Strictly Business
After last year’s success, IBTM India is geared up to host the second edition of table top meetings between buyers and sellers at the ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai from September 3-5, 2014. Shinu Pillai, Exhibition Manager, IBTM India and Africa, Reed
Q How is a table top event different from trade exhibitions?
We underwent an immense amount of research and planning before we came up with the format of oneto-one, invite-only event for IBTM India. The quality of buyers and sellers goes up immediately as they are more focussed and business-oriented as there’s nothing else happening on the side.
Q How does something like this work in India?
In a country like India, this kind of an event makes most sense. The drawback at a trade show is that it’s
open to all. The exhibitors spend huge amount of money on their stalls, flyers and standees; whereas the buyer is left confused with the variety of options available and it’s difficult to do business in such a set-up. IBTM, on the other hand, brings a sense of credibility to such transactions. We scrutinise the exhibitors, and after our selection process, we host 50 buyers from the world over and bring them to India. The buyers too go through a round of filtration and are handpicked in advance. Once the list of buyers and exhibitors are finalised, they are acquainted with each other through mailers and our website. Finally before the ‘D’ day, they can do all their research and decide who they want to meet. Both exhibitors and buyers have a say here and appointments are scheduled on mutual consent. Fifteen minutes are provided for each meeting, and ideally, in a two-day event, we organise 36 appointments for each 18 a day.
Q What was the response to last year’s event?
It was beyond our expectations. We were a little nervous as last year was our first table top event ever, and also the first one in India. Mumbai was an obvious choice for such an event, but since the event was successful and the buyers and exhibitors were able to cease business deals on the spot, we got a number of requests to host the event again.
Q Why choose Chennai this year?
India is a beautiful country with gorgeous landscapes and so much to explore. South India is always an attraction for people and Chennai is a gateway to that. The city has good MICE facilities, offers scenic beauty and is well connected through air and roadways, so we decided to host the event there. The idea is to slowly host these events at new or lesser known destinations, which will help showcase India’s beautiful culture, cuisine, landscapes and promote inbound MICE travel.
Q Tell us about this year’s exhibitors and buyers.
Well, we have many new exhibitors coming in this year, and the participation has increased from last year. In terms of buyers, we don’t repeat them. IBTM is very loyal to their exhibitors so we make sure we get new buyers each time, and help them reach out to newer people, of course, we run a background check and make sure they have been in the business for long.
Q Lastly, your comments on the Indian MICE market—outbound and inbound.
There are no two ways about it that majority action is in outbound travel than inbound. Because of the increase in Visa-on-Arrival, it’s become easy to take these events outside. Better infrastructure and airfares add to outbound travel. In terms of inbound, that is also opening up. As I said, India is a beautiful country and has a lot of potential. Goa is a favourite destination followed by the South, of course.