Sunshine Matters

The Sunshine State recently played host to one of the leading exhibitions for the U.S. meetings, events, incentive and business travel industry.  Held in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center, the 2014 Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition –  better known as AIBTM – welcomed more than 3,000 top level decision makers for meetings and incentive business travel who met with corporate planners to talk about top meeting destinations across the globe.

VISIT FLORIDA, along with several of our partners, showcased Florida and its diverse destinations for meetings and convention opportunities.  Over the three days, we also had hundreds of one-on-one appointments with corporate planners in our newly designed Florida stand.

In addition, Visit Orlando and VISIT FLORIDA co-hosted the buyers reception at The Mall at Millenia.  More than 500 planners were in attendance at the event, connecting under a stunning glass atrium while soaking in the fashion forward spirit of a world-famous shopping destination.

During the convention, AIBTM announced a new format for the conference and trade show, in addition to its new name, IBTM America.  IBTM America 2015 will mark the start of a new concept that will remove the costs associated with exhibiting at a trade show by designing a unique turnkey solution where an innovative pod design, completely integrated in an exhibitor meeting space, will give privacy to meetings between buyers and suppliers.

VISIT FLORIDA looks forward to participating in this new format next year.  For more information about IBTM America, click here.  If you would like to learn more about how Florida tourism businesses can benefit from participation in VISIT FLORIDA’s corporate meetings programs, please contact me at chatcher@VISITFLORIDA.org.