Powerful start for IMEX in Frankfurt – Biggest show ever for 2014

Powerful start for IMEX in Frankfurt – Biggest show ever for 2014

Frankfurt, May 2014 – IMEX in Frankfurt opened earlier today in Messe Frankfurt’s Hall 8 with the announcement that the leading trade show for the international meetings, events and incentive travel industry has grown again in 2014. New stands, stand increases from existing exhibitors, the biggest education programme ever and the scale and diversity of the hosted buyer programme are the defining features of this year’s exhibition.

64 new stands join the line up of 3500 exhibiting companies on the show floor while over a third of previous exhibitors have increased the size of their stands on 2013. Growth from various regions of the world testifies to the meetings and events industry’s growing appetite for the appointment-driven trade show, with an 11% increase in space taken by Asia Pacific exhibitors, 5% increase from Latin America, an 8% increase from the USA and 3% from Europe. Strategic partners, the GCB German Convention Bureau, are hosting over 230 exhibitors on the show’s single largest stand, F100.

Rising numbers, growing sectors
Continuing a trend seen over the past few years, the cruise sector has grown this year with three new stands joining the line-up of cruise companies keen to maximize their share of the meetings, events and incentive travel market. Similarly the continuing growth of technology advisors, suppliers and product innovators is demonstrated in a 20%+ rise in technology exhibitors. Other sectors with a larger number of exhibitors at this year’s show include airlines, car rental companies, catering services, entertainment services, conference venues and hotel resorts specialising in golf, gaming or skiing.

IMEX Opening Crowd New hosted buyer groups
20 new hosted buyer groups, the majority of which represent long-haul markets, add to the number of hosted buyers expected at the show this week. New services have also been introduced to help buyers make best use of their exhibitor appointments and business meetings at the show. A spacious new lounge for hosted buyers has been constructed to take account of rising numbers. It has double the seating capacity of previous years and features a new concierge desk, information counters, diary and boarding pass printing, mobile phone recharging plus an interactive floor plan and new food outlet. changes have been introduced to accommodate more buyers in the halls and also to allow the many thousands attending to use their time more efficiently and in more comfort.

Hallmark preshow events swell buying power
Among the hosted buyers taking part in important preshow events, and staying on at the show over the next few days, are over 300 association meeting planners from yesterday’s annual IMEX Association Day. In addition more than 80 senior executives and meetings buyers from the corporate sector also took part in the show’s latest niche education and networking event, Exclusively Corporate @IMEX. The corporate buyers represent 20 industry sectors and 21 countries. Together this powerful group brings a joint annual meetings and events buying power of $180 million to the show.

The IMEX professional education programme has also increased in scope and size in order to service the industry’s appetite for professional development while meeting the needs of rising numbers attending the show. This year’s programme is 25% bigger, with over 200 workshops, seminars and campfires being delivered by 132 speakers and industry experts. The GCB’s German language Seminartage programme will again offer German language education every day, including morning keynotes by high profile speakers. The programme is also delivered in the same eight-track format as the show’s English sessions.

Other German education includes a ‘Future Trends Clinic’, which is run by Veranstaltungsplaner, a leading association of German event planners, plus guided ‘IMEX Tours’, organised by MICE Club. The tours start by giving small groups of German visitors a short education session based on a theme from the recent GCB ‘Megatrends Report’ and continue with a guided tour of exhibitors and IMEX stands on the same theme.

Leisure travel leaders in cross industry dialogue
The presence of two leaders from the world’s leading leisure travel bodies, Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the United Nations Specialised Agency for tourism and Mr David Scowsill, President & Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), signals further strengthening in the authority of IMEX and its Politicians Forum. Their attendance at the Forum, and at the show today, represents a significant milestone for the IMEX Group, which has consistently pushed for greater and more open dialogue between the leisure and meetings, events and incentive travel sectors since it launched 12 years ago.
www.imex-frankfurt.com

Sydney’s creativity shines for almost 50,000 delegates

Sydney’s creativity shines for almost 50,000 delegates

Sydney is gearing up to host 51 association conferences and incentives secured by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) in the next seven months, which are expected to attract more than 47,000 of the world’s brightest minds to Australia’s leading business events destination.

