Redesigned Association Day at IMEX

Redesigned Association Day at IMEX puts emphasis on peer to peer education & networking across all levels of the profession

IMEX Association Day, the annual event exclusively for association professionals, will feature a new, extensively researched and redesigned programme when it takes place the day before the IMEX in Frankfurt exhibition in May. The IMEX team has collaborated with planners from across the globe to gather views and experiences before creating this new structure to meet audience requirements even more effectively. 

The restructured Association Day programme will feature a new Association Management Stream, covering topics such as understanding why members leave and how to persuade them to stay. There will also be two Meetings & Events Streams (A and B), addressing issues such as how to maximise member participation at events, and how to identify and approach new sponsors.
Each session is case study led with the emphasis on sharing best practice. Time for peer to peer discussion and networking is also factored into the day.

The Association Management Stream, hosted by ASAE, has been specifically designed for those in senior positions. Managing associations through turbulent times; developing an effective volunteer strategy; small association management and how to engage with future generations are among the topics to be discussed. Speakers include senior executives from the European Golf Course Owners Association and the Entomological Society of America who are set to share their knowledge of ‘membership engagement and retention strategies’.

Trends in meeting and design formats
Davi Kaur, head of the congress unit at the European Cancer Association, will deliver a session in Meetings & Events Stream A on ‘how to create a world class event’, with a case study covering all aspects from event format to attendee experience and legacy. This new Meetings & Event Stream, chaired by the ICCA, will cover how to develop effective partnerships with convention bureaus and trends in meeting formats and designs. Speakers include Juliane Leyva Gonzalez, Congress Manager, European College of Sport Science and Roy Palmer, Executive Director, Association of International Seafood Professionals. It ends with a roundtable discussion on dealing with international cultural issues.

Managing events with a small team
Meetings & Event Stream B features a case study presentation on ‘how to attract and retain more sponsors’ with speakers from the British Bankers’ Association and the International Diabetes Federation. Roger Simmons, regional sustainability director at MCI group is one of the confirmed speakers for ‘how can associations make their events more sustainable.’ This stream will also cover:  top tips for effective programme and content development, negotiating global hotel contracts and managing events with a small events team. Other speakers include Christine Gouillard, Head of Congress Account & Scientific Programmes at the European Society of Cardiology and Charlotte Balling, Event Manager at Danish Maritime Days.

Open to all levels of association professionals registered to attend IMEX as either hosted buyers or visitor buyers, Association Day offers a valuable opportunity for peer to peer education and networking, allowing participants to understand the successes and challenges faced by other associations.

Peter Reckling, from the Association of Social Work and Criminal Justice in Germany, who attended last year, says: “This is the one day each year when I can look outside of my job and at the world outside…..and the future.”

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “We wanted to ensure that we offer content that is a real benefit to association professionals at all levels of seniority and experience so we consulted more extensively than ever. The resulting programme is really strong and, as always, we have some excellent and highly motivated partners to thank for their expertise and contributions.”

The free afternoon of education, co-delivered by ICCA and ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership will be followed by the highly regarded networking reception, Association Evening hosted by Marriott Frankfurt.

For more information and to register visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/education/association-day/#Registration or contact Natasha Richards natasha.richards@imexexhibitions.com

IMEX in Frankfurt takes place at Messe Frankfurt from 16 – 18 May 2017.

#IMEX #IMEX17 #MICENews #EventNews

Valuable solutions to key question ‘How to Remain Relevant’ to be revealed at IMEX Association Day

Valuable solutions to key question ‘How to Remain Relevant’ to be revealed at IMEX Association Day

