Issue Contents
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The IMEX America model
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PCMA Convene May 27 |
Trade Show News Network June |
Meetings Review May 26 |
The IMEX America model, June 27
Unique in the U.S.
“IMEX America represents a unique model of trade show in the U.S.,” says IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom. “The fact that the show is hosted buyer-led will be a unique feature in the U.S. market, making IMEX America unlike any other trade show in North America.”
20,000 appointments
Hosted buyers plan, recommend or make financial decisions for corporate, association and incentive meetings, and must place international as well as domestic business to qualify for the event. Buyers are required to set up a minimum of eight appointments with trade associations and their attendance is tracked to ensure the appointments are kept. This minimum appointment number is often greatly exceeded. At IMEX Frankfurt, some buyers book as many as 20 to 30 appointments per day, resulting in over 50,000 appointments at the show, overall. IMEX America is expected to generate approximately 20,000 appointments.
“Our ability to bring hosted buyers in from both global and domestic markets and allow them to make their own appointments with their choice of exhibitors using our online diary and appointment system is unique,” Bloom says.
Business opportunities maximized
The concept is a business-led show that concentrates on the return-on-investment for both buyers and exhibitors. Business opportunities are maximized because buyers are pre-qualified and remain on the trade show floor longer due to their pre-arranged appointments. This model, new to the U.S. but common in other countries, was an indicator that an American version would be well received.
“We knew there was a gap in the U.S. market for a hosted buyer exhibition,” says Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group. “Because appointments are made well in advance of the show, exhibitors are not standing around hoping someone will come to their booth.”
Viva Las IMEX! May 27
Interest was high during the three-day event in IMEX America, which will debut in Las Vegas in October 2011. Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman, said Thursday that he expects that most destinations which exhibited this week also will exhibit in Las Vegas, along with 2,000 hosted buyers. Eighty percent will come from the U.S., Bloom said.
MPI drops WEC show, partners with IMEX America, June
When Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress kicks off June 24-27 in Vancouver, British Columbia, it will be the last time there’s a show floor to go to at the event.
Instead, MPI will be partnering with the launch of IMEX America when it debuts next year in Las Vegas. The announcement was made at a press conference last week during IMEX – the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events in Frankfurt, Germany.
“While MPI is committed to finding new and unique marketplace opportunities for WEC in the future, we’re recommending that all members who are seeking the most robust tradeshow and live marketplace experience in North America attend IMEX America in Las Vegas (in) October 2011,” said MPI President and CEO Bruce MacMillan.
Maritz to launch customer event during IMEX America, May 26
More than 100 of Maritz’s top clients
A clearly delighted and relaxed Ray Bloom took the floor at an early presentation today at IMEX in Frankfurt to reveal progress to date on the US version of the show, taking place next year in Las Vegas.
The IMEX Group chairman could not hide his excitement while announcing that leading meetings, events and incentive travel company Maritz had decided to launch a customer event during the US event. “More than 100 of Maritz’s top 500 clients will be there, along with the company’s senior executives,” Bloom revealed.