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EIBTM Welcome Reception

The official “kick-off” party for EIBTM was held in the same location of the show at the Fira Barcelona on the first evening. Hosted by Barcelona Convention Bureau and organised by Apple Tree Communications, the party was dedicated to “The Changing Face of Barcelona” with images of the city projected on the walls.

Two white back-lit bars set the centre stage of the event, transforming the reception in a club when Barcelona´s female DJ Monica Mira started spinning the music live.

EIBTM Forum Welcome Reception

All meeting professionals to EIBTM already broke the ice the night before the show officially started at the EIBTM Forum. Its Welcome Reception was held in the Juan Carlos I Hotel where guests were greeted with human statues, a popular scene in the famous La Rambla street in Barcelona. Food was served as if you were in a traditional fresh market with stalls of fish, meats, eggs, vegetables and sweets. It was simply fresh and delicious!

Soft lighting created a relaxed atmosphere in the open space with no chairs to encourage guests to mingle around. The finishing touch of the event was the live band performance that got us all tapping our feet to the rhythm of Catalan rumba. Guests bidded farewell with muscatel served in a drinking spout (a challenge for foreign attendees) and bags of roasted chestnuts to face the heavy downpour outside.

IBTA Cocktail

Travel Management managers who were invited to the IBTA cocktail gathered at the lobby of Ayre Barcelona Hotel. Singapore was the guest star of the event and showed all its glamour and potential as a meeting destination: not only with the audiovisual presentation but also the friendliness of the representatives present.

The Market

Meliá Hotels International brought together 300 Hosted Buyers at the Meliá Barcelona Sky Hotel, which was transformed into a traditional market in Barcelona: typical food stalls serving original cuisines from the hotel while waiters acted as shopkeepers; a vermouth bar and a sensory atmosphere led guests to a real market with sight, sound and smell recreations.

The party was enlivened by Barcelona´s human tower – Castellars and a Jazz&Soul Quintet. It was not just passive play. Guests were given bangles and fluorescent pink sunglasses to add to the “pink party” setting of the event.

“Be Water” by Expo Hotels&Resorts

Water was the main focus of the event organised by the chain Expo Hotels & Resorts. At the Princesa Sofia Gran Hotel, guests gathered under the “Be Water” theme, referring to the philosophy of Bruce Lee of being adaptable and flexible. In this case, it was focused on the needs of each event.

Instead of being quiet like water, guests were treated to a spectacular synchronized swimming show at Aqua Diagonal by Spain´s national team and directed by Anna Tarrés. This was followed by a soap bubbles show that left the guests impressed by some of the “water” surprises of the night.

Food and decoration was aligned also to the theme such as a seaweed salad or a “water” station where guests can get both water and wine to quench their thirst. A “floating” umbrella roof and yellow ducklings in the small pools add to the ambience.

The Dry Law arrived to Accor

The French hotel chain got their Hosted Buyers to party set in the aesthetics of the 30s where the mafia ruled. Male guests became mafia bosses donning Al Capone hats which were given out upon arrival while the ladies glittered with cabaret stoles.

At the entrance of the hall nothing indicated that a party was about to begin. It was a clandestine meeting where drinks were banned. However, things took a turn when the guests went behind the curtain. Catering corners and drinks bars were discovered, live music from the 30s and silver balloons set the evening. The party was intended to promote the loyalty program of the hotel chain. The idea was to communicate the exclusiveness of its club to the guests.

French touch in Tàpies Foundation

Atout France with the French Ambassador to Spain hosted a cocktail at Tàpies Foundation. An elegant event which was attended by various members of parliaments who mingled with the guests present. Guests were treated to an impeccable dinner, and our favourite, macarons for dessert!

Meet me upon the stars

With this suggestive invitation, guests were greeted at this intergalactic party held at the Barceló Sants Hotel by Darth Vader and Princess Leia. The stellar setting was applied even to the waiters´ costumes who were dressed in cosmonauts uniforms. The spatial experience continued with guided tours through the universe of the meeting rooms of the hotel and ended with a live video DJ session.

Hollywood Glam Night

Marriott International offered a night of Hollywood glamour with star impersonators of Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp welcoming the nearly 400 guests who were present at the Renaissance Barcelona. Guests were also able to pose for photos with them and show their most stunning and glamorous side.

Nothing is more American than hotdog carts, popcorn stands and buffet corners serving mini burgers and sandwiches – a catering Made in USA! The highlight of the night was singer Rebeka Brown, who along with DJ Matt King, got everyone dancing the night away while DJ Wooky spun the soundtracks of the most iconic films in cinema history.

The event was integrated into the RLife Live programme of the Renaissance brand to raise awareness among the guests of the music and live entertainment options that are regularly offered to guests in the Renaissance hotels.

Catalan rumba in Palau Requesens

The DMC Wedgwood group dazzled its 120 Hosted Buyers in a special venue that can be found in our country: Palau Requesens. This original 12th century venue was built on one of the towers of the Roman city wall, and has recently opened for events.

In this medieval space, guests enjoyed a cocktail dinner amidst folklore music and performance by a Catalan rumba quartet. The event also served to thank and reward customers of the various Wedgewood offices and to present Spain as a meeting destination. A great event to present the potential of our country to a very interested audience and in a very original venue.

MPI and ICCA held a cocktail together

One of the star events on Wednesday, November 20th was definitely the cocktail organized jointly by MPI and ICCA. Aribau Suites set the scene of an informal and highly relational cocktail between these two associations. Shuaibi Ramzi of Leading Sense performed with his band and an hour and a half of varied pop and dance music.