Press Releases
Press Release - 22/01/2002
Ray Bloom:
IMEX - The World-Wide Exhibition for Incentive Travel & Meetings & Events incorporating 'Meetings Made in Germany'
With the incorporation of the brand Meetings Made in Germany, until now primarily positioned in the congress market of the German Convention Bureau (GCB), IMEX has created a strong partnership between the GCB, the chairman of the new trade fair Ray Bloom, and Paul Flackett, the managing director of IMEX. IMEX is the first international trade fair for the international congress, meeting, event and incentive travel sector in Germany. It is also the world's only meeting place for the industry which can build on both a very strong national market and international delegates. The great challenge for the partners IMEX and GCB at the trade fair is the task of harmonising the demands and expectations of domestic and international exhibitors.
IMEX itself is planned as a three-day trade fair with an exhibition in the new Hall 3 as well as accompanying workshops and seminars in the new forum at the Messe Frankfurt - in the first year from 8 to 10 April 2003, then in Spring 2004 and 2005. However, IMEX will also provide marketing support for its exhibitors and approach buyers throughout the year. The "virtual trade fair" website www.imex-frankfurt.com and a consultancy advisory service will create a platform for continuous business. "IMEX wants to meet the expectations of its exhibitors," continues Ray Bloom. That also means acting as a service platform for marketing research, for presenting new products and for making contacts. IMEX managers must help exhibitors in planning and organising their events in and around the trade fair.
"IMEX will be a listening trade fair," says Ray Bloom emphasising his interest in the ideas and contributions of exhibitors, trade associations and experts. IMEX will constantly adapt to respond to changing needs from the whole meeting and incentive travel market. In addition, the new trade fair wants to premiere improvements and inspirational new ideas that have been proven in practice. "Business has priority when exhibitors and visitors invest time and money," is how Bloom formulates the clear goals of IMEX. A large number of the visitors are carefully selected "hosted buyers". New incentives such as the "Chairman's Club" with exclusive service will reinforce the marketing activities. Video conferencing will allow exhibitors to communicate with buyers who are not participating personally at the trade fair. For the first time "marketing mentors" are planned to support sales contacts and discussions between the trade fair stands.
The new trade fair will be distinguished by exceptional comfort and support for its visitors. "Every participant at IMEX will experience 5-star treatment," announces Bloom. Modern technologies will play an important role at IMEX. Some of the world's leading developers of innovative ideas will be presenting new products specifically for the industry at IMEX. The trade fair is striving to be the market leader in exploiting the advantages of high-technology for the meetings and incentive travel sector. "IMEX wants to create additional motivation for action among exhibitors and visitors, and indeed in the whole industry," says the chairman further describing his vision. The trade fair will become an academy for life-long learning.
In addition IMEX will launch a competition for exhibitors with creative ideas for incentives and promotion. Then there is the "wild card concept" - taking destinations that are not currently known as incentive destinations and fostering their potential. This "wild card" destination will also benefit from a complimentary IMEX stand.
IMEX will also act as the voice of the industry by conducting long-term campaigns," says Bloom: Plans include lobbying governments on behalf of the congress industry, developing new talent among young buyers, multicultural events and partnerships with universities. IMEX will address the effects of climate change on tourist regions and pioneer new methods for service providers in the meetings sector. In addition there will be an annual focus on the need to protect animals threatened by extinction. IMEX subscribes to social responsibility in the industry and will use sponsorship to mark its support for giving back to the world.
