Bett, the worldÂ's leading event for education technology, delivers its most successful edition to date
- Visitor numbers increase to some 36,000 with 9% increase in international visitors
- UKTI and i2i partnership host 75 international buyers and facilitate over 2,000 meetings for exhibitors
- 400 speakers including opening address by Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove
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Bett, part of i2i Events Group, celebrated its 30th year at the forefront of the education sector from 22 – 25 January at ExCel London and has announced its most successful edition to date.
Key exhibitors and an increase in visitor numbers confirm Bett's position as the premier event for learning technology
Bett 2014 welcomed some 700 exhibitors, amongst them some of the world's leading organisations including Dell, Google UK, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Samsung and Virgin Business Media as well as education specialists including BBC Worldwide Learning, Cambridge University Press and The Open University.  Some 36,000 visitors attended the event with a 6% increase year on year in overall footfall to over 46,000 visits and a 9% increase in international visitors, representing 116 countries. Of particular significance in 2014 was the partnership between i2i and UK Trade & Investment (i2i's International Business Partner) which enabled Bett to host 75 international buyers and facilitate over 2,000 meetings during the event.Â
More content than ever before with 400 speakers
With a jam-packed Arena programme, 3 bespoke CPD accredited Summits, 6 Learn Live theatres and a whole host of networking and fringe activity, Bett 2014 delivered more content than ever before. Some 400 industry experts provided inspiration on the latest e-learning and teaching strategies and best practice for schools, universities and businesses. Key speakers included Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove; Education Minister Elizabeth Truss MP; Tony Little, Headmaster at Eton; Rt Hon Lord David Puttnam, British Film Producer and Educator; the world's greatest living explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Toby Young, Journalist, Author and Co-Founder of the West London Free School. Â
Debbie French, Education Portfolio Director at i2i Events Group says, “We are delighted with the results of the 30th edition of Bett and with the positive response from our exhibitors and visitors. This was our second year at ExCel and we worked very hard to deliver excellent onsite services to our clients and new initiatives such as the hosted buyer programme and a ‘get to know' evening for more than 50 new companies. Very strong re-bookings for next year will ensure that Bett goes from strength to strength, as we develop the brand further both in the UK and overseas.â€'
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
Bett has evolved into the world's leading event for learning technology, with a broader remit than ever before. Covering the breadth of lifelong learning, the event brings together industry leaders, practitioners, professionals and inspirational figures to share ideas on how to support learning together through technology. Bett is organised in association with BESA (British Education Supplies Industry). Bett, ExCel London, 21 – 24 January 2015
Bett has now launched in the growing Latin American market with The Bett Leadership Summit, launched on the back of i2i's acquisition of Educar (Latin America's leading education exhibition and conference) in May 2013 and a full exhibition and conference Bett Brasil which will be held alongside Educar in May 2014. Â The event has also announced plans to launch the Bett Southeast Asia Leadership Summit in December 2014.
Bett Brasil, Sao Paulo Brazil, 21 – 24 May 2014
Bett Leadership Summit, Sao Paulo Brazil, November 2014
Bett Southeast Asia Leadership Summit, Singapore, December 2014
