Highlights of IMEX '11
New and Expanded Exhibitors, New Hosted Buyer Groups, Also New for Hosted Buyers, New Attractions (New Vision), New Education, New Green/Environmental, New Technology and Apps
Every year we put on an exhibition of the depth and quality that all have come to expect from year to year – and then we like to improve it. For 2011, our 9th show, we kept up the innovation, additions and improvements in the following different ways. New and Expanded Exhibitors
From across the world and representing all sectors of the industry, we had a host of new exhibitors and welcomed returning exhibitors back, to stand alongside many who have increased their presence for 2011. For more on exhibitors at IMEX 2011, visit Who Exhibits |
New Hosted Buyer Groups
With, amongst others, increased interest from Brazil, more groups from key hotel groups and groups delivering buyers organising association or sporting events for thousands of people, we had over 20 new groups delivering hosted buyers from across the world...
Our new groups included:
AC Forum CWT Group: IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) – US buyers: Ring Hotels: Select Group Marketing: Sport Accord: Smart Ideas, Greece: Carinho Hotels and Resorts: NH Hotels Czech Republic: Dolce Hotels Switzerland: Hilton Montreal: Incentive Destinations: Meetings in Europe: Starwood Hotels and Resorts UAE: Tour House Brazil: ALATUR, Brazil: Hilton USA Virginia: Wedgewood Brazil: Atout France Belgium: Atout France UK
We also had the Merck Global meetings team joining us – responsible for $700 million worth of annual meeting spend
Also New for Hosted Buyers
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Free Wi-Fi: For the first time hosted buyers had free wi-fi access in the halls, courtesy of Destination Frankfurt Rhein-Main
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Free massage: hosted buyers had free massages in the hosted buyers lounge, courtesy of Meetings Mindset® (see below).
For more on the hosted buyer programme at IMEX 2011, visit Hosted Buyers
New Attractions (New Vision)
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IMEX went experiential: a scent machine was placed in one of the seminar rooms to help people’s concentration.
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Meetings Mindset® : focused on delegate performance. The Online Performance Center launched 11 April and assisted attendees in setting measurable and specific goals before the show; it also gave practical tips, tools and techniques to help achieve these goals. After the show, it will help attendees to review and measure their goals. Onsite, Meetings Mindset® offered massages in the hosted buyer lounge and a stand with brain training techniques and practical tips on improving onsite meeting performance. A seminar was also offered, ‘Are you in the Meetings Mindset® ?’
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Women’s Forum evolved into ‘Women’s Leadership Forum’ and was led by Liz Jackson, President of Jackson Consulting and Susan Sarfati, CEO of High Performance Strategies.
See the full range of projects and initiatives in our New Vision section
New Education
There were over 90 educational events taking place at IMEX 2011. Highlights included:
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New hot topic ‘campfires’: A new addition to the IMEX education programme was a series of hot topic ‘campfires’. These 30 minute sessions were available to just 10 or 12 visitors offering an intimate setting to discuss subject matter with experts and peers. Campfire sessions offered fast-track introductions to fundamental business skills including the value of in-house PR, new cross-cultural approaches and managing online services. All were delivered by experts in their field on the Professional Development and Innovation Pavilion.
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“Build your perfect events team” by George Sirius, CEO of Eventsforce Solutions
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Event management consultant, Richard John, presented a personal and professional development seminar on “The Success Pie”
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German language seminars were split into key topic areas: Social media, CSR/ green, association management, business travel, legal issues. Each day featured a key well-known speaker including Dieter Baumann – a famous German athlete and Sascha Lobo - a famous German blogger and social media guru.
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Convention 2020: Another important part of the IMEX 2011 programme was the chance for participants to hear the latest findings from the next phase of the Convention 2020 research report by Fast Future Research (IMEX is a founding partner of the research).
For the full education and events programme online, visit Events and Seminars
New Green/Environmental
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We purchased zero carbon train tickets for hosted buyers travelling to the show on Deutsche Bahn
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USBs: Share Your Spares’ - bins were provided for IMEX participants to leave surplus USB sticks for recycling through a schools distribution partner in India.
New Technology and Apps
Mobile app, QR codes, open group appointments, social media and more – all ways in which we harnessed the latest developments to improve IMEX, online.
To find out more, visit What’s New Online
