IBTM World Trends Report 2024 Launches ‘Addressing the Biggest Problems of Our Time’

Leading global trade show, IBTM World, has opened its 2023 edition with the launch of its World Trends Report 2024. The annual report addresses some of the biggest macro-economic, political, ecological, and next-generation technological issues affecting the meetings and events industry in 2024.

Authored and presented by Alistair Turner, Managing Director of Eight PR & Marketing, on the IBTM Main Stage on days one and three of the show, the insightful sessions will look at different aspects of the far-reaching report. Central subjects include the influence of AI on the meetings and events industry, the growing importance of accessibility, from physical, to sensory and intellectual, and the economic outlook for businesses working in meetings and events.

The report also covers the global outlook from a geological position, investigating the move from an Atlantic to a Pacific economy, the complexities of the Middle East and Africa, and the powerhouse of the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, the report looks at the fortunes of vertical industries, from Esports to Pharmaceuticals, and how the dynamics of these industries are impacting their meetings and events spend.

It is no understatement to say that 2024 will be one of the most important years of the 21st century. The economic, political, and ecological outlook of our planet is on a knife edge and the advent of AI can swing it in a number of ways. Our industry has a crucial say in these outcomes and this year’s report looks to understand what this role should be, and how we can act to create positive environments around the biggest conversations of our time.

This report is at the same time scary, optimistic, insightful, and in-depth. We’ve once again benefited from over 60 sources and some of the great thinkers, both within and outside of our industry. The results are fascinating and I’m looking forward to trying to bring them to life at IBTM World 2023. Alistair Turner, author of the report

Outside of the many themes addressed in the report this year, one of the main insights will be the new ‘Generation Me’. Here the report looks at hyper-personalisation, the role of accessibility, and issues around individual security, data, and agency in the creation of experiences, events and meetings.

To read the report in full, please visit: https://www.ibtmworld.com/en-gb/about/industry-trends.html.

About IBTM

IBTM is a world-leading showcase for the meetings and events industry with a portfolio of events and products offering business solutions across four continents. The portfolio includes IBTM World, IBTM Americas, IBTM Asia Pacific and IBTM Africa.

IBTM World, the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, is the must-attend three-day event for the worldwide meeting, incentives, conference and events industry. Thousands of meetings and events buyers, suppliers and international trade media visit Fira Barcelona every November for IBTM’s flagship show.

Next event: Tuesday 19 November to Thursday 21 November 2024 at Fira Barcelona

IBTM Americas, the leading event for the meetings and events industry in North America, Latin America, Europe and beyond, is the must-attend two-day event for the region’s meeting, incentives, conference and events industry.

Next event: Wednesday 21 to Thursday 22 August 2024 at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City.

IBTM Asia Pacific, the must-attend two-day event for the Asia Pacific region’s meeting, incentives, conference and events industry.

IBTM Africa, a leading conference for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry, takes place annually at WTM Africa, part of Africa Travel Week.

Next event: Wednesday 10 April to Friday 12 April 2024 at CTICC in Cape Town.

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 35,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors

About RX (Reed Exhibitions)

RX is in the business of building businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. We elevate the power of face to face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at approximately 400 events in 22 countries across 42 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. www.rxglobal.com