Frankfurt, Germany, 28th May 2009 – IMEX 2009 closed today on a high note as Ray Bloom, IMEX Chairman, declared the show a remarkable demonstration of the determination and desire of the international meetings industry to overcome the challenge of the global economic downturn and shape a positive and reassuringly profitable future.
Well over 3,700 hosted buyers combined with more than 5,100 unique visitors attended the Messe Frankfurt show making a total of nearly 9,000 over the three days. Records were also broken by the number of countries represented – 157 – by the 3500 companies who exhibited at IMEX this year.
Bloom further commented on an “outstanding” IMEX associations day, for the first time attended by more than 290 association planners. They created an “inspiring atmosphere of comradeship and shared goals”. He said, “word has obviously gotten around as to how big a merit so many like-minded organizations are capable of creating when they pool their ideas on business, training and progress. This event has improved continuously by meeting the special needs of this important and unique audience to a greater extent with each year. IMEX will build on this success in the next year by offering more training opportunities for special groups, such as purchasers from the pharmaceutical industry. Information on further optimizations will be released by IMEX throughout the following months.”
Feedback from exhibitors reinforced this confident mood. Neal Jones, Vice President Global Sales, Europe, Marriott Hotels International Ltd, said, “We look closely at our figures when planning marketing pushes such as IMEX and the value for money and return on investment guaranteed here is far greater than at any other exhibition. It’s a unique show offering pre-qualified visitors that really want to do business. This year seems to be busier than ever and there’s a great buzz around the place. The value of business that Marriott has achieved is now well into the millions so we are feeling very buoyant.”
Bloom also stated that the number of hosted buyers from long haul destinations had increased, notably from the US, Brazil, Russia, China and India. The result was an increased number of individual and group appointments and a significant rise in the amount of business being conducted between suppliers and buyers each day. “Our feedback this year in particular is that buyers have arrived more prepared than ever to do business, with specific dates, events, numbers and budgets to fulfil. This has greatly increased their return on time invested and has been noticeable in dialogue with exhibitors before the show as well as on the show floor over the past three days,” he added.
Dedication to business
Looking to next year’s IMEX, Bloom reminded his audience of the show’s excellent track record in delivering high quality buyers from all the important markets and assured them that this “backbone” would be reinforced even further over the coming months. “We are aware that quality must always be combined with quantity to satisfy our exhibitors and we will not lose sight of this. We plan to increase the number of alliances with partners, and in particular global associations who can bring active and valuable buyers to Frankfurt. We will also continue to push back boundaries and challenge the industry where we think more progress can be made, whether that’s in new ways to do business or fresh educational thinking. By continuing to invest energy, focus, passion and resources we will ensure that IMEX remains dynamic and exciting and that it evolves in response to market needs every year. Ultimately we all know that success is measured by the volume and quality of business that IMEX generates for buyers and exhibitors, and that is why they keep returning. Business is our mantra – and that will never change – regardless of a world that’s rapidly changing around us.“
“IMEX – incorporating Meetings made in Germany, The Worldwide Exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events” is organized by Ray Bloom and Paul Flackett in association with GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. The trade fair integrates the GCB’s “Meetings made in Germany”. Along with its attractive range of exhibitors, IMEX offers visitors a comprehensive, gratuitous supporting program featuring 70 workshops, forums, special theme pavilions and various initiatives. Visitors can keep informed on and contact the exhibitors year-round via the “Virtual Exhibition” at www.imex-frankfurt.de. The findings of various trade surveys can be found on-line at http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/dataexchange.html. IMEX has received the following awards since its inception: AEO (Association of Exhibition Organisers) Award 2006 for „Best Trade Show”, AEO Award 2005 for „Best Visitor Experience – Trade Show“, Quorum Award 2003 for „Best International Event“.