Headlining this list of prestigious business events is the 105th Rotary International Convention that will take place at the iconic Sydney Olympic Park from 1–4 June. With less than a month to go, almost 18,000 delegates have registered for the event and an influx of local Rotarians are expected to sign up in the final weeks.

Other events to take place in Sydney in 2014 include the Pro-Health China Annual Conference for 4,500 delegates with an economic impact (EI) of $22.5 million and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Parks Congress for 3,000 delegates, with an EI of $24 million.

The Rotary Convention will inject an estimated $60.5 million into the local economy during the four official days, making it one of the largest and most significant business events ever organised in Australia. Some 148 countries will be represented at the event with large contingencies from Taiwan, the US, Japan, Korea and Australia.

The four-day Convention includes an exclusive sold-out performance at the Sydney Opera House and an Australia Football League match between the Sydney Swans and Geelong (tickets are still available!), which will be played during the Indigenous round of the AFL draw. Rotarians will also attempt a double world record to display the most flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and have the most people on the BridgeClimb experience at the same time.

Key to the Convention’s event program is Vivid Sydney, named Australia’s Best Tourism Event and the Australian Event of the Year in 2013, which makes a spectacular return to Sydney from 23 May to 9 June 2014. The Southern Hemisphere’s largest festival of light, music and ideas is expected to attract record audiences exceeding 800,000 people.

During the Rotary Convention, the Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney will play host to a ‘Vivid Visions’ cruise on Sydney Harbour that will be illuminated for the festival. Rotarian delegates will set sail on authentic 1920s twin sister Tall Ships for a spectacular evening of light and sound.

“Last year, six international events secured by BESydney were held alongside Vivid Sydney. We encourage conference and incentive planners to align their programs with Sydney’s stunning array of annual festivals and high-profile sporting events,” said BESydney’s CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith.

“Sydney’s major event calendar is full of brilliant opportunities to suit all tastes and event themes. Some shining examples of these are the Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi Beach; Good Food Month; and the largest lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia.”

The largest ever Vivid Ideas line-up of creative leaders and emerging talent, across a program of more than 200 events spanning 14 creative industries, has been launched for the 2014 Vivid Sydney. Vivid Ideas keynote speakers include renowned scholar, historian and founder of the Big History David Christian; CEO and co-founder of EpiBone, the world’s first company growing living human bones for skeletal reconstruction, Nina Tandon; digital effects genius Hao Li; and guest speakers from Tomorrow’s Toys and Future Shock.

Also tied into Vivid Sydney are business events including SPARC Design, the Good Design Australia Awards and Mumbrella360.

Later in September, the Pro-Health China Annual Conference will see approximately 4,500 high achievers visit Sydney. This is the first time that Pro-Health has taken its prestigious event outside of Asia and Australia’s harbour city is honoured to have this opportunity. Sydney’s ability to motivate, rewards and inspire delegates translates into tangible outcomes for Asian companies.

“Last year one of our clients shared with us that after announcing Sydney as their event destination they saw a 20 per cent increase in sales and a similar increase in qualifying team members for the incentive. Our once-in-a lifetime experiences continue to drive and inspire teams to succeed,” said Lyn Lewis-Smith.

For further information, images or to request an interview with CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith:

Business Events Sydney to launch new brand campaign at IMEX 2014

Business Events Sydney to launch new brand campaign at IMEX 2014

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) will launch its new brand and communications campaign to the international business events community at the IMEX 2014 tradeshow in Frankfurt.

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said IMEX was the ideal location to launch the new brand. “IMEX is the world’s largest industry tradeshow, so it made perfect sense to use this event as a launch pad for our new brand. Our team will meet with key decision makers and be able to explain the thought process behind the new look and feel, and what it means for their events, now and in the future.”