Association executives from 40 countries will be discovering and developing solutions to the vital industry question – ‘how to keep your association relevant’ – to potential and existing members at this year’s IMEX Association Day. This unique annual event is taking place on Monday 18 April 2016 at the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel. From the packed programme of discussions, presentations and networking they will gain valuable insights from peers and expert speakers about the ways that associations are tackling this issue, including demographic, financial and technological perspectives. For the first time this year, the Day will open with a keynote session. The engaging speaker will be Charles Leadbeater, a leading authority on innovation and creativity who advises major internationally known organisations such as the BBC, Vodafone, Microsoft and Ericsson. A number of the sessions have been designed and will be co-delivered by leading industry associations including ICCA  and ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership and the programme has been developed in conjunction with the International Association of Facilitators. After a networking lunch and the keynote speech, delegates will choose between four topics in each of the two afternoon sessions. The full day will conclude with relaxed drinks and dinner with invited industry guests at the popular Association Evening at the Marriott Hotel, Frankfurt. As a result of a new partnership between the Association Management Companies Institute (AMCI) and IMEX, AMCI will for the first time hold a co-located educational programme, ‘Association Management Companies – A Focused Look at Challenges & Solutions!’, on the morning of Association Day. The programme is aimed at existing AMCI members and potential members. Tina Wehmeir, CEO of the AMC Institute said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with IMEX to provide exclusive association management company-focused education on IMEX Association Day. We have assembled a powerful line-up of thought leaders to facilitate the transfer of knowledge based on years of experience working in the association management company industry.” More than 300 association professionals who have registered as either a Hosted Buyer or a Visitor for the IMEX trade show are expected to attend the day which is exclusively open to association executives. The event’s host sponsors are the Marriott Frankfurt and Starwood Hotels & Resorts and its supporting sponsors are Business Events Australia, Vienna Convention Bureau, Jerusalem Conventions & Visitors Bureau  and Your Singapore. Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group commented; “At Association Day 2015 we asked all participants during the opening plenary session “what is the biggest challenge associations face?” The resounding message was relevancy.Association Day 2016 is a unique opportunity for these dedicated professionals to come together with their peers and share experiences on such a vital subject. The comprehensive, highly collaborative programme will provide valuable answers to help them to tackle this major issue. “This new partnership with AMCI is an exciting initiative for IMEX and we are very happy that AMCI and many of its international members will be joining us in Frankfurt. I am sure that AMCI members will take away valuable new knowledge and benefit greatly from the experience, not only the superb speaker sessions arranged for the morning and Association Day but also from visiting the IMEX show itself, with its extensive range of suppliers, education and networking opportunities.”

 

Der IMEX Association Day beantwortet die Schlüsselfrage ‘wie kann mein Verband relevant bleiben?’ und präsentiert wertvolle Lösungsansätze

Der IMEX Association Day beantwortet die Schlüsselfrage ‘wie kann mein Verband relevant bleiben?’ und präsentiert wertvolle Lösungsansätze

