Last year I had to take a break from two conferences for which I’d gained a certain amount of momentum over the years, all because a little one emerged into this world in mid May.\u00a0 SGMP, which I’d attended every year since 2003, I missed in 2013 – and AIBTM, which I’d attended in consecutive years in Baltimore, I skipped last year in Chicago.<\/p>\n
This year, thanks to my friends at Wyndham Hotels, I was afforded an opportunity to return to AIBTM in Orlando.\u00a0 I remember the first year I attended thinking it was the biggest show I’d ever seen, with enormous booths the likes of which I’d never stepped foot in.\u00a0 That was true – until four months later when I first set my eyes on IMEX.\u00a0 But this blog is not about IMEX – well I guess it is to some degree.\u00a0 It’s hard to have a conversation about one without the other.<\/p>\n
The shows are similar.\u00a0 AIBTM is getting a reputation for being IMEX Jr.\u00a0 And there’s truth to that.\u00a0 There’s a lot of the same suppliers but the booths are a bit smaller, a bit less grand, there’s fewer destinations, particularly internationally, and overall there’s a bit less frenzy.\u00a0 Pace is a bit more relaxed.\u00a0 There’s less education, but by no means lesser education and there’s less networking events.\u00a0 But let’s face it – just how many networking events can I be at at one time?<\/p>\n
In truth, if I had to pick just one, I’d pick IMEX. \u00a0And not just because it’s in Las Vegas each year.\u00a0 But just because AIBTM still feels like a subset of IMEX.\u00a0 That I could get everything I needed in one place and then some at IMEX.\u00a0 But I love the fact that I can attend both thanks to my suppliers.\u00a0 This way it’s like doubling up my appointments.\u00a0 And the more exposure the better.\u00a0 I hope I get the opportunity to do both for years to come!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last year I had to take a break from two conferences for which I’d gained a certain amount of momentum over the years, all because a little one emerged into this world in mid May.\u00a0 SGMP, which I’d attended every year since 2003, I missed in 2013 – and AIBTM, which I’d attended in consecutive […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2,1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n