IMEX America Team
 |
Chairman of the IMEX Group Ray Bloom has assembled an experienced team of industry professionals to ensure the success of IMEX America: |
 |
Paul Flackett (Managing Director, IMEX Group) has been involved in the meetings and incentive travel industry for some 30 years, first as an organizer of conferences and events and then in the media field. Paul joined EIBTM at its launch and was managing director until it was sold to Reed Travel Exhibitions. In May 1999 he left Reed to set up his own company pf.redseven and, in September 2001, jointly announced with Ray Bloom the launch of IMEX. Paul has been a Site member since 1988 serving as Site International President in 1995 and Site Foundation President in 2002 . He gained the CITE qualification in 1994. He has also served as an MPI Chancellor and is currently Vice Chair of the DMAI European Advisory Council. In 1998 Paul was voted Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine personality of the year and in 2004 received the Moises Shuster award from ICCA in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the meetings industry. He has presented dozens of seminars across the world. |
 |
Carina Bauer (CEO, IMEX Group) has been involved in the meetings industry since 2002, first as Marketing and Operations Director of IMEX and now as CEO. As well as overseeing the IMEX Group’s operations, Carina has special responsibility over the Group’s marketing and communications mix, specifically concentrating on strategic partnerships, sponsorships and press relations. Carina has served on the Board of the MPI UK Chapter and on MPI’s International Multicultural Committee and as Marketing Chair for the MPI European Meetings and Events Conference in London. Prior to this she held the position of Managing Director of GoodBean Coffee, a family owned chain of coffee shops located throughout the South of England. This business, of 13 operating stores, was sold in December 2001. Carina holds a degree from Oxford University in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. |
 |
Sarah Shepherd (PA to Ray Bloom/Group Travel Coordinator, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in November 2002 as a temp and PA to Ray Bloom and was offered a full time position as Marketing and Promotions Administrator in December 2002, before joining the Hosted Buyer Team in 2003, still maintaining her role as PA to Ray Bloom. Sarah took up her current position in June 2008. Sarah has seven years experience in the hotel and catering industry after gaining a Diploma in Professional Catering. After changing direction Sarah worked as an administrator in both the public and private sector in sales and marketing and customer service. |
| Top of page | |
Sales |
|
|
|
|
 |
Heather Gough (Sales Director, IMEX Group) has worked in the meetings and incentive travel industry for over 14 years. Her experience includes six years with EIBTM where she progressed from the managing director's PA to Sales Manager. This was followed by 12 months as Project Manager for an event management company, based in Brighton, organizing international conferences and incentives, including the International Diabetes Federation Congress for 8,500 delegates in Mexico City. Having joined IMEX as Sales Manager in September 2001, she is now Sales Director. Heather holds a degree from the University of Wales, College of Swansea in French and Italian with Business Studies. |
| Top of page | |
| Top of page | |
 |
Oliver Bailey (Sales and Organizing Manager, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in January 2004 from Brighton-based Martlet, where he was involved in travel logistics projects within the medical meetings arena. He also worked for Congress World on the 18th International Diabetes Federation Congress in Paris in 2003. Prior to this Oliver worked as marketing manager for a London-based consumer exhibition and for Meeting Planner magazine. Oliver was promoted to Sales and Organizing Manager in July 2006. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Faye Bennett (Sales Manager, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in October 2005 and has over nine years experience in the meetings industry. She previously worked for a venue finding agency, responsible for sales and account management and worked on a variety of events including the World Tax Conference, company away days and product launches. Faye was promoted to Sales Manager in June 2009. She was part of the 2010 IMEX Challenge team and will be co-managing the 2012 IMEX Challenge.