Der diesjährige IMEX Verbändetag steht im Zeichen der Relevanz. Fach- und Führungskräfte bei Verbänden aus 40 Ländern werden gemeinsam Ideen erarbeiten und Wege entdecken, wie ein Verband für bestehende und potenzielle Mitglieder relevant und damit attraktiv bleiben kann. Diese einzigartige Veranstaltung findet am Montag, den 18. April 2016 im Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel statt. Das umfangreiche Programm voller Diskussionen, Netzwerkmöglichkeiten und Präsentationen gibt wertvolle Einblicke von Experten und Gleichgesinnten in die Art und Weise, wie Verbände mit diesem Thema in demografischer, finanzieller und technologischer Hinsicht umgehen. Dieses Jahr beginnt der Verbändetag erstmals mit einer Keynote Rede, präsentiert von Charles Leadbeater. Der anerkannte Experte für Innovation und Kreativität berät Konzerne und international führende Unternehmen wie BBC, Vodafone, Microsoft und Ericsson. Ein Teil der Aus- und Weiterbildungseinheiten wurde mit führenden Verbänden, darunter ICCA und ASAE, entwickelt und wird gemeinsam mit diesen durchgeführt. Das ‘Center for Association Leadership’ und das entsprechende Programm wurden gemeinsam mit der ‘International Association of Facilitators’ entwickelt. Nach einem Networking-Mittagessen und der Keynote Rede haben die Teilnehmer die Auswahl zwischen vier Fokusthemen in jeder der beiden Nachmittagseinheiten. Der abwechslungsreiche Tag klingt mit dem beliebten Association Evening im Marriott Hotel Frankfurt aus, zu dem auch ausgewählte geladene Gäste und Branchenvertreter geladen sind. Als Resultat der neuen Partnerschaft des ‘Association Management Companies Institute (AMCI)’ und der IMEX wird das AMCI erstmals mit der Einheit ‘Association Management Companies – A Focused Look at Challenges & Solutions!’ am Morgen des Verbändetags einen Teil des Programms mitgestalten. Das Programm richtet sich an bestehende und potenzielle AMCI Mitglieder. Tina Wehmeir, CEO des AMC Instituts bemerkt dazu: “Wir freuen uns sehr über die Möglichkeit, mit der IMEX zu kooperieren. So können wir ein exklusives Weiterbildungsprogramm, welches speziell auf die Bedürfnisse der ‘Association Management Companies’ zugeschnitten ist im Rahmen des Association Days anbieten. Wir haben führende Experten und Meinungsführer mit jahrelanger Erfahrung auf diesem Gebiet vereint, um den optimalen Wissenstransfer in diesem Spezialbereich zu garantieren.” Mehr als 300 Fach- und Führungskräfte aus Verbänden, die entweder als Hosted Buyer oder als Besucher der IMEX registriert sind, werden zu dieser außergewöhnlichen Veranstaltung erwartet, die exklusiv Verbändeplanern vorbehalten ist. Die Host-Sponsoren des Verbändetags sind das Marriott Frankfurt Hotel sowie die Starwood Hotels & Resorts, die weiteren Sponsoren sind Business Events Australia, das Vienna Convention Bureau, das Jerusalem Conventions & Visitors Bureau und Your Singapore. Carina Bauer, CEO der IMEX Gruppe erläutert: “Am Verbändetag 2015 haben wir alle Teilnehmer während der Eröffnungsveranstaltung befragt, welches für sie die größte Herausforderungen darstellt, mit denen sich Verbände auseinandersetzen müssen. Die meistgenannte Antwort war ‘Relevanz’. Der Association Day 2016 ist eine einmalige Möglichkeit für diese spezielle Zielgruppe, sich mit Gleichgesinnten zu treffen und ihre Erfahrungen mit einem solch entscheidenden Thema zu teilen. Das umfassende und partizipative Programm wird wertvolle Antworten liefern und den Teilnehmern helfen, diese Herausforderung zu bewältigen. „Die neue Partnerschaft mit dem AMCI ist ein spannendes Projekt für die IMEX und wir sind glücklich darüber, dass das AMCI und viele seiner internationalen Mitglieder bei uns in Frankfurt sein werden. Ich bin sicher, dass die Mitglieder des AMCI wertvolles Wissen mit nach Hause nehmen. Sie werden sowohl von den Sessions am Morgen, vom Verbändetag selbst und auch von der Messe IMEX mit ihrer ganzen Fülle an Aus- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten und ihrer Vielzahl an Leistungsträgern profitieren.”

AT IMEX AMERICA 2015

AT IMEX AMERICA

TODAY: Monday, October 12, 2015
AND TOMORROW: Tuesday, October 13, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS
Issued at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday, October 12

TODAY
Smart Monday, powered by MPI drew hundreds of participants to high class educational sessions on a diverse range of key topics delivered by MPI, IAPCO, ICCA, ASAE, HSMAI, DMAI, SITE, GBTA, GMIC, PCMA, IAEE and ECM. The feedback was terrific; people found value in the day.

Adrienne Tooley, Meeting & Event Manager, Koncept Events, said, “When you’ve been in the industry a few years, you want something new and more advanced. Smart Monday and IMEX offer very high caliber, high-level speakers that are in strong touch with what’s happening in the industry.”

