Barcelona will be a magnet for business, education and networking this week with EIBTM ready to deliver an unprecedented number of business meetings with hosted buyers and trade visitors registered from every corner of the world.

All early indications are positive with over 10,000 visitor pre-registrations to date, more than 40,000 appointments already pre-scheduled and a full hosted buyer Programme.

Inspired by many new features, a record number of exhibitors, a focused education programme and a host of lively networking functions, EIBTM 2007 is set to perform once again as a leading forum for the industry.

Mandy Torrens, exhibition director for EIBTM, commented: “We are witnessing unprecedented interest on all fronts for this year’s event and the exhibitor list is a testament to the growing number of unique and unusual venues, destinations, suppliers and technology advances. EIBTM will really provide something for everyone this year. As organisers, our responsibility to the industry is to not only ensure that we continue to deliver, but to challenge everyone’s expectations – all the signs show that 2007 should meet these objectives”.

Featuring again in 2007 is the Ask the Experts Centre, an informal drop-in zone for visitors to meet up with a team of influential figures in the meetings industry who have a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of meetings, conferences and live events.

The team comprises of: Mike Lyon - consultant specialising in venue finding and Destination Research; Rohit Talwar - UK-based global futurist, strategist, innovator and change agent; Rob Davidson – senior lecturer in business travel and tourism, University of Westminster and writer of the EIBTM Industry Trends & Market Share Report; Corbin Ball - international speaker, consultant and writer in meetings technology; Kevin Cottam – inspirational coach and trainer; Elling Hamso - managing partner of the European Event ROI Institute; Bernhard Aggeler - managing partner of the European Event ROI Institute; Fiona Pelham – director, Organise This – creative meetings & sustainable event management; Paul Bridle – leadership methodologist, professional speaker; and Mike Southon – author, entrepreneur and inspirational speaker, co-founder of Beermat.biz.

Along with the Agency, Corporate and Association education for Hosted Buyers, this year's seminar programme features over 20 sessions including 7 conducted in Spanish plus the new daily technology hour and CSR Symposium held on Wednesday afternoon. Seminars are open to everyone and places do not need to be booked in advance.