An elite group of high-level corporate planners will attend IMEX 2005 by special invitation of Meeting Professionals International (MPI)….
An elite group of high-level corporate planners will attend IMEX 2005 by special invitation of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). The group will comprise 16 leading buyers from some of the world`s largest companies, 80% of whom are based in the US and Canada. Known as the `Global Corporate Circle of Excellence` (GCCOE), this new group is co-chaired by Betsy Bondurant, CMP, CMM, associate director of meeting planning and travel services for Amgen Inc., and Luca Favetta, EMEA, global event director at SAP, from North America and Europe respectively.
Established in 1999, this high profile group convenes to guide MPI and the industry on policy development, education, alliance-building and communication. A key trend that they are currently examining is the increasing role of procurement officers in the meeting management process.
MPI`s strategic plan is all about elevating the role of meeting professionals and demonstrating the power of meetings, said Hugh Lee, 2004-2005 Chairman of the Board for MPI. He also added that Procurement officers are just one of many senior stakeholders who must be educated about the value of meetings. Our partnership with IMEX will continue to raise awareness of these important trends throughout Europe, as we provide meeting professionals with tools to influence procurement and all executives about the return on investment of meetings.
This will be the first time that the group has met in Europe and will conclude on the first day of the tradeshow, allowing these influential buyers 2 days to visit the exhibition halls.
This hosted group supports the increasingly worldwide nature of IMEX`s hosted buyer programme, which is forecast to deliver 3,000 buyers in 2005. A large part of this expansion will come from key long-haul markets including more buyers from the US, South America, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the emerging CIS countries. New intermediaries from all parts of the world, including strategic alliances with a number of leading international airlines underpins the programme.
These figures are in addition to the 3,000 buyers already expected to attend from the German outbound market, thanks to a strong strategic partnership with the German Convention Bureau (GCB).
34% increase in average stand size Exhibitors are also demonstrating their faith in the 2005 show. Almost 2/3rds of those already contracted have opted to increase the size of their stand against last year. The average increase in stand size now sits at an impressive 34%. This suggests that IMEX`s decision to move the fair to Hall 8, Messe Frankfurt`s largest single-floor hall, a full year ahead of schedule is both well-timed and welcomed by the market.
Amongst those who have committed to significantly bigger stands are Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Argentina and Turkey. Mexico has doubled its stand space whilst Portugal will increase its presence to 500 square metres.
Nicole Felix, Director of Visit Mexico said We recognize IMEX as one of the largest global meetings and incentive exhibitions in the world. One of the main aspects of interest for us are the opportunities to do business and the possibility to meet with hosted high profile buyers, that`s why Mexico is going to be present in 2005 with double the space of 2004! We are looking forward to IMEX 2005 as the most productive ever.
IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, said We are delighted to welcome MPI`s Global Corporate Circle of Excellence to IMEX 2005 and to host these top corporate planners to the show. The increase in both the number and quality of buyers underpins our strategy to deliver the best marketing opportunities possible to our exhibitors.
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