Inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific Event Rescheduled for April 2021

February 26, 2020

Ripples from the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to be felt by the meetings industry. Today, Reed Travel Exhibitions announced that it has postponed the inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific. Originally scheduled for Apr. 6-8, the event has been rescheduled to Apr. 13-14, 2021. The location (Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands) will remain the same.

According to Reed officials, the decision was made based on the latest advice from its partners, and after in-depth discussions with customers and hosted buyers regarding the coronavirus.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly,” said Shane Hannam, Reed Travel Exhibitions’ portfolio director for IBTM events. “Our customers, partners and team in Singapore have worked incredibly hard on the event, and while it is disappointing to postpone, it’s imperative that we prioritize the health and safety of everyone involved.”

He added, “We are extremely grateful for the understanding of our customers, partners and team, and for the strong support we have had since announcing this new addition to our portfolio.”  

Hannam said that Reed is committed to Singapore as a host city for IBTM Asia Pacific, and expressed the hope for a swift return to normalcy. He also stated that over the coming weeks, Reed will focus on creating new ways to keep the IBTM community connected. 

Dr. Edward Koh, executive director, conventions, meetings and incentive travel for Singapore Tourism Board, said that the tourism board will continue to work closely with Reed and partners to provide any assistance they need. 

“IBTM is a valued partner and their Asia Pacific show remains a key highlight in Singapore’s event calendar,” said Koh. “We look forward to extending a warm welcome to all attendees and exhibitors in 2021.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions hosts annual IBTM events around the world, all of which offer hosted buyer options. IBTM China is scheduled to be held in Beijing, Aug. 26-27, 2020, and as of now, there are no plans to change the dates for that event.

Update: the postponements and cancellations of trade shows have now spread outside of Asia to shows in Europe, including Baselworld and the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland; ITB Berlin in Berlin, Germany; Beauty Dusseldorf, Energy Storage Europe, METAV and ProWein in Dusseldorf, Germany. In the U.S., Facebook’s annual F8 Developer Conference and the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco are among a growing number of tech conferences to be postponed or canceled because of the coronavirus.

Photo credit: IBTM/Reed Travel Exhibitions

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? 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As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. 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Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.