“To have a whole day before the show to come in early and get education here at Smart Monday is great,” said Lanie Collins, Marketing Association & Event Manager at Nicola Wealth Management. “Since I‘m the only one in my company who does meetings, it is terrific to be surrounded by and talk to other people who just ‘get it’, and I also get credit for what I am learning towards my CMP.”

The first MPI morning keynote session of the week, which was sponsored by New Orleans CVB/New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, was presented by Lee Papa on “How to Live and Lead Mindfully.”

The second PCMA Business School at IMEX America, sponsored by Synchronicities, was presented and led by Bob Kulhan, a professor at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. It revealed how to leverage improv techniques in the office.

Gabriela Marquez, BCD Travel M&I, Mexico, “This session has really encouraged me to break from my comfort zone and prompted fresh thinking. It was also a fun way to network and the interactive nature of it helped to break the ice with fellow participants. I’ve learned to really listen, not to judge, and to take risks.”

Association Focus, the exclusive event presented by ASAE and ICCA and attended by around 180 association executives, provided a broad range of valuable tailored education and peer networking opportunities. This will be followed by Association Evening, sponsored by SLS Las Vegas, at the stunning Foxtail Nightclub where invited exhibitors will join the delegates.

Thelma da Sousa of the Pacific Coast Oto Ophthalmological Society said, “This is the third year I’ve been here because there is so much you can learn. The content and range of the sessions is superb. There are so many that I want to go to that I wish there was more time.”

1,200 buyers and suppliers are going to Site Nite North America at the new Omnia nightclub, Caesars Palace.

TOMORROW
New exhibitors: There will be more than 80 new booths with exhibitors from all corners of the world, including Guam and Taiwan from Asia, Hungary and Zagreb from Europe, Paraguay and Ecuador from Latin America, plus Cincinnati, Oklahoma and Wisconsin from the U.S., to name just a few.

New education features: Magician Tim David will be the MPI keynote speaker. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, he will explore the “Human Connection – A Lost Art in a Noisy World.”

The new Play Room, sponsored by Play with a Purpose, will provide short, hands-on “quirkshops” around creativity, a theme incorporated throughout the program.

A new resource on the show floor, TECHnexus, will provide buyers with hands-on experience of the latest technologies and is available every day in the tech area.

The #IMEXpitch Event Technology Startup competition will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the Inspiration Hub. A short list of five companies will pitch their ideas to industry experts.

Meditation Room: New for this year, this device-free area hosts regular sessions on yoga, mindfulness and meditation as well as provides quiet spot to recharge.

Press Conferences: There is a packed program of press conferences taking place at the Press Center and covering a wide range of destinations, venues and initiatives.

PRESS CENTER – sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The onsite Press Center is located on Level 1 – Casanova Room 501 – The Venetian® | The Palazzo® Congress Center.

It offers: free Wifi, laptops and work stations, latest news from the show, its exhibitors and partners, mobile phone charging point, complimentary refreshments.

You can reach the PR team during the show at the Press Center or on the following numbers:
Press Center Onsite – (702) 691-8608
Emma Ward – (214) 883-7586
Jen McNeil – (214) 587-3819
Chris Lewis – (469) 404-6690

Useful weblinks
Latest IMEX & Exhibitor news releases – www.imexamerica.com/press/news-releases/
Press images – www.imexamerica.com/press/images-audio-video/
At a glance schedule www.imexamerica.com/events/at-a-glance/schedule/

Association Focus & Evening offer superb education

Association Focus & Evening offer superb education and networking opportunities at IMEX America 2015

Increasing revenues, designing better meetings and using mobile technologies in meetings are among the engaging subjects to be explored at Association Focus, a key part of IMEX America’s Smart Monday education program on 12 October 2015 in Las Vegas.

This special educational event, designed by IMEX together with ASAE and ICCA, is packed with fascinating discussions and insightful presentations led by an inspiring group of engaging speakers including industry professionals and independent specialists.

Taking place at the Venetian®| The Palazzo® Congress Center, the free event is exclusively for association executives. More than 180 association professionals from over 15 countries are expected to attend.

