Reed Travel Exhibitions' 21st annual European meetings exposition, EIBTM, concluded this week in Barcelona, where it attracted a record number of hosted buyers, hosted a record number of pre-scheduled buyer-supplier meetings and welcomed a record number of education program attendees, EIBTM Exhibition Director Mandy Torrens announced yesterday.

According to Torrens, EIBTM 2009 drew 8,000 overall attendees, including 3,791 hosted buyers, up 2 percent from 2008; 54,255 pre-scheduled meetings, up 4 percent; and over 3,000 education program attendees, up 15 percent.

"These figures show not only how resilient the meetings market is in challenging times, but the reputation EIBTM has as the place to do business, learn and network," Torrens said in a statement. "We welcomed our largest ever gathering of hosted buyers from Europe, Africa, Asia, U.S., South America, Middle East, Far East and Australia, and we are already receiving requests for space next year."

EIBTM 2010 will take place next year in Barcelona, from Nov. 30, 2010, until Dec. 2, 2010. For more information, visit www.eibtm.com. This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy