Networking is a vital part success in any business, but nowhere is that more relevant than in the tourism industry in complex markets like Russia. After all, how can a tour operator offer a variety of options for inquisitive travelers without having reliable business contacts in the chosen destination? How can travel agents capture the full potential of a destination without getting first-hand information about changing consumer demands?

Offering a one-stop comprehensive platform for communication, MIBEXPO Russia assembles leading players of the tourism industry under one roof for three days of networking and education.

Since its inception in 2005, MIBEXPO Russia has focused on creating a professional buyer-seller exchange gateway between international and Russian professionals, prominent agencies and corporate buyers from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as key players of the travel industry. This market has gone on to establish itself as the finest and biggest industry event in the region featuring new business opportunities, know-how exchange and professional education.

Last year's event registered over 160 exhibitors from 21 countries, including 81 companies from far-off countries such as Singapore, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, China and Israel. Overall around 8,000 targeted visitors thronged the halls of the 2,500 square meter IEC Crocus Expo grounds, meeting face-to-face with medley of representatives of travel operators, business travel companies, national and regional tourist offices, airlines and business aviation companies and hotel chains.

MIBEXPO, along with the accompanying LUXURY Leisure and Otdykh-Leisure trade fairs are capitalizing on the continuing market growth of Russia and the diversifying demands of wealthy local travelers. Russia's important FDI inflows and increasing gas and oil exports have spurred a significant rise in real incomes and living standards, consequently powering a multi-year consumer spending boom. According to the 2007 Euromonitor International report, the purchasing power of a middle-class Russian household has increased a whopping 20 percent between 2000 and 2006.

During the same period, the new report shows that outgoing tourist expenditure saw a brisk 64 percent growth rate, totaling over 17 billion USD. These fast-growing economic conditions drive the surge in business travel and summer holiday trips by a progressively more young demographic.

Demonstrating a continuing commitment to establishing fruitful and long-term relationships in the travel sector, the fourth edition of MIBEXPO Russia this year is set for a result-oriented development. Just like last year, the event will work on a pre-arranged appointment system, where all meetings between participants are organized before the launch of the show, as well as providing an easy-to-maneuver exposition structure that divides international and Russian exhibitors into separate sections. Organizers expect an expanding line-up of debuting exhibitors and a sizeable increase in visitors.

The coming show will also play host to the 4th International Conference on meetings, incentives and business travel on September 24 and 25. This two-day meeting, co-organized by RBTA Russian Business Travel Association, features a variety of seminars, master classes and round table discussion with Russian and international experts.

MIBEXPO Russia 2008
Dates: September 23-25, 2008
Venue: IEC Crocus Expo
Address: Moscow Ring Road 65-66
City, Country: Moscow, Russia
Contact: Ms. Ekaterina Kohlhauser
Email: mibexpo@euroexpo-vienna.com
Telephone: [43] 1 230 8535
Website