Two more high profile and economically powerful buying groups have signed up to attend IMEX 2005…
Two more high profile and economically powerful buying groups have signed up to attend IMEX 2005 . Show organisers are now confident that 3,000 of the world`s top buyers will be attending as part of the hosted buyer programme as well as over 3,000 German buyers. The worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events takes place in Frankfurt, April 19th – 21st.
Within the last month, both HelmsBriscoe, the largest site selection and meeting services company in the world, and the UK`s Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) have booked to attend the show.
HelmsBriscoe has more than 7000 clients worldwide and is the largest purchaser of group hotel rooms in the world with a network of 575 associates in 26 countries. The HelmsBriscoe group will be flying in from an internal meeting in Budapest and is expected to be 30-strong. It will be led by CEO Roger Helms and International Managing Director, Pat Durocher. The Group will also include Ian Quartermaine, HBI Executive Vice President of Global Sales plus a number of Regional Vice Presidents and a large number of the company`s top International Associates.
Speaking about his decision to bring the group to IMEX, HelmsBriscoe CEO, Roger Helms, said, “Our strategy of providing meeting professionals with cost-effective solutions has secured us a market-leading position and we respect the fact that IMEX is ambitious to see that market grow and develop yet further. Looking at how the show has developed in the past couple of years, and given their strong track record, we felt the time was right to attend. There`s a strong correlation between what IMEX has accomplished in the meetings industry and our own corporate ambitions. We`re aiming to get a lot of business done in Frankfurt.”
Annual buying power of £500 million
Up to 60 British members of the HBAA will also be bringing their combined annual buying power of £500 million (€750 million) to IMEX when they attend as hosted buyers.
Jacqui Kavanagh of the HBBA comments, “As our members are now placing over £500M worth of conference and accommodation business in both the UK and internationally, we feel that it will be beneficial to attend IMEX so that we can familiarise ourselves with IMEX`s 2,500 exhibitors or more.”
Both groups will boost the total of 3,000 hosted buyers from over 50 world markets already expected to attend the show. Their presence has been enabled by IMEX`s solid commercial partnerships with 375 worldwide intermediaries plus many leading airlines such as Lufthansa, Gulf Air, Emirates, Swiss and Air Partner.
New exhibitor numbers keep rising
IMEX will move into Hall 8, the largest single floor hall at Messe Frankfurt this year. New exhibitors joining the exhibition include: Abercrombie & Kent; New Zealand; Sandals & Beaches Resorts, Jamaica; BMW World; Regione Calabria, Italy and Moscow Exhibition & Convention Agency. From the USA, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chicago Meetings & More, New York City and the Jacksonville & the Beaches CVB also signed up.
Continual demands for more space
Greece, Luxembourg and Maison de La France are amongst those European countries that have opted to significantly increase their stand space whilst Eastern European countries, including Estonia, Latvia and Croatia have increased their space demands by an average of 37%. Non-European destinations also confirming large increases include Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Brunei (doubled), India, Egypt, Chile and Brazil.
Hotel groups will top 35 and MICE bookings up 26%
IMEX now expects a total of 35 major international hotel groups at Messe Frankfurt come April. Many, such as the Capsis Hotels, Conrad Hotels, Corinthia Hotels, Grecotel, Kempinski and Hilton Hotel groups, have increased stand sizes. Notably Rezidor Hotels will be 65% larger than last year. New hotel groups include Hyatt Hotels International and Rocco Forte Hotels.
Thorsten Meier, Managing Director of Leading Group Sales, explained why Leading Hotels of the World, have also increased their presence at the show. He says, “Our bookings out of the MICE segment are up 26% on last year`s. Clients seem to have confidence in travelling again and long haul destinations are definitely on the rise, hence we want to present and showcase more hotels from all over the world.” Leading Hotels will also be showcasing their new `Leading Spa` concept through their sponsorship of the wellness centre at IMEX – offering pampering and massages to guests.
Both the professional and personal education elements at IMEX will continue to be a strong attraction for visitors. The CIC (Convention Industry Council) has approved all IMEX education seminars for its CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) programme points and re-certification points. Leading international culinary and hospitality academy, Le Cordon Bleu, will again sponsor the Professional Development Pavilion.
IMEX organisers have also confirmed the final four `Wild Card` entries to win a free place at the exhibition as part of the show`s New Vision Programme. They are: Cameroon, Africa; Senegal, Africa; Timor-Leste, Asia Pacific and Pau in France.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