|
| Top of page | |
 |
Alex Donaldson (Sales Manager, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in April 2010 with over 12 years experience in the meetings industry. Having graduated with a BA Honours degree in Hospitality Management, Alex joined Reed Exhibitions as Sales Executive working on Hotelympia and Hospitality Week. In 1999 she joined Chelsea Village as Sales Manager for Meetings and Events. In 2001 she became Assistant Director of Sales at Radisson SAS Portman Hotel before becoming Director of Sales at the new Radisson SAS Stansted Airport. Before joining IMEX, Alex worked for Chess Partnership, a London-based hospitality recruitment consultancy. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Richard Allchild (Senior Sales Executive, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in September 2008. After graduating Royal Holloway, University of London, with a BA History degree he joined Haymarket Business Publications in London where he worked as sales executive on publications including PR Week, Black Book, Conference & Incentive Travel Venue Directory and Incentive Business Magazine. Richard left Haymarket in 2006 to study business management at CCSN in Las Vegas. In 2007 he rejoined Haymarket in their New York office selling for their flagship New York title PR Week, before moving back to the UK to join the IMEX team. |
| Top of page | |
Hosted Buyer Programs |
|
 |
Nikki Williams (Director of Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) joined EIBTM in 1996 assisting with the hosted buyer program following a career in hotel management and publishing. From March 2001 Nikki held the position of Relationship Marketing Manager working on EIBTM, AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) and the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) to source buyers to attend these shows. Nikki left Reed Travel Exhibitions to join IMEX as Marketing & Promotions Manager. Nikki took up her current position as Director of Hosted Buyer Programs following IMEX 2003 and holds full responsibility for sourcing and delivering hosted buyers to IMEX. |
 |
Alan Ford (Operations Manager, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) has worked in the travel industry for 18 years, including seven years spent working in Portugal, Switzerland, Cyprus, Spain, France and Italy as a holiday representative, ski guide and supervisor for TUI Travel Plc. He then worked for First Choice Ski & SkiBound Holidays in the UK in Customer Services, Administration, UK Operations and Sales. For the last six years Alan held the position of Product and Operations Manager responsible for contracting hotels, flights and ski services as well as the overseas operations. Alan joined IMEX in August 2010.
|
 |
Malcolm Erskine (Hotel Planning Manager, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) has 20 years experience in the travel industry, working for First Choice Holidays. He started as a resort representative in Greece, before working in France, Tunisia, Turkey and Canada. He then worked in the product department in the Crawley headquarters for seven years, before transferring to the dynamic packaging business unit, heading up the hotels department with additional responsibility for attraction tickets. More recently he worked with the IT department to implement contracts and reservations systems for some of their specialist holiday businesses. Malcolm joined IMEX in January 2011.
|
 |
Suzanne Medcalf (Account Manager, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX America) joined IMEX America in January 2010 following six years working in the marketing, tour management and public relations sectors. Suzanne was previously New Business Analyst at The Brand Union, a New York based branding and marketing firm. She also worked as a tour manager for the musical group Il Divo and as a publicist for the news media programs on NBC, including Today and Nightly News.
|
|
Sarah Arnold (Account Manager, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) began her career as a customer services representative at Air 2000 after completing an honors degree in Hospitality Management. In 1998 she joined the Paramount Hotel Group as Events Manager, based at their Brighton hotel. In 2000 Sarah moved to PAREXEL MMS Europe as Project Manager organizing international meetings within the pharmaceutical industry including symposia and exhibitions. Sarah joined the hosted buyer team in September 2005. |
 |
Annie Speyer (Account Manager, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) has worked in the meetings industry for the past 10 years. She was Event Manager for Medicultura France, responsible for the logistics of the annual conference for the European Association for Hospital Pharmacists. In 2001 she joined PPSI as a project manager, where she managed international advisory boards, symposia, speaker training and stand alone meetings as well as organizing the attendance of her clients and their delegates at European and international congresses. Annie joined the hosted buyer team in July 2007. |
 |
Donna Fung (Account Manager, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) has nine years experience in the meetings and events industry with eight years previous experience in the travel industry. Donna worked as a project executive for Martlet, the conference and incentive division of Sportsworld, for four years. Since leaving Martlet, Donna has freelanced taking on the planning and operation of congress activities, stand-alone meetings and seminars as well as international congress participation. donna.fung@imexexhibitions.com
|
 |
Lucy Dancer (Account Manager - Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) began her career as a public relations consultant. She then worked for a Japanese government sponsored program based in Japan, acting as an ambassador of British culture setting up educational and cultural events within the Kumamoto region. Lucy joined IMEX in October 2007.
