere, this is the place for people to come together, connect and enjoy key aspects of business culture that they might be missing with the increase in working from home.

In recognition of the importance of wellbeing, especially at busy trade shows like IBTM World 2023, and the increasing pressures that we all face in our daily lives, IBTM’s wellbeing hub has re-branded to “ReFuel.” A zen-like pod which allows attendees time and space to relax and recharge their physical and mental batteries, it includes a wellbeing bar, sound and aromatherapy healing and solo working area.

The Association Leaders’ Forum (ALF) will be back on the first day of the show to help associations increase the impact of their gatherings around the globe and conquer challenges to achieve success in 2024 and beyond.

The Main Stage remains a fixture of the IBTM World Program with inspiring figures from inside and outside of the events industry taking to the stage to tackle the latest topics and trends through inspirational keynotes, panel debates, and game-changing research. New to the Main Stage this year will be an afternoon of inspiring and empowering marketing content, curated in partnership with experts at The Thought Partnership, who have led content and marketing at businesses including Cannes Lions and Dow Jones. 

David Thompson, event director, IBTM World, comments: “Business events can be a profound force for change; both economic and social. Events have the power to bring better business results and drive forward agendas around important initiatives. Events are also a place to build communities and create vibrant and positive cultures which are sorely missing from modern working. This year, we’re on a mission to show business the true power of events and shine a spotlight on the #culturecreators who run them.”