The new event, June 28-July 1, is designed to unite professionals from across the world for four days of one-to-one business meetings, networking sessions and a program of live and on-demand education sessions

New Online Business Meeting IBTM Wired to Launch This Summer

IBTM Events expanded its global portfolio on Monday, introducing a new online business meeting, IBTM Wired, that will take place this summer.

IBTM Wired will be a permanent addition to the lineup of events hosted by IBTM for the meeting, incentive, conference and event industries. The new event, June 28-July 1, is designed to unite professionals from across the world for four days of one-to-one business meetings, networking sessions and a program of live and on-demand education sessions curated by sector, skillset and geographic location.

“Over the past 12 months, our industry has undergone unprecedented upheaval and transition as restrictions meant that face-to-face events couldn’t take place, and very quickly, we had to pivot and transition to online events and new ways of working and doing business,” said Michael Jones, event manager. “Done well, online events can deliver genuine value for participates. We know there is huge demand for face-to-face events and we very much look forward to their return. It’s clear there is a long-term place for high-quality online meetings that allow for professionals from across the globe to connect more frequently.”

Behind a theme of “Engage, Educate, Evolve and Excite,” the program’s platform will be open 24 hours a day for the event’s duration.

One of the program’s unique features is a daily focus on a particular region to provide key insights, from industry outlook to expert opinions that will help industry professionals expand areas of focus and get the latest information on each region’s recovery.

The program will focus on Asia Pacific on June 28, working in partnership with SACEOS (Singapore Association for Convention & Exhibition Organizers & Suppliers), followed by North and South America on June 29, the Middle East and Africa on June 30 and Europe on July 1.

Aloysius Arlando, president of SACEOS, said IBTM Wired offers “new ways of community engagement, design thinking and innovative formats and processes.” He added it is important for the industry to “look at ways and means of how we can work together in this very difficult time of how we can revive business travel, business events and travel and tourism at large.”

Jones said IBTM World, which was digital in 2020, is scheduled for December in a hybrid format with plans for in-person attendance. IBTM Asia Pacific has been moved to 2022 and updates are coming on plans for IBTM Americas.