IBTM World 2018 will welcome around 3,000 exhibiting companies from over 150 countries, over 3,500 buyers and thousands of visitors for a packed schedule of meetings, networking and educational sessions.

The Exploratory Zone will be located at the heart of the event and will give delegates the opportunity to engage and interact with the latest technologies and event solutions set to make a major impact on the events industry.

Technology on offer includes virtual reality, artificial intelligence, facial recognition and 3D printing. Exhibiting companies include food printing company 3DFoodlab; projection mapping wizards Skullmapping; experience platform Amondo; flight simulators from Mach 3 Management; robot experts Robots of London; on-site event tech company Fielddrive; and pioneering 360 / VR company Surround Vision.

From a 3D chocolate model of the IBTM World logo, a synchronised robot dance routine and an immersive culinary experience to a demonstration of combat and virtual reality in team building, the Exploratory Zone will offer new ideas for enhancing customer experience.

Pierre-Henri Chuet, Founder of Mach 3 Management, said: “Three virtual reality flight simulators will be showcased at IBTM World this year. The activity supports teambuilding, stress and workload management and decision making, plus it’s a great experience flying a jet at supersonic speed in formation with your team.”

IBTM has also introduced Tech Bar, run by Dahlia+ Agency, as part of the new zone. Tech Bar is a genius-bar style question and answer area staffed by technology experts who will run tech-focused and expert-led sessions to enhance technology skills.