Whereas in the past this exclusive program for professional associations organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions during EIBTM in Barcelona – one of the world´s foremost congress trade fairs for the meetings and incentive industry – the program was sponsored by a single convention bureau, enabling the Vienna Convention Bureau to give a “solo performance”. The program – designed principally for networking and lobbying – comprised breakfast, lunch and an evening reception, with room decorations based entirely on Vienna themes. Some 150 decision-makers in the international congress business who had travelled to EIBTM from all parts of the world were presented with miniature Sacher cakes.

Astrid Vuketich, CMP, the Vienna Convention Bureau´s Market Manager responsible for the Vienna stand at EIBTM, summarized the event as follows: “As a result of this unique positioning, Vienna was able to cut a high profile amongst potential customers. We were also able to emphasize our excellent working relationship with Reed Travel Exhibitions and EIBTM over the years, and the resulting situation of mutual trust.” Erica Keogan, Associations and Education Manager with Reed Travel Exhibitions, paid the bureau an exceptional compliment when she emphasized that: “In acting as exclusive sponsor, Vienna not only took optimal advantage of this opportunity of raising its profile, but in our opinion also provided the best Association Program that we have ever been able to offer customers attending EIBTM.”