The day will be packed with motivating sessions where delegates can boost their knowledge and gather valuable insights and advice from peers and experts that will be helpful both in running associations as well as their events. The event also offers superb opportunities for association executives to network with peers and experts from across the globe.

After a networking lunch, delegates will first have a choice of three tracks. The ICCA session is ‘What’s Your Story?’ Led by Betsy Bair of Penton Media, Lisa Astorga, CMP of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis and Martin Sirk, CEO of ICCA, it starts from the premise that every association meeting is a chance to tell a great story – so how can associations make the most of these stories and opportunities?

At the same time, Willis Turner, CEO of Sales & Marketing Executives International Inc and Shelly Alcorn, Principal of Alcorn Associates will explore the potential role and opportunities to use gaming to increase loyalty and engagement.

Dedicated Executive Track
The dedicated ASAE Executive Track will open with ‘The Journey to Great Governance’, presented by Susan Robertson, CAE, Executive Vice President, ASAE, highlighting best practice in how non-profit boards of directors can fulfil their roles in living up to public and stakeholder expectations. This will be followed by Amy Hissrich, VP Web Strategies & Communications at ASAE explaining how mobile technologies can be used to maximise results from meetings.

Meanwhile delegates can also choose to learn about increasing non-due revenues in international markets from Faris Abouhamad of the International Advertising Association and Steen Jakobsen of Dubai Business Events. Alternatively, they can hear from John Folks and Katie Callahan-Giobbi of Mindingyourbusiness on measuring the attendee experience – and how different approaches can help to design a better meeting.

A packed day of education will be followed by a superb social event – Association Evening – which will feature Cocktails and Canapés at the stunning ‘indoor-outdoor’ Foxtail Nightclub, SLS Las Vegas; a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and invited exhibitors in a relaxed environment.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group says: “Association Focus is a unique event in North America – bringing together association executives from around the US and the world to network and learn with each other in a private environment. We work hard with the market to ensure that the education sessions are highly relevant and delivered by first class educators. The Association Evening is a great culmination to the day and we are excited this year to be at a beautiful new poolside venue – it promises to be spectacular.”

For more details about IMEX America’s Association Focus and Evening and to register http://www.imexamerica.com/events/education/association-focus/

Please click here to download the Association Focus & Evening Brochure and to apply.

To attend Association Focus, delegates must first be registered as either a Hosted Buyer or a Visitor for the IMEX America trade show taking place on 13 – 15th October at Sands Expo® and The Venetian®| The Palazzo® Las Vegas. The Association Evening is also open to exhibitors who are members of one of the supporting industry associations – ICCA, ASAE, AIPC, IAEE, IACC, DMAI, PCMA, IAPCO. More information on the evening can be found at: http://www.imexamerica.com/events/networking-events/association-evening/

The education providers for Association Focus are ASAE and ICCA. SLS Las Vegas is the evening host sponsor.

Packed education programme set to drive Association Day at IMEX in Frankfurt 2015

Packed education programme set to drive Association Day at IMEX in Frankfurt 2015

Frankfurt, 16th February 2015 – Working with millennials, managing an association during a crisis, and how to best use data are just some of the key topics to be explored at this year’s IMEX Association Day on Monday 18 May 2015.

Taking place at Kap Europe, Messe Frankfurt’s impressive new conference centre, the free event is exclusively for association executives.  More than 300 association professionals from 40 countries are expected to attend.

It is a day packed with insightful educational talks by peers and experts offering valuable advice on both the running of associations as well as association events. It also offers superb opportunities to network with peers and experts from across the globe.

The dedicated programme provides delegates with a range of educational sessions – including a dedicated Executive track, plus sessions that relate to association operations, marketing, meetings and more. A number of sessions have been designed and will be co-delivered by some of the industry’s leading industry associations including ICCA, PCMA and ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership. This year’s event will feature a brand new programme with interactive learning formats and professional facilitation, developed in conjunction with the International Association of Facilitators.