“IMEX is a great platform for us to talk to the world about our plans. It’s an important forum for us to share news and advances, and to continue to progress the industry. This year, in addition to exhibiting, we are also sponsoring the IMEX Inspiration Centre. We saw great synergies with the opportunity,” said Ms Lewis-Smith.

“The Inspiration Centre is where attendees will find stimulating education and training opportunities delivered by forward-thinking experts. It’s about focusing on issues that are genuinely pushing the boundaries of our industry and shaping its future, with programs that maximise performance, raise standards and enhance personal and professional skills. These are objectives that Sydney holds close to its heart.

“Our new brand that we are launching at IMEX, SYDNEY SHINES, is about sharing our city’s atmosphere of free thinking that results in inspired solutions. It’s about the Australian spirit that says “yes” to new ideas, embraces new challenges and flies in the face of convention. It’s about the freedom to try new things, the freedom to explore and even the freedom to fail in the pursuit of progress. Looking at the Inspiration Centre’s program, we immediately felt that it aligned with this ethos and we are proud to be a part of it.”

A preview of Sydney’s shiny new brand will be showcased to a select group of industry trade journalists at 1.50 pm on Tuesday 20 May during Sydney’s press conference. Hosted by Lyn Lewis-Smith, the press conference will also include updates to the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney and Darling Harbour Live development and the unveiling of Sydney’s new expenditure methodology.

BESydney will be joined by Beverley Parker from ICC Sydney and BESydney Ambassador and Australian expatriate, Tim Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr Walker will share his personal experiences of hosting an event in Sydney – twice – and what makes the city shine globally as premier business event destination.

Named the world’s most reputable city in 2013 and ranked among the world’s top 20 cities for the number of events held in the city each year by the latest ICCA Country and City Rankings results, Sydney is bursting with opportunity.

“From Barangaroo to Darling Harbour, our city is evolving at a rapid pace. ICC Sydney is now around 2.5 years from completion, but it’s only part of the Sydney story,” said Ms Lewis-Smith.

“Australia’s harbour city is getting on with business, with $63 billion worth of infrastructure committed by the New South Wales Government over four years. This is not the Sydney people knew a decade ago. The future is bright, it’s collaborative, and brimming with possibilities.

Sydney joins Tourism Australia on Stand B320 for the three-day international tradeshow.

Berlin auf der IMEX 2014

Berlin auf der IMEX 2014
Im Fokus: CityCube Berlin und 25. Mauerfall-Jubiläum

Berlin, Mai 2014 – Starker Auftritt für die Hauptstadt: Auf der IMEX 2014 präsentiert sich Berlin vom 20. bis 22. Mai auf dem deutschen Gemeinschaftsstand erstmals mit mehr als 30 Partnern. Das Berlin Convention Office von visitBerlin sowie Hotels, Locations, Kongress-Zentren und Agenturen der Stadt zeigen am Messestand F100-40/41, Halle 8, die Berlin-Highlights der kommenden Monate.

„Mit dem neuen CityCube Berlin und der modernen Hotellandschaft bietet Berlin seinen Kunden den optimalen Rahmen für Events. Die IMEX ist der passende Ort, um das zu zeigen“, sagt Heike Mahmoud, Director Conventions des visitBerlin Berlin Convention Office. „In Berlin treffen Vergangenheit und Zukunft aufeinander; hier ist die Hightech-Branche zu Hause. Daher ist die Stadt ideal für Kongresse aus Wissenschaft und Forschung.“

Der neue CityCube Berlin verfügt über eine Kapazität von 11.000 Teilnehmern und bietet einen modernen Rahmen für Kongresse und Tagungen. Mit der Expansion des Estrel Berlin um ein Kongress-Center wird die Hauptstadt ihre Position auf dem internationalen Markt weiter stärken.

25 Jahre Mauerfall und Kundenveranstaltung „Fall4Berlin“ in Großbritannien
Das 25. Mauerfall-Jubiläum ist das zentrale Thema des Hauptstadt-Standes. Höhepunkt der Feierlichkeiten im Herbst: eine zwölf Kilometer lange Lichtinstallation aus hunderten mit Helium gefüllten Ballons entlang des ehemaligen Mauerverlaufs. Der Messestand vermittelt einen ersten Eindruck dieser geplanten Aktion. Ausgewählte UK-Agentur-Kunden erleben vom 17. bis 18. Juli bei London, wie sehr sich Berlin seit dem Mauerfall verändert hat. Unter dem Motto „Fall4Berlin“ können sie ihr Berlin-Wissen bei interaktiven Challenges auf die Probe stellen.

Zukunft im Blick: Der Kongress-Sommer in Berlin
Berlin ist im Juni Gastgeber von gleich drei hochkarätige Veranstaltungen zu Zukunftsfragen: Vom 11. bis 13. Juni kommen die wichtigsten Vertreter der deutschen MICE-Branche zur „MEXCON – Meeting Experts Conference“ in die Hauptstadt. Insgesamt 34 internationale Vertreter von Verbänden und Kongressbüros treffen sich vom 26. bis 28. Juni beim „ICCA Sector Destination Marketing International Client/Supplier Business Workshop“ in der Stadt. Vom 29. Juni bis 2. Juli berät der internationale Verband der Ausstellungs- und Kongress-Zentren im Rahmen der „Annual Conference and 56th General Assembly of AIPC“ über aktuelle Trends.

Berlin in den Top 5 der internationalen Kongress-Destinationen
Spitzenposition für Berlin: In der aktuellen Statistik der International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) belegt die Hauptstadt im weltweiten Vergleich den fünften Platz. Bei der Zahl der Verbändekongresse konnte sich Berlin mit 178 Veranstaltungen im Jahr 2013 steigern (2012: 172).

Weitere Informationen zum Kongress-Standort Berlin unter convention.visitBerlin.de.

Für Rückfragen wenden Sie sich bitte an:
Katharina Dreger
visitBerlin-Pressesprecherin
Tel.: +49 (0)30 26 47 48 – 956
katharina.dreger@visitBerlin.de

Christian Tänzler
visitBerlin-Pressesprecher
Tel.: +49 (0)30 26 47 48 – 912
christian.taenzler@visitBerlin.de

ICC Sydney attracts the world’s best and brightest

ICC Sydney attracts the world’s best and brightest

Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has secured another four sought-after events for the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, bringing the total economic impact (EI) of international events for the centre to more than $55 million.

Opening in late 2016, the sophisticated new facilities are on schedule to welcome a host of international shining lights to Sydney.

Business Events Sydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith, said “Business Events Sydney has now secured eleven events for ICC Sydney, nine of which fall within the NSW Government’s priority sectors. These events will attract industry leaders from sectors as broad as professional services, ICT, international education and research, and medicine to Australia’s leading state.

“Business events and their legacies help to further NSW’s expertise and growth and we are excited by the redevelopment of Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct and the new ICC Sydney. These facilities will be key to continuing growth, fostering collaboration and furthering our global connections to fuel productivity.”

The four new international events that will take place in ICC Sydney are:
The IEEE Semiannual Vehicular Technology Conference in 2017, which is expected to attract 650 delegates over four days and generate an EI of $2.2 million
The World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI) Asia Pacific Regional Conference and General Assembly in 2017, which is expected to attract 450 delegates over two days and generate an EI of $1 million
The International Council of Commercial Arbitration Congress in 2018, which is expected to attract 800 delegates over four days and generate an EI of $3 million
International Congress of Behavioural Optometry (ICBO) in 2018, which is expected to attract 600 delegates over four days and generate an EI of $2.2 million.
“We’re thrilled with our global clients’ reponse to ICC Sydney. To have 11 events secured, about 2.5 years out from opening is such a strong sign of confidence and trust in Sydney’s ability to deliver world-class events and infrastructure,” said Ms Lewis-Smith.

