IBTM World recently came to a close with organisers claiming 100,000 business meetings took place at the show. They also reported 10,000 attendees had gathered in Barcelona for the three days of the event.

The post-show report said over 2,200 exhibiting companies from 150 countries around the world were in attendance and IBTM World, along with 3,500 buyers.

Commenting on their experience at IBTM World, Zinhle Nzama, acting chief convention bureau officer at the South African National Convention Bureau said: “One of the key takeouts so far is collaboration and partnerships.

“A lot of the meetings that have taken place on the stand have resulted in business leads. We continue to see how face to face interactions are imperative in business events.”

Show highlights

The Corporate Experiences Day offered a tailored day of learning for Corporate Buyers, providing an interactive look at the latest technology and sustainability developments within the events industry. The Association Leaders’ Forum considered the role that associations play in the new landscape.

In partnership with ACS, IBTM World’s Knowledge Programme was “well-attended” with interactive sessions focusing on the event’s core theme of ‘culture creation’ including session tracks on connections, business, careers, brands and experiences.

During IBTM World, several sessions revealed the latest market trends and insights, including the Global Meetings & Events Trends report presented by AMEX.

In addition, the annual IBTM World Trends Watch report, presented by its author, Alistair Turner, MD of Eight PR, explored how current world events are shaping culture, influencing both the events we create, and the people that attend them. 

The Stand Awards also returned this year. 

Next edition

During the event, IBTM announced that it has signed a new three-year contract with Barcelona Convention Bureau and Fira de Barcelona that will see IBTM World take place in the city up to and including the 2025 edition.

The new contract builds on the existing 18-year relationship between the three organisations, with the next edition confirmed at Fira Gran Via for 28–30 November 2023.

Commenting on the close of the event, David Thompson, event director, IBTM World, said: “IBTM World 2022 has been a fantastic success, surpassing all our expectations with more quality one-to-one business meetings taking place per attendee than in 2019.

“There has been a real sense of excitement and we look forward to returning to Barcelona in 2023.”