Q & A with Jaime de LeonDirector General of Events for TUI Spain

by Jose Carlos de Santiago

EIBTM has turned out to be a major business plaza for the MICE market, at least within Europe. That assertion is shared by Jaime de Leon in an exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital.

Q.- How did the Spanish market react to the EIBTM fair?

A.- Well, this is the second edition in Barcelona and this year´s edition has had a 15 percent increase compared to last year´s fair, especially in the number of stands and visitors. There´s great enthusiasm in such sectors as transportation, lodging and some very specific services. This fair is increasingly becoming a major business plaza for MICE operations, at least in Europe. There´s no clear-cut competitor right now.

Q.- What major differences do you make out between this fair and, say, Frankfurt´s IMEX?

A.- IMEX is just about to enter into its second or third edition. I know IMEX is elbowing its way through to try to snare certain countries and have that group of nations showcase their offers there. However, EIBTM is not bound to prove anything anymore. It´s an established fair that gathers exhibitors and buyers from around the world. When stacked up against each other, I believe EIBTM is much bigger than IMEX. We need to bear in mind that EIBTM has adapted itself to the Spanish market and has ceased to be an English-speaking fair, as it did happen during its first edition.

We must praise the Barcelona City Hall and the local Tourism Bureau and Convention Bureau for the tremendous job they´ve done this time around. Improvements in transportation are visible everywhere you go, and authorities have been able to meet visitors´ and exhibitors´ demands in this sense.

Q.- What has your company done and will continue to do for upcoming events like this?

A.- Well, our division opened in 1979, so we´ve been around in the business for quite some time now. Our company is specialized in the planning of both small-format and large-scale events. We count on a magnificent team of approximately 80 individuals that´s working round the clock to make things happen for the whole group.

I always say that when you do business you always flub on at least one or two things in terms of preparations. But the moment you´ve put over a thousand or a thousand and a half events under your belt, there are fewer things and details you may skip in the planning process.