“Conferences such as these have a massive impact on Sydney’s knowledge economy and Australia’s place on the global stage. Collaboration in the fields of research and best practice are simply more effective with the meeting of minds in one city. And there’s no better place to meet than in Sydney. It’s where people want to be.”

NSW accounts for just under half of Australia’s total professional, scientific and technical exports and in the past decade, professional services has been the third largest industry for the State. These factors, among others, helped BESydney to win the International Council of Commercial Arbitration Congress.

The International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) accepted a joint bid by Australia and New Zealand for its 2018 Congress to be held in Sydney, with an add-on event in Queenstown, New Zealand. The announcement was made at the association’s latest meeting in Miami, which attracted over 1,000 arbitrators and arbitration practitioners.

Ms Lewis-Smith said Sydney was an Asia-Pacific hub for professional services firms and talent.

“This win is a coup for Sydney that simultaneously recognises our leadership and strengthens our position in this vital sector.”

NSW is also home to the largest ICT industry in the country, with over 60 per cent of Australia’s ICT regional headquarters and operations centres based in Sydney. The IEEE Semi-annual Vehicular Technology Conference is a biannual conference, last held in Australia in 2006.

The IEEE Vehicular Technology Society concerns itself with land, airborne and maritime mobile services; portable commercial and citizens’ communications services; vehicular electrotechnology, equipment and systems of the automotive industry; traction power, signals, communications and control systems for mass transit and railroads.

Manufacturing makes an enormous direct and indirect contribution to the State’s economy, generating around $34 billion in GDP. Sydney last hosted the WSMI Asia Pacific Regional Conference and General Assembly in 2000. The WSMI is a federation of over 50 member associations representing manufacturers and distributors of non-prescription medicines and other self-care products categories on all continents. WSMI requires member associations to develop voluntary codes of advertising practice and encourages consumer-friendly labelling.

The International Congress of Behavioural Optometry (ICBO) is organised by the Optometric Extension Program Foundation, which is dedicated to the advancement of optometry through the gathering and dissemination of information and research on vision and the visual process. The NSW Government’s annual investment in health and medical research now exceeds $200 million, and the State is recognised internationally for the quality of its education and training, as well as its strong community of behavioural optometrists, which is one of the reasons the ICBO is being held in Sydney in 2018.

NSW has the largest research sector in Australia with the country ranked seventh in the world for the quality of its research institutions by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2012-13.

“Sydney’s selection as host for these four heavy-weight conferences further demonstrates the global interest in the city’s stunning new convention and exhibition facilities. ICC Sydney will open in late 2016 and will be a hub for the world’s best and brightest to connect, collaborate and innovate,” added Ms Lewis-Smith.

A full list of international events BESydney has secured for ICC Sydney is below.
International Bar Association Annual Conference for 2017, which is expected to attract 4,000 delegates and generate an EI of $18 million
AIPPI World Intellectual Property Congress for 2017, which is expected to attract 2,000 delegates and generate an EI of $7.3 million
International Association of Restructuring Insolvency Bankruptcy Professionals World Quadrennial Congress for 2017, which is expected to attract 800 delegates and generate an EI of over $2.1 million
International Conference of the Institute of Internal Auditors for 2017, which is expected to attract 1,600 delegates and generate an EI of $6.8 million
The IEEE Semiannual Vehicular Technology Conference in 2017, which is expected to attract 650 delegates over four days and generate an EI of $2.2 million
The World Self-Medication Industry Asia Pacific Regional Conference and General Assembly in 2017, which is expected to attract 450 delegates over two days and generate an EI of $1 million
The International Council of Commercial Arbitration Congress in 2018, which is expected to attract 800 delegates over four days and generate an EI of $3 million
Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors Congress for 2018, which will attract 500 delegates and generate an EI of $2.2 million
International Congress of Behavioural Optometry in 2018, which is expected to attract 600 delegates over four days and generate an EI of $2.2 million
20th International Congress of Cytology for 2019, which will attract 1,200 delegates and generate an EI of $4.8 million
Confidential international meeting for 2022, which will attract 1,500 delegates and generate an EI of $6 million.