The inspiring afternoon sessions will be followed by an hour of small group hot topic discussions led by expert facilitators before everyone departs for Association Evening. IMEX exhibitors and association partners join delegates for this ever-popular networking reception at the Marriott Hotel.

Alexander Klein from the International Stereoscopic Union in Germany, one of last year’s delegates, explains:

“The sessions I attended certainly planted a few ideas in my mind and gave me some useful tips on how I might change the set-up of our events. The sessions provide real food for thought and have prompted me to try something different. That’s what IMEX is all about, isn’t it? Inspiration!

“It’s also nice to catch up with a few familiar faces and enjoy some valuable networking.”

For more details about IMEX Association Day and Evening and to register visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/associationdayregistration. Association Day & Evening delegates must be registered as either a Hosted Buyer or a Visitor for the IMEX trade show.

 

 

Der IMEX Association Day 2015

Der IMEX Association Day 2015
IMEX Gruppe gibt umfangreiches Weiterbildungs-Programm bekannt

Frankfurt, den 16. Februar 2015 “Herausforderungen in der Zusammenarbeit mit der Generation Y”, “Krisenmanagement in der Verbandsarbeit – wie, wann, was?” und “Datenverarbeitung im Zeitalter von Big Data und Datensicherheitsmanagement” – dies sind nur einige der Themen, die im Rahmen des Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogrammes auf dem diesjährigen IMEX Verbändetag am Montag, den 18. Mai 2015, beleuchtet werden.
Diese kostenfreie Expertenveranstaltung findet dieses Jahr erstmals im “Kap Europe” – dem eindrucksvollen Konferenzcenter der Messe Frankfurt – statt und ist exklusiv Führungskräften und Eventplanern von Verbänden vorbehalten. Es werden über 300 Teilnehmer aus 40 Ländern erwartet.
Die Teilnehmer dürfen sich auf einen Tag voller Expertenwissen und Networkingmöglichkeiten mit internationalen Kollegen freuen. Das Weiterbildungsprogramm beinhaltet einen speziellen “Executive Track” sowie Vorträge und Seminare zum Marketing, dem operative Management und der Veranstaltungsplanung von Verbänden.
Einige der Fortbildungseinheiten wurden gemeinsam mit führenden Branchenverbänden wie “ICCA”, “PCMA” und “ASAE” (The Center for Association Leadership) entwickelt.
Der “Association Day” präsentiert in diesem Jahr ein komplett neues Programm mit interaktiven Lernformaten, das von der “International Association of Facilitators” mit entwickelt wurde.
Auf die inspirierenden Nachmittags-Sessions folgt eine Stunde voller intensiver themenspezifischer Diskussionen, die von Branchenexperten moderiert und begleitet werden.
Den Tag beendet der beliebte “Associaton Evening” im Marriott Hotel – ein beliebtes weiteres Highlight, an dem auch ausgewählte Aussteller und Kooperationspartner teilnehmen.
Alexander Klein von der “International Stereoscopic Union” in Deutschland erläutert: “Die Seminare und Workshops haben mir wertvolle Ideen und auch ganz praktische Tipps vermittelt, wie wir unsere Veranstaltungen noch optimieren und auch einmal ganz neue Wege ausprobieren können. Die Anregungen, die ich erhalten habe werde ich gleich in die Praxis umsetzen. Außerdem trifft man hier immer vertraute Gesichter. Das ist perfektes Networking auf einem außergewöhnlichen Event. Absolut inspirierend.”

Weitere Details über den “IMEX Association Day” und Abend und die Möglichkeit zur Registrierung:
visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/associationdayregistration. Die Teilnahme an dieser Veranstaltung setzt die Registrierung als Hosted Buyer oder als Besucher der IMEX voraus.

 

IMEX America | Protection, promotion or policy-making?

