The China Incentive Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM), organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), is to be postponed in 2008, but will take place again in 2009 at a new Beijing venue.

RTE has taken the step to avoid conflict with the Olympic Games on Beijing, which might disrupt CIBTM, the leading showcase for Chinese and international destinations, products and services, and the premier event in China for the meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition industries.

“While the world is focused on one of its greatest sporting events, we have decided it was best for exhibitors and visitors alike to focus on 2009 in order not to compromise CIBTM in any way,” said Paul Kennedy, group exhibition director. “RTE is strategically committed to China and the whole of Asia and sees Beijing as a growing hub for the meetings industry.”

CIBTM 2009 will take place from 8-10 September at Beijing’s new state-of-the-art China National Convention Centre (CNCC), which will serve as the main international media and broadcasting centre for the Olympic Games next summer. Located just 25 minutes from either the city centre or Beijing’s International Airport, the venue boasts China's biggest and newest world-class meeting and exhibition space, including a 6400m² Grand Convention Hall accommodating up to 6,000 delegates, a 24,000m² exhibition hall and another 3,500m² pax ballroom. The 4-star, 443-room China National Convention Centre Hotel, adjacent to the venue, has also been announced as an official partner hotel.

“CNCC is naturally delighted at the prospect of hosting the event,” said its chief executive Haiying Liu. “The event will provide us with the perfect platform from which to present the new facilities to the international meetings and exhibitions industry. The venue’s world class facilities, ideal location and superb support infrastructure will offer international meeting and event planners a new and exciting experience in the heart of Beijing.”

Commenting on the postponement of the show, CIBTM event director Graeme Barnett said: “While it is disappointing that CIBTM will not be held in 2008, we will continue to be involved in the education of the meeting professional in China during 2008. We will be working with all of our key partners in the region to develop a more dynamic event that meets the needs of our increasingly global customer base.”

CIBTM forms part of the expanding RTE portfolio of global meeting and incentive events along with EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), GIBTM (www.gibtm.travel), AIME (www.aime.com.au) and the ICCA Exhibition in association with the ICCA Congress (www.iccaworld.com).