IMEX 2008: Bigger, attractive, different, the same as ever.

IMEX 2008 will be the largest to date following a year of outstanding demand for space from both existing and new exhibitors. Morgans Hotel Group, Kuoni and Steigenberger Hotels have all more than doubled their stand sizes as a result of positive feedback and strong business leads generated at last year’s show; whilst Argentina, Australia, the Canaries, the Czech Republic, Malta, Singapore and Spain, are amongst those destinations making sizeable increases.

Make a difference at IMEX
A special opportunity awaits at the 2008 Corporate Responsibility Centre. IMEX participants will have a chance to “make a difference” right on the IMEX show floor by entering the draw in the Centre to win a US$500 donation to their favourite charitable cause. The prize is being offered by Louise Hall Reider Company as part of their long-term partnership with IMEX to campaign for social responsibility within meetings and incentive programmes. The winner will be announced on the final day of the show.

Meetings architecture
The Meeting Support Institute will be introducing some brand new companies to the IMEX Tech Tap this year who offer some truly new and innovative products for learning, networking and the motivation of participants. The concept of ‘meetings architecture’ will also be demonstrated – showing how this will influence the industry in the
years to come – by focusing on the importance of meetings content as opposed to simply meetings logistics. The Tech Tap is designed to showcase the most innovative technology solutions for the meetings industry including both creative and practical solutions for planning and promoting meetings, presenting, educating and
networking.

Steer yourself to success
Future Leaders Network online A busy schedule of seminars is already confirmed for the Professional Development Pavilion at IMEX. Soul at Work will offer valuable stress management advice in an interactive session titled ‘Steer yourself and your team from stress to success’. Award-winning journalist and speaker Tony Carey’s session ‘I’ll never forget
whatshisname’ is all about how to stand out in the crowd by creating your own personal brand. Ann Holmes, author of the Rainbow-Plus Personality Type Assessment System, will help participants identify their own personality type – and understand the implications this has for effective business relationships. The issue of managing meeting content
versus managing meeting logistics will be discussed by Maarten Vanneste, CEO, Abbit. Sundial will share the top tips from their Meeting Planner Learning Programme and SHINE will be offering a unique speed mentoring service.
A workshop run by Richard John will look at the importance of making all face to face events ‘experiential’ – and will show you how to do it.
Professional Development Pavilion sponsors, CIC (Convention Industry Council) will offer an inside look at their Certified Meeting oProfessionals programme followed by a drinks reception.
Finally global futurist Rohit Talwar will share his latest research on meetings industry trends and developments – and will offer a radically different perspective on the design,content and delivery of events in the future.

Meetings and incentives expansion for SACEOS
The Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) recently decided to publicise its expanded focus on the growing meetings and incentives sector by launching a new tagline. “Meetings. Incentives. Conventions. Exhibitions. Singapore”, together with an updated logo, is designed to demonstrate the association’s commitment to the broader industry.
“The Singapore meetings and incentives landscape has had some fresh injections of buzz, with two new integrated resorts, the Singapore Flyer and the Formula One in the pipeline,” said Jansen Tan, Executive Director of SACEOS.
“The association recognised the promise of this sector and is keen to ensure that this buzz continues for the next few years. It will work in tandem with the Singapore Tourism Board to promote this sector at events such as IMEX while continuing to actively support the conventions and exhibition sectors to ensure that Singapore maintains its pole position as an exhibitions and conventions destination.”

London and Frankfurt in one

With its newly designed curriculum, the European Meetings and Events Conference, cocreated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), is designed to offer something for everyone.
“a significant number of US buyers are expected” The European Meetings and Events Conference is the first international industry educational conference of its kind ever to be hosted in London, and the first to offer such a wealth of information to more than 600
attendees from around the globe. In designing the new cutting-edge curriculum, MPI has identified the most pertinent issues and topics facing the meetings and events industry today and developed a programme to appeal to a broad range of professionals at all stages of
career development.
This curriculum will also significantly elevate industry debate by featuring MBA-level presenters who will provide advanced business skills development.
Online registration for the European Meetings and Events Conference is now open at www.mpiweb.org. For the first time the Conference has been scheduled to take place the weekend before IMEX in Frankfurt. Both organisations have worked closely together to
encourage meeting planners to attend both events and to maximise the time and business networking opportunities that both provide. A significant number of US buyers are expected
to combine the two events.

Exhibitor numbers at record high

IMEX 2008 will be the largest to date following a year of outstanding demand for space from both existing and new exhibitors. Morgans Hotel Group, Kuoni and Steigenberger Hotels have all more than doubled their stand sizes as a result of positive feedback and strong business leads generated at last year’s show; whilst Argentina, Australia, the Canaries, the Czech Republic, Malta, Singapore and Spain, are amongst those destinations making sizeable increases.
“a new centralised US quarter will include the largest number of US exhibitors to date” First time exhibitors include Capella Hotels & Resorts; Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau; GHM Hotels; Indonesia; Prestige Hotels of the World and Protur Hotels; as well as Armenia
and Torun, Poland who will be represented for the first time to the meetings industry as a part of the IMEX Wild Card scheme.
Las Vegas, Texas Tourism and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau will all make welcome returns to IMEX in a new centralised US quarter which will include the largest number of US exhibitors represented at IMEX to date. IMEX’s growing links with US
associations, including DMAI (Destination Marketing Association International), PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) and ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) are now bringing the trade show to the attention of a wider US audience.
We will also be stepping up our commitment to the environment for IMEX 2008 and encourage all exhibitors to support these efforts by looking out for the environmentally friendly suppliers highlighted in the exhibitor manual; applying for the IMEX Green Exhibitor and Green Supplier awards; and making use of public transport and our new Frankfurt city walking map.

Political motivation
According to Olivier Lèpine,Chairman of the Convention Forum of European Cities Marketing (ECM),the local meetings industry offers politicians an excellent platform on which to promote their views on issues such as employment,economic development and local area publicity.
As a long-time contributor to the IMEX Politicians’ Forum, Olivier is keen to encourage more destinations to nominate their local politicians for an invitation to the Forum.
He says, “The meetings industry is a super media for motivated politicians as, besides the economic impact made behind the scenes, the public can actually see the results on the street. Locals can hardly miss noticing the name tags as they go from shops to bars to taxi ranks to restaurants. In this way, the meetings industry is uniquely visible within the local community.”
The Politicians’ Forum is organised by IMEX and ECM, under the auspices of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, and a number of other leading industry associations.
The event provides politicians with an informative round-table discussion and seminar, a guided visit to the IMEX exhibition, and a networking dinner with industry leaders and other political guests.