Print Preview : Ray Bloom Chairman of IMEX

Ray Bloom Chairman of IMEX

TravelDailyNews: European MICE market is one of the major markets worldwide. What are your estimations for Europe and Germany this year?

Ray Bloom: The pattern of continuing expansion in the European market for international meetings and incentive travel is being maintained – this is largely due to the increasing number of events rather than an increase in budgets. A recent IMEX survey shows that the cost and return on investment of corporate and association events remain high on the agenda of organizers. There is also evidence that the trend towards shorter-notice meetings may be being driven by the anticipation of lower prices in venues. Our surveys also show that there has been a noticeable increase in interest in environmental issues both in the European market and worldwide.

TDN: Which are the emerging markets in Europe’s MICE industry and what role could they play in Europe’s competitive environment?

R. B.: The emerging markets in Europe are predominately Eastern European countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Romania and Poland which are all showing increasing demand for meetings and incentive travel

Buyers in these countries were asked how they viewed demand for outbound meetings and incentive travel in the future and almost all (over 80%) expressed confidence that growth will continue, but in some cases with reservations or qualifications – smaller group sizes were mentioned and the trend towards shorter conferences due to increasing pressures of work. In a number of countries the evolution of the combined incentive and meeting (for reasons both of tax and corporate perception) was mentioned.

TDN: What are the differences among Europe, US and Asia – Pacific markets in the MICE business?

R. B.: The meetings and incentive travel industry continues to grow globally and not just within Europe. Our research shows that the issues that are currently affecting the European industry are the cost of meetings and incentives, the need to measure return on investment, the new emphasis on multi-culturalism in business tourism and concerns about the environment. Within North America significant growth is predicted in both the number of events and also in budgets. Key issues for North Americans are time constraints and security as well as environmental concerns, with ‘world economic circumstances’ overtaking the cost of events.

Within Asia there is increasing demand from countries such as China – a recent example that we picked up from one of our exhibitors, Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau, is the Amway China incentive and training conference which will be held in Melbourne in 2008 bringing in 10,000 people - the largest incentive group ever to visit the city – and this growth is set to accelerate.

TDN: How does technology facilitate the MICE process and what is your opinion for e-conferences?

R. B.: Technology cannot replicate the face-to-face experience of meetings and conferences, however event technology can significantly enhance and facilitate meetings and events – for example IMEX is embracing technology through our online diary system which allows buyers to research and make appointments with exhibitors in advance of the show. The use of web-casting can enhance conferences for example by allowing participation by senior people who may not be able to attend in person. Virtual e-conferences for small numbers will have their place but event technology is best used to enhance real conferences.

TDN: Recently you have launched the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum gathering many students from all around the world. How important is the new generation for the MICE business and what are the benefits from encouraging the student community to follow a career in MICE industry?

R. B.: It is extremely important that there are well qualified young leaders to follow in the footsteps of the pioneers who created the meetings industry. Increasingly the meetings industry is a wonderful opportunity for collaboration and partnerships to be formed by young people. This will ensure the future creative development of the meetings industry and shall always be used to promote peace, tolerance and understanding.

The IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum has seen 800 students pass through the programme since its launch. The latest Forum held in Warsaw in August resulted in 85% of student delegates saying they are now more likely to consider a career in the meetings industry. It is our long-term ambition to make the Future Leaders a truly global programme. Both IMEX and MPI will be partnering ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) in running Future Leaders Forums at their educational events especially for students in developing countries in 2007.

TDN: Climate awareness is becoming an issue of high importance for global meetings. What initiatives have you undertaken towards this direction?

R. B.: IMEX’s environmental initiatives include the IMEX Green Awards - there are two awards open to meeting planners: Commitment to the Community, which recognises planners who have made innovative efforts to benefit the local community, and the Green Meetings Award which recognises environmental awareness amongst meeting organisers. New for IMEX 2006 was the Green Exhibitor Award, launched to encourage IMEX exhibitors to minimise the environmental impact of their stands. We also run a Corporate Responsibility Centre at the show where IMEX participants can learn how to reduce the environmental and social impacts of their events.

TDN: How do you comment IMEX’s recent survey and its results for greener events? Would the adoption of a green policy result in higher operational cost for industry?

R. B.: The IMEX survey has picked up on a wider trend within the industry for greener events. Our environmental initiatives and research demonstrate that companies who adopt a green policy can actually save money – for example using low voltage lighting at a venue will increase energy efficiency and reduce costs, reducing the amount of material sent to an event and providing delegates with more online information will reduce both carbon emissions and shipping costs and using water stations and biodegradable cups instead of water bottles will reduce both waste and food and beverage costs.

TDN: What are your expectations for IMEX 2007 and what is the feedback from the industry so far?

R. B.: Further growth is expected for IMEX 2007 with a significant expansion of the hosted buyer programme. Increased numbers will participate from Australia, the Middle East and the United States. The largest increase will be from the United States where we are working with various hotel groups who already participate in the hosted buyer programme. In addition to this new hosted buyer programmes are being established with ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) and PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association), with IAEM (International Association for Exhibition Management) scheduled to bring increased numbers.

Alongside this will be an increase in the number of Europeans brought in by the hosted buyer programme, and a campaign to expand the German attendance is currently being developed.