Lucy holds a degree in English Literature, and a Diploma in Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations. |
 |
Vicky Standen (Account Manager - Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) has a strong background in customer services and account management. She has worked in a range of sectors, including healthcare where she held the position of Key Account Manager for Covidien UK Ltd, and in the travel industry working for Monarch Airlines. Vicky has over 10 years experience in building and maintaining customer relationships, delivering internal and external training programs and organizing seminars and conferences. Vicky joined IMEX in September 2010. |
 |
Sally Bates (Account Executive - Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in May 2008 after taking a career break to raise her family. Sally has 15 years experience as a customer services manager working in the Card and Financial Services Divisions of American Express, and holds a Diploma in Business Studies. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Hayley Clevett (Visa Co-ordinator and Administrator, Hosted Buyer Programs, IMEX Group) graduated university with a degree in Business. Her career then began as an Office Administrator and after discovering a love of travel, she spent over six years working within the First Choice Travel Group. Roles included Yield Executive and Product Executive where she was responsible for the Canaries product. Moving within the group she more recently worked within the specialist sector of the company in a Yield and Tactical role within Island Cruises. Hayley joined IMEX in January 2011. hayley.clevett@imexexhibitions.com
|
| Top of page | |
Online Services |
|
 |
Christopher Perrins (Director of Online Services, IMEX Group) has been involved in event management for most of his working life, encompassing a whole range of activities from rock concerts in the middle of a muddy field, right up to the present day with IMEX. Christopher has worldwide experience, having lived and worked in Australia, Hong Kong, North America, and several European countries. The integration of new technologies, particularly the Internet, as a marketing and communications tool, has been Christopher’s focus for much of his career. Christopher joined IMEX in January 2003, after five years with Reed Exhibitions. |
| Top of page | |
 |
David Broadus (Database Manager, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in February 2010. David grew up in sunny California where he embarked on a career in marketing and sales promotion for several department store chains in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. After relocating to New York he moved into the world of conferences and exhibitions as registration manager for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, where he worked on many financial conferences throughout the United States. David emigrated to the UK in 2007 and worked as data analyst for publications and exhibitions for Optima Data Intelligence Ltd before moving to IMEX. |
| Top of page | |
Marketing |
|
 |
Oliver Hone (Marketing Director, IMEX Group) has been dedicated to marketing throughout his career of nearly 20 years. For many years he worked in and ultimately managed the marketing departments of several of the UK’s and the world’s leading recruitment consultancies, understanding and applying the many facets of marketing to help build and support recognizable brands in this very competitive business-to-business world. In amongst all this, he spent a couple of years agency side to get first-hand experience of both a design agency and the world of PR. In March 2010, attracted by the challenge of a new industry and the success and the growth plans of the IMEX Group, Oliver joined us, and hopes to transfer a wealth of marketing experience as well as relationship building to complement our effective marketing team. Along with his experience, Oliver has a degree in Psychology from the University of Reading. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Sophie
Jackson (Publications Manager, IMEX Group) joined IMEX as Marketing Manager in November 2003
from the communications division of VisitBritain where she held the position
of International Markets Manager leading a team responsible for assisting
the UK tourism industry in developing new business from overseas. Sophie
joined VisitBritain in 1997 from the marketing department of Orient-Express
Hotels.
She moved to her current position in August 2011.
Sophie holds a degree in European Business Studies and an Advanced Diploma in Communication Studies. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Ellie Scott (Marketing Executive, IMEX Group) has worked in the meetings industry for over six years. Starting out as a marketing assistant for Universal Pictures Video, London, Ellie joined the Meeting Services Department of PPSI in 2002, organizing congress participation for pharmaceutical clients. She then left PPSI to take a gap year travelling through South East Asia, where she spent six months working in New Zealand. Rejoining PPSI in 2004, she progressed to Assistant Project Manager, organizing international stand alone conferences, training meetings and symposia. Ellie joined IMEX in January 2010. Ellie graduated with a degree in Business Studies specializing in Marketing. |
 |
Teresa Kwok (Marketing Executive, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in July 2010 with six years marketing and event management experience. She began her career in the research department at English Tourism Council on a work placement, as part of her Business and Tourism Management degree. After graduation, she worked as the Communications & Events Executive at UKinbound. Her passion for travel inspired a gap year to South America and Australasia. Teresa has held various marketing roles within the travel and events industry. |
 |