Protection, promotion or policy-making?
U.S. Travel Association’s Roger Dow, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, and Rossi Ralenkotter of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to Speak at First Ever IMEX America Political Advocacy Forum

Continuing its efforts to raise the political bar of the meetings industry and build broader awareness of its strong role in creating jobs and economic growth, the U.S. Travel Association will host a session at IMEX America 2012 October 9th, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

Lead speakers will feature Roger Dow, CEO of U.S. Travel, Rossi Ralenkotter President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Chair of U.S. Travel, together with Las Vegas Mayor, Carolyn Goodman.

Heading the panel discussion, Geoff Freeman of U.S. Travel will speak about the meetings and business travel industry as a critical asset to the nation and provide an update on the success of recent political advocacy efforts. He comes to this issue as a well-versed member of the Washington DC community having been a key driver behind the “U.S. Travel Meetings Mean Business” campaign and the Travel Promotion Act. He was also recently made a member of the Passenger Advocacy subcommittee of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) of the Department of Homeland Security.

Ralenkotter, as both Chair of U.S. Travel and President of the LVCVA, will provide an inside look into how Las Vegas excels at hosting more than 19,000 meetings annually – an industry that makes a $6.3 billion impact on the local economy and supports 58,000 jobs.

Adding even more leadership power to the session, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman – a champion for tourism as the “lifeblood” of the Southern Nevada economy – will also address attendees. Her remarks will focus on efforts to keep Las Vegas on the cutting edge of the travel and tourism industry, and the evolution of Las Vegas as a destination already offering 150,000 hotel rooms and 10.6 million square feet of meeting space.

“IMEX’s recent “Power of 10” global study showed that one of the most pressing challenges for our industry in the next decade is to measure and effectively communicate the strategic and economic value of events and meetings to local, national and global economies,” said Ray Bloom Chairman of the IMEX Group.

He continued: “This new political advocacy session will provide an update on how far the industry has come in making sure that this true value is fully understood, especially in the US. It builds on the efforts we have made over the past 10 years with the Politicians Forum in Frankfurt, but will also offer a distinctly North American perspective. Everyone involved understands that we must keep acting, keep talking, and keep working in unison to achieve meaningful and positive change by policy-makers. IMEX America is proud to play its part in helping to drive this effort and in providing a global platform for the continuing debate.”

“Building a Stronger Meetings Industry – in Washington and your Community” will take place from
4pm – 5.30pm on Tuesday Oct. 09 at IMEX America. It will be open to all IMEX America attendees and exhibitors and will include several US destination CEOs who will also contribute their views and experience.

About IMEX America
IMEX America is America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events and is already the largest trade show for the industry in the USA. The second edition will take place at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas, (which is connected to the show’s Headquarters Hotel, The Venetian®|The Palazzo®), Oct 9 – 11, 2012.

The show’s strategic partner and premier educational provider is MPI, who power “Smart Monday” – Oct. 08 – a full day of education on the day prior to the tradeshow. Smart Monday also includes a range of high level education delivered by other partners and associations; including Association Focus – a conference within a conference for association meeting planners – delivered by ASAE, ICCA and PCMA.

IMEX also has an exclusive partnership with the US Travel Association and is endorsed by DMAI and Site, has an Industry Partnership with PCMA and is an ICCA Business Partner. Other supporting associations include: ACTE Global, ADME, AIPC, AMCI, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, Association Forum of Chicagoland, CIC, CSAE, ECM, FICP, GMIC, IACC, IAEE, IAPCO, ISES, JMIC, PATA, SKAL, Spin. A list of industry and media partners can be found here.

Follow us on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn and (German) XING Use #imex12 to follow both shows. http://www.imexamerica.com/social.html

Final program announced for IMEX America’s 2012 Association Focus

Final program announced for IMEX America’s 2012 Association Focus

Conference within a conference’ promises to put association planners ahead of the rest with new market-leading professional development education.
With a full day of professional development lined-up plus business leadership expert and author, Mark Sanborn, confirmed as keynote speaker, IMEX America’s Association Focus event will make a high-powered start to the award-winning Las Vegas trade show this October.

