IBTM World 2025 Set to Inspire with New Features and Free Registration for a Limited Time

The international business events industry is gearing up for the highly anticipated return of IBTM World 2025 in Barcelona, with just five weeks to go until the industry’s leading minds, innovators, and suppliers converge at the acclaimed Fira de Barcelona from November 18 to 20. For trade professionals in sub-Saharan Africa, this marks a prime opportunity to access global knowledge, connections, and inspiration—particularly as complimentary registration for trade visitors is available until October 20, opening the door to unrivalled learning and networking at no cost.

IBTM World 2025, organised by RX, promises three dynamic days of discovery, built around the energising theme of People. Power. Potential. Trade attendees will enjoy full access to more than 2,350 exhibitors representing the latest in meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) from every continent, as well as a robust conference programme featuring pioneering speakers. Notable sessions will include insights from polymath Nathalie Nahai and six-time TEDx speaker Natalia Talkowska, while a suite of vibrant networking opportunities—from the famous Welcome Party to the ever-popular Club Night—will connect professionals across borders and disciplines.

Among the event’s headline features is the return of the Exceptional Experiences programme, a showcase of revolutionary solutions for in-house event professionals and marketers. The 2025 edition launches with a keynote by business author B. Joseph Pine II and participation from industry giants such as WeTransfer, Canva, Shutterstock, Amazon, and UTA. This initiative is designed to help attendees craft event experiences that drive business growth—an especially relevant focus as African destinations and suppliers seek to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Innovation will be centre stage at The Future Stage, where transformative technologies and the evolving role of AI in events take the spotlight. A standout session will see Julius Solaris, founder of Boldpush, engage in a live interview with Ameca, a humanoid robot, on the future of human-AI interaction in the events industry—a topic of growing importance for African organisers looking to future-proof their operations and enhance their value proposition.

IBTM World 2025 also introduces IBTM Ignite, a brand-new platform for over one hundred start-ups to present their ideas to a panel of experienced advisors and motivated investors. With participating start-ups spanning event technology, sustainability, and inclusive talent solutions, this initiative provides a timely showcase for African innovators seeking access to international investment, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.

Returning for a second year, the Hotel Pavilion offers a dedicated space for independent and boutique hotel brands—including Obvio Hotels, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, and The Palm Experience Hotels—to display their offerings in an immersive environment that exudes luxury and hospitality. For African hoteliers and hospitality professionals, this is an invaluable arena for building relationships with potential buyers and learning from global peers.

Recognising the diverse ways delegates consume information, the Workplace Revolution area invites attendees to join campfire-style conversations with industry thought leaders. This year’s lineup includes multi-award-winning behavioural scientist Lea Karam, sustainability strategist Dana Moore, and Dr. Ferron Gray, President of the Grae Matta Foundation. These sessions are designed to foster candid dialogue on workplace innovation, leadership, and sustainability—issues increasingly central to Africa’s evolving events and hospitality sectors.

Another new highlight is the Event Tech & Services area, featuring nearly 50 organisations including leading names such as Cvent, Swoogo, and vFairs, alongside new entrants like MIRAI, Gther, and Newhotel Software. For African event planners and service providers, this hub offers direct exposure to the latest solutions, platforms, and best practices that can be integrated into their own offerings.

Attendees can also expect a wide array of interactive activations throughout the show floor and at the lively Social Spot. Creative painting sessions, virtual reality zones showcasing global destinations, and other hands-on experiences will encourage visitors to engage, learn, and discover new ways to enhance their own events back home.

Claudia Hall, Exhibition Director for IBTM World, summed up the event’s ethos: “We have so much to offer event professionals joining us at IBTM World this year. Whether it’s trailblazing insights, tangible solutions, dedicated support, unmatched connection opportunities or access to some of the greatest minds in our industry and beyond, our show is a melting pot of innovation, ideas and inspiration. Every element of the show has been designed to empower our community—putting event professionals at the heart of change and equipping them with the tools to lead our industry into a thriving future.”

For African business events professionals, venues, DMCs, and hospitality suppliers, IBTM World 2025 is an unmissable chance to build global partnerships, benchmark against the world’s best, and bring home actionable strategies that will power the next phase of growth in the continent’s flourishing MICE sector. The countdown is on—and with free registration still available for a short time, now is the ideal moment to secure a place at one of the industry’s most influential gatherings.