Back

EIBTM 2007

One has to say that in part the shows success can be attributed to the strength of the worlds currencies in relation to the dollar, but even so, many of the European exhibitors where also having their best show in years.

The show certainly benefits from their "Hosted Buyer" program, which directed through regional industry players worldwide source potential buyers from their regions and the show pays to fly them to Barcelona and put them up for the show.  Many of these buyers are also  hosted on pre & post fam trips as well as public relations parties and dinners by various big budget exhibitors.

Another excellent idea is the on-line meetings calendars each exhibitor is allotted. The calendars can be accessed by both the buyers and exhibitors and manipulated to ensure that the right type of buyer meets with the right exhibitor.  Each buyer is required to do a minimum number of meetings to qualify for the trip thereby ensuring all the exhibitors get an opportunity to meet with hosted buyers.  It is a system that works well.  In recent years to ensure the hosted buyers do in fact work the show they are fined if they miss any of their preset appointments.

Going over the huge amount of enquiries received on our booth on the show floor, everyone felt they had a serious chance of closing numerous programs.  Time will tell.

SITE's International Conference - Monterey, California.

The choice of seminars was well chosen with a good mix of interesting subjects.

The host hotel was in the midst of a major refurbishment and received mixed reviews. The only function held on property was the SITE Crystal Awards Presentation Luncheon which went off well apart from a  mix up with one of the visual presentation which somehow got out of sequence.  Regrettable the meal served was pretty awful as it appeared to have been kept under heat for way to long.

The other events where very well and professional presented, the numerous local suppliers as well as business, from wine producers to food suppliers, really got behind the events.  The result was extremely well received by the travel industry professionals attending the event and a credit to Monterey and all the local people of all walks of life who gave not only their time, but also their products to make this such a memorable event.

SITE always holds interesting and useful functions and this was no exception.  There where numerous opportunities for networking and one came away with a good feeling that much had been accomplished.

The holiday season may be fast approaching but business has not slowed down.

Our key people who many of you know - Leon Banossian, Diana Bloss, Steve Bloss , Jim Huff, Jim Castle would all like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their continued confidence in allowing Worldwide to work with them on their clients programs thought 2007.

Looking at the list of business in the works for 2008 we should also thank them for the coming year also.  It is heartening to see the amount of repeat business which Worldwide receives from it's clients, obviously we must be doing something very right.

On the subject of doing things right - I am frequently asked by a number of our clients why or even if, we intend to take direct business as do some of the other companies doing similar things with cruises... the answer is NO... we fully intend to ONLY work with other Travel Professionals in the business travel segment.  We do NOT have any intention to become a cruise incentive house and run our own programs even though we are frequently approached to do so.

We view this as a serious conflict of interest and one that could easily create a certain nervousness from our clients perspective as to whether we would approach their clients directly at a later date.

This will be our last newsletter for 2007 so it seem like an appropriate time to wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a successful 2008.