The ‘conference within a conference’, sponsored by host venue The Venetian®|The Palazzo® and Sands Meetings, will take place as part of IMEX America’s ‘Smart Monday – Powered by MPI’ – on Monday Oct. O8 – the day before the three-day trade show gets underway. This event is unique in being exclusive to association planners only. Keynote speaker, Mark Sanborn, is a member of the prestigious Speakers Roundtable, a society comprising 20 of the top speakers in the world today. Aside from the quality of the free Association Focus event, Sanborn’s presence is already proving a strong attraction.

This year organizers, the IMEX Group, have worked with ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, ICCA and PCMA to provide an extensive learning program for association executives keen to improve their professional skills and knowledge. The new education program is provided free of charge and has been designed with tracks tailored to suit different levels of seniority and career development including a choice of ‘executive’, ‘global’ and ‘meetings’ track sessions throughout the day, each with content devised and delivered by one of the three partner associations.

Senior panels
For meeting planners looking to place association business internationally, the global track will offer ICCA-led sessions on “Entering new markets” and “Planning Global Meetings with a Focus on Asia.” At the executive-level, ASAE will run a three-hour deep-dive on “Managing Through Change”. The senior panel will comprise Robin Lokerman, CEO-Institutional Division, MCI Group; Peter O’Neil, CAE, Executive Director, American Industrial Hygiene Association; Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, Vice President, AIM Group International and Robert Waller, CAE, President, Association Headquarters, Inc and will be moderated by Brian Riggs, Vice President, Association Headquarters Inc.

Within the meetings track, PCMA have devised two 1.5 hour afternoon sessions – “The science and fun of creating effective learning”, which will be led by Kathleen Edwards, CAE and President of The Learning Evangelist and “Meetings Go Mobile” with Bob Vaez of EventMobi. ASAE’s afternoon sessions include a “Sustainability Safari” with a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at how the Venetian® manages its sustainability program to support green meetings and events. There will also be a session by Tammy Blosil, Vice President, Online Learning for ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership on “The Strategic Impact of Digital Events on Meetings.”

Expert-led round tables
Later in the afternoon Association Focus will offer delegates a choice of over 20 different round-table discussions across all three tracks.

Come 7pm all Association Focus buyers have the chance to attend the Association Evening reception sponsored by Sands Meetings to meet and network with exhibitors and association partners.

As Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group explains: “Following our debut event we took on board a lot of feedback from the US market – Association Focus is just one of the building blocks of IMEX America that has been redeveloped since last year to improve and enhance the show. We are really excited to be welcoming around 200 association executives to Las Vegas for this event come October 08 and are especially grateful to our sponsors – The Venetian®| The Palazzo® and Sands Meetings for making this possible.”

Registration for the IMEX America Association Focus on Smart Monday Oct.08 is now open. Participants are invited to attend either as part of the show’s hosted buyer program (subject to qualifying criteria) or as a buyer attendee.
http://www.imexamerica.com/associationfocus.html#HowToAttend

About IMEX America
IMEX America is America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events and is already the largest trade show for the industry in the USA. The second edition will take place at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas, (which is connected to the show’s Headquarters Hotel, The Venetian®|The Palazzo®), Oct 9 – 11, 2012.

The show’s strategic partner and premier educational provider is MPI, who power “Smart Monday” – Oct. 08 – a full day of education on the day prior to the tradeshow. Smart Monday also includes a range of high level education delivered by other partners and associations; including Association Focus – a conference within a conference for association meeting planners – delivered by ASAE, ICCA and PCMA.

IMEX also has an exclusive partnership with the US Travel Association and is endorsed by DMAI and Site, has an Industry Partnership with PCMA and is an ICCA Business Partner. Other supporting associations include: ACTE Global, ADME, AIPC, AMCI, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, Association Forum of Chicagoland, CIC, CSAE, ECM, FICP, GMIC, IACC, IAEE, IAPCO, ISES, JMIC, PATA, SKAL, Spin. A list of industry and media partners can be found here.

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