Rachel Munro (Marketing Executive, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in March 2009 in the dual role of Office Manager/Marketing Assistant before moving full time to the marketing team in January 2010. She has over 15 years experience in office management, customer service, executive assistant support and marketing administration gained in both the private and public sectors. Rachel was promoted to her current position in August 2011. Rachel took part in the first IMEX Challenge in Warsaw, Poland. The project involved renovating the garden of a foster home over three days with 20 other meeting industry volunteers. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Natasha Richards (Marketing and Sales Executive, IMEX Group) previously worked in the meetings and exhibitions industry, most recently organizing a stand alone conference for a large global industrial automation company in Paris. She has over 15 years experience in customer service, marketing and online retail with seven years at senior management level as Head of Customer Services at Lookfantastic. Natasha holds a BA Hons degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex. Natasha joined IMEX in February 2011. natasha.richards@imexexhibitions.com
|
| Top of page | |
Events and Projects |
|
|
Dale Hudson (Events and Projects Director, IMEX Group) began her career working for EIBTM as a marketing co-ordinator before going on to complete a BA Honours degree in Management, specializing in environmental practices within the meetings industry. After graduating she worked as a marketing manager and then as head of corporate communications within education and then for two of the country's leading incentive houses. During the two and a half years with them, she held the position of Senior Project Manager, responsible for incentive marketing - devising pharmaceutical incentive plans and as Project Manager, organizing incentive trips for various commercial companies. Dale was promoted to her current position in June 2011. Dale is currently a member of the Board of GMIC (Green Meeting Industry Council). dale.hudson@imexexhibitions.com
|
Sylvia Taylor (Events and Projects Planner, IMEX Group) started her career with Sportsworld Travel working on the corporate program for the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. Sylvia then moved to Martlet as a conference organizer for incentives and medical meetings. She joined IMEX in 2005 from PPSI where she was a Senior Project Manager, responsible for organizing international meetings within the pharmaceutical industry including symposia and exhibitions. Sylvia worked initially in the Hosted Buyer team as an Account Manager and then as Hotel Planning Manager before joining the Events and Projects team in August 2010. sylvia.taylor@imexexhibitions.com
|
|
| Top of page | |
 |
Miguel Neves (Events and Projects Planner, IMEX Group) has produced meetings, conferences and events throughout Europe and North America since 2005. Miguel joined IMEX in August 2011 following a three year experience with SYNAXIS Meetings & Events. An active member of MPI since 2007, Miguel currently holds the role of Director of Online Marketing for MPI United Kingdom & Ireland Chapter. Miguel frequently speaks at industry events on Social Media as well as Generation Y, Return on Investment, Meeting Architecture and Cultural Challenges. Miguel holds a Master’s degree in Conference and Events Management from the University of Westminster.
|
| Top of page | |
Organizing |
|
 |
Nalan Emre (Organizing Director, IMEX Group) has been involved in the exhibition industry for 12 years, beginning her career as Project Manager for a trade show and special events company based in Munich, Germany. During her six years with the company she planned, organized and supervised trade shows in various German cities. In April 2001 Nalan joined Hall-Erickson in Chicago, helping to organize The Motivation Show, the world's largest incentive merchandise and travel show. When she returned to Germany Nalan became a freelance event organizer based in Munich organizing events in Germany. She joined IMEX early in 2002 and was promoted to her current position of Organizing Director after IMEX 2004. Currently on maternity leave. |
| Top of page | |
|
Mark Mulligan (Senior Organizing Manager, IMEX Group) relocated from UBM Aviation in Manchester where he was Senior Operations Manager for Routes events. Since graduating from Liverpool University in 2003 with a degree in Politics and Sociology he took operational responsibility for the growing portfolio of Routes events including World Routes, the world’s largest gathering of aviation industry professionals. His experience to date includes delivery of large scale exhibitions in Sweden, Malaysia, China and Canada. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Katharina Elliott (Senior Organizing Executive, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in November 2010 after graduating from the University of Passau, Germany with a degree in International Business and Cultural Studies, specializing in Anglo-American countries. As part of her degree she spent one year gaining work experience through work placements across Europe with Culture Team, MK in Milton Keynes, Bertelsmann Club in Barcelona and the International Exchange Organization AFS in Stuttgart. In 2007, Katharina moved to the UK and worked as a Personal Assistant in the construction industry before joining the IMEX team. Katharina was promoted to her current position in January 2012. |
| Top of page | |
Finance |
|
 |
