Hello, everyone!

This time, we participated in our second exhibition in Barcelona with two members, Murakami and Matsumoto!
We are here to deliver an even more enhanced experience compared to last time!

Previously, we used to upload a journal after the exhibition had ended, but this time, to bring you the information sooner, we are reporting from the very first day of the exhibition!

First up

This year’s Tokyo booth:
An open and sustainable design using recycled wood and cardboard.

This year’s GP booth:
We are contributing to sustainability by conducting paperless business discussions.

Overview of IBTM World 2024

IBTM World Website

IBTM World is one of the world’s leading events for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) industry, held annually in Barcelona. It serves as a platform to connect with the right partners to drive business success.

Each year, over 2,500 exhibitors gather to showcase captivating destinations, hotels, and high-quality suppliers, offering networking opportunities with more than 12,000 industry professionals.

Key Takeaways from the Exhibition

At this year’s IBTM, we focused our sales efforts primarily on the Middle East market.
In this journal, we’ll report on our approach to the Middle East and the activities of the GP team over the three-day event!

November 19 (Tuesday) Business Session: Day 1

Strengthening Connections in the Middle East

During this exhibition, we focused our sales activities on the Middle East as the main target region.

Dubai

Discussion Details:
Since the exhibitors were exclusively resort hotels, we primarily discussed collaboration opportunities for unique venues.

Learnings:
We realized the challenges of hosting events in Dubai, as the exhibitors mentioned they have no prior experience working on projects with Japanese clients.

Abu Dhabi

Discussion Details:
The exhibitors were government officials specializing in global conferences. We conducted interviews to understand how they engage with events.

Learnings:
We learned that hosting conferences in Abu Dhabi requires government applications and support. After submitting an event proposal and meeting government guidelines, it’s possible to receive financial assistance to some extent. This was a unique initiative specific to the Abu Dhabi government, and we gained valuable insights.

Qatar

Discussion Details:
We spoke with a DMC representative to understand the advantages and challenges of hosting events in Qatar.

Learnings:
While they have no prior experience with Japanese client projects, the DMC representative, a former cabin crew member, mentioned their understanding of Japanese culture enables them to efficiently manage logistics and tour arrangements. We learned that it is crucial to connect with representatives who understand Japanese culture when planning events in Qatar.

Impressions of the Middle East Region

The booths in the Middle East section were focused exclusively on supporting the region, so we couldn’t connect directly with clients. However, we successfully expanded our network within the Middle East.

We believe this could present opportunities for future projects, particularly in advancing collaborations for unique venues. We look forward to leveraging these connections moving forward.

IBTM Photo Highlights

Wrapping Up Day 1

Here’s a quick update on the first day of the exhibition!
We will continue to target the Middle East market on Day 2 and Day 3.
On November 21 (Day 3), I’ll be presenting at the booth, so I’m ready to give it my all!