Guatemala Brings Third Annual LAMITE to a New Level with Immersive Culture, Networking, and Native Charm

The unique event, which took place June 19-23 at the Pensativo House Hotel in La Antigua Guatemala, paired Latin America based MICE buyers with global travel suppliers for nearly 1,300 private, 15 minute one-to-one appointments. In addition, attendees were treated to lavish receptions, exquisite meals, and exciting cultural activities, all designed to offer networking opportunities at every turn. 

Buyers were welcomed Monday evening with a networking reception and dinner hosted by the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel. Then on Tuesday they were treated to a Guatemalan heritage tour outside La Antigua including native markets, crafts and art, ending for lunch at the La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences at the base of a volcano for stunning views while dining. 

The evening was capped off with the official welcome reception for all attendees including suppliers at the San Jose El Viejo Ruins which included authentic Guatemalan cuisine, dancing and music and hosted by INGUAT-the Guatemala Tourism Board.

Wednesday morning was kicked off with an educational session “Economic and Social Relevance of the Meetings Industry: Case – Guatemala,” presented by MICE industry veteran Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM, CASE, from Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists. It was followed by a day of pre-scheduled, private one-to-one appointments between buyers and suppliers, and inclusive of a product presentation sponsored by Meet Puerto Rico.

Guests were then treated to what would have been a fabulous view of a volcano on a clear evening at a lovely reception at Santo Domingo del Cerro. However, even though the weather did not cooperate, eliminating the view with fog, it did not put a damper on the evening, with sumptuous cuisine, live music and exceptional networking. 

Thursday offered additional education including “God’s Encouragement Helps: Motivational Events in the 21st Century” presented by Alejandro Verzoub, president AV - Business & Communications; president of SITE Global, 2012, as well as presentations from both SITE Global and the Dominican Republic Tourism Board, future host of LAMITE 2018. 

Both buyers and suppliers alike were overwhelmed by the total value LAMITE provided them via the combination of education, activities, and one-to-one meetings. 

LAMITE is an offshoot of Incentive Travel Exchange, the flagship event in the Questex Travel Group’s MICE portfolio of events and media, and is the only event in the industry that brings global suppliers to meet with Latin American buyers in Latin America. Suppliers at the event represent cruise lines, tour operators, destination management companies and sought-after incentive destinations, hotels, resorts and spas across the globe. 

Sponsors include INGUAT-the Guatemala Tourism Board, Guatemala Conventions Bureau, Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc., Copa Airlines, Corporacion Camino Real, Dominican Republic Tourism Board, El Convento Boutique Hotel, Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences, MASCO, Maya Sky Incentives DMC, Meet Puerto Rico, Real Intercontinental Guatemala, Pensativo House Hotel, Porta Hotels, Transportes Litegua, Transter Tours, TAG Airlines, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, and VisitScotland. 

Questex’s Global Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchanges (GMITE) events have proven to be successful by offering one-to-one meetings and top-of-the-line training and networking opportunities for meeting and event-planning professionals, as well as incentive buyers.

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