The organizers of IBTM World are feeling pretty good going into next week’s event, set to take place Nov. 19-21 in Barcelona. This year, the event has double the number of first-time exhibitors compared to 2018, according to show officials.

Of the more than 2,600 exhibitors confirmed to attend the 2019 event, at least 35 have never participated before. The countries of Mallorca, Greece, Azerbaijan, Macau, South Korea and Croatia are among the first-time exhibitors.

Other new exhibitors this year include The Hoxton, Israel Ministry of Tourism, The Gleneagles Hotel, Renfe, Goyang CVB, Maison Albar Hotels, Silver Tours, Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau, GatherNext, Travel Ray Software, Guidebook UK Ltd, bnetwork and Virtway Events.

“We are delighted that so many new exhibitors have chosen to attend IBTM World this year,” said David Thompson, event director for IBTM World. “This is fantastic for the growth of our industry, and great news for our Hosted Buyers and visitors, as it offers them an incredibly broad and diverse range of exhibitors to do business with.”

He continued, “In addition to the new exhibitors, we look forward to welcoming back our many established exhibitors for what is set to be an action-packed and rewarding few days.” 

Nearly 2,700 hosted buyers will also attend IBTM World, with strong representation from associations and corporate buyers. Across the three-day event, they will have the opportunity to attend educational programs, hear from four keynote speakers (including consultant and writer Lucy Bloom, business professor Margarita Mayo, digital philosopher and “professional disruptor” Aric Dromi, and cave diver John Volanthen) and experience a new speaker showcase event.

Also new this year are the IBTM Accelerate Zone, meant to help attract and nurture entrepreneurial talent, as well as a roster of social events, including a street-festival-inspired welcome party and lively networking hours. 

Post-event, many hosted buyers will be embarking on tours of destinations such as Zagreb, Croatia; Catalonia, Spain (U.S. only); Copenhagen (China only); and Noordwijk, the Netherlands (U.S., Canada, North and West Europe). 

To learn more about IBTM World, go here.

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