Last month our project executive Georgina headed to IBTM in Barcelona, take a look at what she got up while she was there...
I have recently returned home from IBTM in Barcelona, I had a fantastic time connecting with so many people and learning about various destinations around the world! I spent three days meeting with Destination Management Companies, Convention Bureaus and Hoteliers; this has given me a deeper insight into places BeSure has used for past events, as well as new ideas for future briefs.
I had an early start on the first day to make sure I got to my first appointment on time, I landed in Barcelona around 11 am and met the other Hosted Buyers, we jumped on the coach and were taken straight to IBTM. As soon as I walked through the doors, all my senses were in full force! Each stand was vibrant with colour, some were playing traditional live music, others were serving cultural delicacies; it was a fun and engaging atmosphere to be in. I spent the day attending all my scheduled appointments, a conversation that really stood out for me was the one I had with the Lucerne Convention Bureau, Lucerne, known as “pocket-sized Switzerland”, as it’s within close proximity to the Alps, the Lakes, the mountains and the countryside. It’s easily accessible to most European countries being situated in central Europe, it’s also only a one-hour drive or train journey from Zurich Airport. The city of Lucerne offers numerous options for overnight accommodation in 56 hotels with over 6,000 beds and a wide array of venues that can fit up to 5,000 people. There are also endless activities to do from chartering a yacht on Lake Lucerne, catching the gondola up Mount Titlis and eating traditional Swiss food at the Panorama restaurant, as well as visiting the Kaltbach caves to discover the world of cheese! It seems like the ideal location for conferences and incentives.
That evening, I was invited to the Apartment at Boca Grande hosted by Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. I was so impressed with the venue; it had a fabulous rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city. The tapas food was sensational, and the Cava was flowing!
After a delicious buffet breakfast at the Barcelo Sants Hotel, I was ready for another full day at IBTM! It was another busy day full of appointments; one conversation that was a particular highlight was with Beachcomber Hotels, the longest-running and most luxurious hotel group in Mauritius. The locations of each hotel are idyllic, especially the Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury which is situated on the northwest coast along a pure white sandy beach; a stay here leaves you feeling like “royalty”. Not only was I super impressed by the properties themselves, but I was also really happy to hear that they take their environmental responsibility very seriously, their main focus is energy, water, waste management and biodiversity. On a social level, they also support vulnerable groups on the island such as young people and craft workers to help with community development. At BeSure, we’re passionate about sustainability, so choosing a venue that has the same ethos is very important to us. With so many activities to do on this beautiful island, it would be an unforgettable incentive trip!
That night, I went to a penthouse party at Hotel Sofia hosted by Hyatt. It was a fun-filled evening, each room of the penthouse had something going on; one with a masseuse, one with a photobooth and one with a magician!
It was the final day of IBTM, and I really wanted to make the most of my last few hours there. You could tell everyone’s social battery was draining a little but there was still a buzz in the air! It was another insightful day, however, there was one meeting which I thoroughly enjoyed; it was with Châteauform. It was useful for me to learn more about their venues as me and the BeSure team are running a conference event at Campus Belloch in January! Châteauform have residential meeting spaces in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands; each one is managed by a couple to give it that “home from home” feel. After a few more appointments, it was time to go home!
Although my time in Barcelona was non-stop, I found it so beneficial and would go to IBTM again next year, as well as other similar events. Everyone was so enthusiastic about their industries and their countries, and this has made me even more excited about what’s to come!
Like to see more of the things we get up at BeSure Events, then why not head to our case studies to learn more about our recent work, or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.
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