In order to make its events more appealing for association meeting planners, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has developed a new initiative called "My Association | My Club" for its Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) portfolio of trade shows, it announced today.
The new program -- which will debut at this year's European Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM), taking place Nov. 18-20 in Barcelona -- is the product of a focus group that RTE convened in May to discuss the needs of association planners. According to the group, association planners want to create their own agenda, to have time to network with their association peers, and to choose education sessions tailored to their unique business and career needs.
In response to those priorities, My Association | My Club will give association hosted buyers a number of exclusive benefits, including:
• My Time, My Schedule: A flexible schedule with the time and freedom to explore and discover new suppliers and innovations;
• My Meetings, My Choice: A personalized diary of pre-scheduled appointments with exhibitors of the association planner's choice;
• My Networking: An opportunity to connect with contacts and meet other international association peers at exclusive networking events, including networking breakfasts, luncheons, dinner and cocktail parties;
• My Knowledge: A selection of education sessions designed especially for association planners;
• My Hub: Exclusive access to a dedicated club lounge on the show floor with complimentary refreshments and lunch, Wi-Fi, and space to meet with contacts and peers, along with daily "huddles" during which association planners can share knowledge and expertise;
• My Support: A dedicated "Hub Helper" to assist association planners with registration;
• My Travel: Complimentary flights, rail travel and transfers for association hosted buyers, who for the first time will have the flexibility to choose their own travel times and length of stay; and
• My Hotel: Dedicated accommodations for association hosted buyers at a "hub" hotel.
"Having engaged with meeting planners across the sector and asked for their involvement in helping shape a new way to attend our events, we have listened and acted on what they have told us they want from their time at EIBTM," EIBTM Senior Exhibition Director Graeme Barnett said in a statement. "Association meeting planners have very specific needs and this new offer includes flexibility at its core. From freedom to explore the show floor and discover new suppliers, building an education program of their choice and having the time to meet with members of their community. It's all about creating their own personalized program and that is what the launch of My Association | My Club aims to deliver."