For further information, images or to request an interview with CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith:
Aliena Conciatore, Head of Marketing
aconciatore@besydney.com.au
Tel: +61 2 9332 5246
Mob: +61 427 576 933

Over 6.500 one-to-one business appointments at Africa Travel Week

Over 6.500 one-to-one business appointments at Africa Travel Week

Press Release: 2nd May 2014

The first Africa Travel Week taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) got off to a successful start on 28th April with ILTM Africa (International Luxury Travel Market), IBTM Africa (Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings) and WTM Africa (World Travel Market) which starts today, 2nd May. When the show closes tomorrow, the whole week will have delivered to Africa over 6,500 one-to-one meetings providing an impressive economic impact on the continent’s leisure travel, luxury tourism, and the MICE/business travel sector. All three events are subject to an independent ABC audit of statistics after the shows to ensure full transparency for the industry.

“More important than numbers is the impact that these events have had on those involved. The comments from exhibitors, and buyers have shown that Africa Travel Week and all three events are clearly a vital component to this continent’s travel industry and we go into 2015 with the support of the exhibitors and buyers for next year’s event”, says Sugen Pillay, Business Development Director, Thebe Reed Exhibitions.

Suppliers and buyers have praised the three events as an “excellent new opportunity for Africa’s business development, knowledge enhancement and exclusive networking” in the region but with global relevance.

ILTM Africa exhibitor, Matt Biden representing The Royal Portfolio, said the luxury travel show was better than expected. “We love the international aspect to the Hosted Buyer programme. It has even allowed us to put names to so many international faces and after all, being at ILTM Africa has now saved us on the costs of travel to go and see them!”

IBTM Africa Hosted Buyer Daniel Wood, President of the Freestyle Football Federation, United Kingdom, commented, “IBTM Africa has been a fantastic experience for me. We have an unconventional product but we got a lot out of the two days with very productive meetings. The IBTM Forum was informative with some really interesting speakers. It was great to be able to network and chat with local experienced practitioners who can really testify that this is a market that we should invest in for more events and incentives.”

WTM Africa exhibitor William Cook, of Cooks Tours says he is “amazed with the interest he has already seen in the show. My diary is absolutely fully booked and that has never happened before.”

The final event for the inaugural Africa Travel Week, World Travel Market (WTM) Africa, kicked off today, with over 350 exhibiting companies bringing the world to Africa and promoting Africa to the world’s leading source markets over two days.

The culmination of a joint partnership between global events giant Reed Travel Exhibitions and African events specialist Thebe Reed Exhibitions, Africa Travel Week is dedicated to delivering real business opportunities in a focused way over a period of a week, providing a key industry platform that offers all travel industry professionals the chance to engage in real value business conversations, meet new contacts, exchange ideas, share best practice and learn and network in a fresh new environment.

“This is the first time we have ever undertaken to bring all three of our global brands together in one country in one week. Such a powerful business proposition not only shows the travel industry the diversity of this country’s travel offering to the world’s leading source markets, but it gives Africa the opportunity to be a global player in the leisure, business and luxury tourism sectors. We want to thank the City of Cape Town, the CTICC and Wesgro for their partnership and support in launching all three shows. We believe this is a truly unique proposition and this week has already created some staggering business opportunities as well as giving Cape Town its own introduction to many who have not been here before,” said Sugen.

Dates for Africa Travel Week 2015 are:
· ILTM Africa: 13-15 April 2015

· IBTM Africa: 13 – 15 April 2015

· WTM Africa: 15 – 17 April 2015

To find out more about WTM Africa visit www.wtmafrica.com.