One of the first projects I took on at Global Traveler was assisting in the creation of our 2012 MRI survey. This analysis helps GT in understanding our readers and maintaining our relevance in the luxury business and leisure travel market. This year a new question arose regarding our readers’ influence on meetings and events decisions within their companies. We were surprised to learn that nearly 60 percent of our readers are responsible for meetings and events decisions.

For this reason, today I pack up my car and head south to Baltimore for the second annual AIBTM show. Launched last year by Reed Travel Exhibitions, a leading provider of exhibitions within the travel and tourism industry, this event guarantees exhibitors the opportunity to meet with top-level decision makers in its meetings and events market. Exhibitors include top destinations and hotel groups looking to attract major events to their locations. Sixty-seven percent of the 2011 exhibitors return to the show this year. This year AIBTM will have a section solely devoted to business travel, which I look forward to exploring.

Along with our AIBTM show collaboration, within our June issue Jennifer H. McInerney explored the influence that mobile devices have on event planners and attendees in her article “M.I.C.E. Goes Mobile.”

I am looking forward to learning more about the meetings & incentives industry and what the AIBTM exhibitors are doing to set themselves apart.

— Danielle Hudena, director of sales and marketing