Jo Frost Maidment (Finance Director, IMEX Group) graduated from London University with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics. She later trained with Coopers and Lybrand qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1983. After a number of years working as an auditor with both Coopers and Lybrand and KPMG, she took over responsibility for the finance departments of EIBTM and Incentive World. She has been involved with IMEX since its launch in September 2001. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Hilary Burtenshaw (Finance Manager, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in November 2002. Prior to this she worked in accounting roles within the travel, exhibition (Incentive World), retail, utilities and finance industries. Hilary passed the Diploma Certificate Level AAT Accounting Qualification in June 2008 and the NVQ Intermediate Level AAT Accounting Qualification in June 2009. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Harriet Fisher (Financial Accountant, IMEX Group) graduated from Middlesex University in 1998 with a degree in Criminology with American Studies and became ACCA qualified in 2005. Harriet joined IMEX in March 2010 from Fender Musical Instruments where she held the position of Financial Accountant. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Emma Norman (Office Manager, IMEX Group) has 15 years customer service experience working in the travel, medical and financial industries. She joined the Premier Medical Group in 1998, and progressed through the company to become the Operations Manager for sister company, Rapid Trauma Assessment in 2005. In 2004 she returned to University and achieved a Level 5 Diploma in Management. Until recently Emma worked as a Customer Support Manager for Jubilee Service Solutions before joining IMEX in February 2010. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Achilleas Schizas (Accounts Supervisor, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in 2006, initially organizing travel visas for international hosted buyers before taking up his current position. Achilleas holds a degree in IT from the University of Sussex and passed the Diploma Certificate Level AAT Accounting Qualification in June 2009. |
| Top of page | |
 |
Lorraine Fraser (Accounts Assistant, IMEX Group) has worked in various finance environments over the last 10 years including manufacturing, diagnostics, insurance and education. She passed the Association Accounting Technician Qualification in March 2003 and became a member of the AAT the following year. She has also recently passed Level 2 in Bookkeeping with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and become an associate member of the organization, hoping to take Level 3 in the near future. |
|
Roger Lehner (Accounts Administrative Assistant, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in October 2010 as part of an internship before taking up his current role. He has over nine year's experience in banking, having worked as client advisor for different banks in Switzerland. His last role was as a mortgage advisor for Switzerland’s largest sustainable and ecological bank, the Alternative Bank Switzerland. Before leaving his home country he completed nine months Civil Service for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where he undertook administrative tasks and organized small events. Roger took up his permanent position with IMEX in July 2011. |
 |
Fritha Wood (Accounts Administrative Assistant, IMEX Group) recently graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Geography (BSc). Fritha joined IMEX in September 2011. |
Consultants |
|
 |
Jon Bradshaw (Business Development Director, IMEX Group) joined IMEX in March 2004. Jon's sales career began in 1993 in the international publishing division of the BBC. In 1996 he moved to IAPA to work on their membership magazine First Class, before joining EIBTM in 1999. He then spent three years as Sales Director for Premier Global, the UK's largest provider of personal fitness training courses. Jon was IMEX Business Development Director from June 2009 to September 2011. Jon is the founder of Meetings Mindset® and also co-manages the IMEX Challenge. |
 |
Kimberly Meyer (Strategic Initiatives, IMEX America). Kimberly’s acquisition background includes thirteen completed acquisitions of meetings management, event production, tradeshow and related companies. Kimberly has served as Vice President of Corporate Development for WTMI (now BCD Meetings and Incentives), and Director & Field Marketing Leader for Mellon Financial Corporation. She has been a presenter on meeting and event topics for MPI and NBTA, is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School and has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. kimberly.meyer@imexexhibitions.com
|
 |
Geraldine Gatehouse (Western Region Marketing, IMEX America) was born and educated in Britain and travelled extensively prior to arriving in southern California. Her European background, fluent French and experience of working internationally led her to a career in the incentive travel industry. She joined The Masters Group Incentive Marketing Company in 1992 and was promoted to the Director of Travel Operations & Purchasing in 1995. Geraldine left in 2006 to develop her own business encompassing incentive travel, planning, marketing and consulting.
|
 |
Terri Breining (Executive Meetings Forum, IMEX America) CMP, CMM is a principal with Breining Group LLC, whose focus is facilitating, training and consulting in the meeting industry. Terri has been in the meeting planning industry for more than three decades, and has been responsible for producing meetings around the globe. Considered by many to be a thought leader, Terri is an activist working tirelessly on the continuous advancement of knowledge, skill and professionalism in the meetings industry. She is a sought after speaker, presenting educational workshops for a variety of business entities, and co-authored a book with Jack Phillips, entitled Return on Investment in Meetings and Events. Terri served MPI as the Chairwoman of the International Board of Directors in 2003-04, and she has been included several times on the list of “Most Influential People in the Meeting Industry” by Meeting News Magazine. Most recently, she was inducted into the Convention Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders for 2010. |
|
MeetGreen® works with progressive global organizations to integrate sustainable practices and produce conferences and events that deliver targeted business results. At the core of our work is the desire and commitment to engage in activities that make a difference in the lives of the people we touch by creating meaningful interactions and doing all we can to help heal and improve the health of the planet. It's about more than just sustaining life, it's about creating a thriving environment by:
|
