Thud, thud, thud. My heart beats profoundly as I stand in front of the Gran Via, Fira de Barcelona about to enter the luxurious building. A building that, unrecognizable from the outside, beholds a record-breaking number of exhibitors, countries of the world in it, at this very moment and 15,000+ attendees from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. I enter the building with a deep sense of pride, my eyes seem to be moving in slow motion and the smile on my face was of pure overwhelment: this is the first time I ever registered and attended to a travel industry Fair. To a global leading event for event professionals.
Yes, that was me on the 28 of November 2023. I had no idea what was going to await me nor what meaning it had to attend such an event. I tamed my free soul for a few minutes through registration, received an email that granted me access into the IBTM World, found myself standing at the entrance of the Fira de Barcelona a few days later and walked in with my purpose inhabitant heart and the wealth I carried within me from the 51 countries I have travelled.
I walked through the long corridor with entrancing, pioneer music playing embodying an environment of profession and success. To my left and right I looked down onto 2,250 exhibitors from over 150 countries. A gateway to the world.
Proudly I held my printed-out entrance pass. With grace I placed it in the recycled paper badge and hung it around my neck. What exactly did I access through this badge and registration as a visitor?
For three days I stepped foot onto red carpets, stands epitomizing the wonders and values of their country through human interaction, traditional crafts and immersive content displayed on big screens. Each and every stand characterized the spirit of the country they presented, the culture and if present the religion they live by.
I found IBTM to not just be a gateway to the world but a hub for new, potential knowledge. Two stages and one workshop led way to innovate, informative and enriching lesson delivered by ambitious speakers, impacting today for greater more unified and successful tomorrow. Hours I have spent in these three places feeding my mind restlessly with all the information I could to implement in my future.
My travelers heart got introduced to my next travel destinations out of allure, such as: Colombia, Uganda and Rwanda. Countries I hadn’t considered before.
Travel ideas and concepts flourished in my mind.
I met people on the same length with whom I exchanged my deep passion, goals and aspirations I have for the world of travel.
Daily, I went to Colombia to savor the countries coffee culture and learn about its gems.
In Morocco I sat down for half an hour to enjoy a quiet moment and exchange thoughts dreams and cultures with a young Moroccan man, over an authentic Moroccon green tea with strong mint.
The glee of every IBTM participant thrived as we all celebrated our success at the welcome party in. the first IBTM World night. Neon blue lights filled the loud hall, the musicians sung their soul out, while I fully embodied the melody as the music tamed the beat of my heart. Drinks and food where savored and interaction took place as I talked with a speaker that had gifted me his knowledge in the afternoon about the future of the progressively potential Chinese travel industry and what we can do to be a part of it.
On the last day I found my perfect match, a DMC that absolutely resonates with me, as I find out that: we see the same profounder meaning in travelling and what travelling should be in terms of the experience. A conversation between like-minded people striving to achieve the same goal. With SITE – Society for Incentive Travel Exellence, I sat in a group of aspiring incentive professionals together with Pádraic Gilligan, the past president 2008; Chief Marketing Officer of SITE, to brainstorm about how incentives can create a profounder experience for its clients through immersive yet high standard, safe and environmentally friendly travels.
Opening the doors to the world and to people.
Human Interaction is everything. Together we empower one another, inspire, aspire and learn leading to a greater unity amongst the nearly 8 billion people of us based on understanding rather than judging and comparing. Whether traveling or at events such as IBTM World.
I guess what I am trying to say is that:
My experience at IBTM has been indescribable. It has opened so many doors for me, given me valuable insights and confidence in what I do through the interaction with people and their worshiped feedback. Above all, it gave me a first delicious taste of what it means to be surrounded by my future and by a whole environment of like-minded people. Priceless.
For all who strive in world of travel I say you make the decision and take every opportunity, every insight, every interaction as a pushing force for your greatest craft. Sculpting the way we experience our earth. As I said before, opening the doors to the world and to people.
