Convention Bureau Italia presented its new initiatives for 2018 The CBItalia's main new promo-commercial activities for 2018 were presented in Rome. The event, reserved for the network members and the whole of the national meeting industry, hosted a contribution from the national Tourist Board – ENIT.
14th May 2018, Florence – At the Rome Chamber of Commerce in the Sala del Tempio di Adriano the Convention Bureau Italia presented its new initiatives for 2018. The morning was reserved for the Members' Assembly for the approval of the 2017 Accounts and the 2018 budget and to present the new services dedicated to the members. In the afternoon the operators of the meeting industry were welcomed for the Special Event. Over 100 participants were present at the day's proceedings. CBItalia has presented the main new initiatives for the national conference and events industry and for the network's members. First of all, with regard to sponsorship, the agreement with Alitalia has been completed and the co-operation with the National Tourist Board, ENIT has been strengthened. During the Special Event the Executive Director Gianni Bastianelli made a speech in which he stressed the strategic importance of dialogue and synergy with CBItalia, starting with the major international fairs. For the forthcoming Imex in Frankfurt, there is full agreement on the necessity to review the criteria for inclusion on the Italia stand, with the aim of making it more representative. The collaboration will be even closer for IBTM World in Barcelona where the organisation for the fair will be shared between ENIT and CBItalia. Continuing the theme of benefit for the national industry CBItalia has announced the expansion of the communication project Italy at Hand, and has decided to invest in digital communication to allow their members to optimise their national and international visibility and thus strengthen the network's value. The first project to be realised is Italy at Hand, The Film, the first ever example of video coordinated communication at national level anywhere in the world, which was premiered in the afternoon and was warmly applauded by the public. The other important development of Italy at Hand is The Event, the first innovative format designed by Convention Bureau Italia to be launched from 1st to 3rd November in Bologna. The event is the achievement of another of the organisation's important objectives as it at last provides the opportunity to welcome buyers bringing them directly to our Italy, and thus allows the country to make all its beauty and tradition come alive. Lastly, CBItalia has introduced the Lead Generation Service for all its members with the aim of helping and supporting the Destinations and Congress Centres to develop a candidacy for an