New Waste Watchers initiative will slim down waste and increase recycling at IMEX in Frankfurt

New Waste Watchers initiative will slim down waste and increase recycling at IMEX in Frankfurt

IMEX supports Earth Day 2017
IMEX in Frankfurt is introducing several major new sustainability initiatives this year as it continues to innovate and encourage the industry to unite and contribute to greater environmental awareness and social responsibility.

Speaking just before Earth Day 2017 (22 April), Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group said: “Our approach to sustainability is both to lead by example and to shine a spotlight on key industry campaigns, for example, through our sponsorship of Positive Impact’s campaign to tell the story of the power of events during the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017.

“We’re committed to supporting their target of 2 million shares of the hashtag #shareapositiveimpact, for instance. That means both before and during the show we’ll be inviting everyone to share photos or examples of good sustainable ideas, either in their home communities, on their travels or once they get to Frankfurt. We’re also championing the UNWTO’s call for Ambassadors. They need event pros who are prepared to step up, speak out and advocate sustainable events.

“In practice, we continually seek to develop innovative systems to reduce the ecological impact of our own use of resources and materials. We also encourage and make it easier for exhibitors and buyers to contribute in their own way. We work closely with our partners including GMIC, Messe Frankfurt, Meet Green and The Venetian®| The Palazzo® and the Sands Expo® in Las Vegas, to achieve this. It’s a lot of work, for them and for us, but we care and we believe it’s worth it.”

Waste Watchers – a new call to reuse and recycle
A key new initiative at IMEX in Frankfurt (16- 18 May) will be Waste Watchers. Partnering with local non- government organisation ShoutOutLoud, the IMEX team has set up this programme to reduce waste by providing opportunities for everyone to re-use and recycle an extensive range of materials. Leftover food, furniture, stand graphics, flowers and stationery that would usually go to waste can be donated daily and will be distributed to those who need them with the help of a local food network and a refugee support group.

Saving trees, reducing paper
This year IMEX in Frankfurt is saving 2.7 tons of paper by not producing a printed Show Catalogue. Hosted buyers and visitor buyers will be able to find out full information about exhibitors and the vast range of education sessions available from a new Show Planner, by downloading and using the Show App and via the show website.

Printing badges on paper rather than card will further reduce the show’s environmental footprint, as will the use of hydroelectricity across the whole show. These innovations are additional to the many sustainability best practices and legacy initiatives which have become established at IMEX in Frankfurt over the years. Full details can be found here.

Learning from sustainability experts
IMEX also provides many opportunities for everyone to learn more about sustainability. Among the many sessions on offer will be: Global Destinations Sustainability Index: Driving Performance and Competitiveness, by Guy Bigwood of MCI. He’ll explain his company’s partnership with ICCA and how the Global Destinations Sustainability Index helps drive sustainable practices.

Founder of Positive Impact, Fiona Pelham, whose company has created a “bold year-long campaign” for 2017 will also talk about ‘The Power of Events in the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism’.

New IMEX GMIC Innovation in Sustainability Award
Also new this year is a new IMEX-GMIC Green Award – the Innovation in Sustainability Award. This is designed to highlight inspiring event professionals who are driving sustainability forwards through innovation, collaboration and idea sharing. It will be presented to the winner at the Gala Dinner at IMEX in Frankfurt.
Campaigns to reduce waste and encourage sustainability are also implemented at IMEX America and at the IMEX Group offices where in 2016 recycling saved the equivalent of 34 trees and 5,790kg of CO2.

The greening of IMEX America
At IMEX America 2016, the clear measure of the show’s continuing progress in sustainability was its APEX/ASTM score which increased for the 5th consecutive year to 90 per cent of level 1 standards. Decreasing paper use saved the equivalent of 13 trees, energy use per participant was down by 13 per cent and there was an 18 per cent decrease in total carbon emissions.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group comments: “IMEX has always been committed to supporting sustainable and socially responsible practices within the meetings industry, hence measuring our performance against the APEX/ASTM scores, which are tough! We will continue to provide education and awareness to suppliers and buyers within the industry to support the ongoing development of best practice. And we’ll keep on asking more of our partners and suppliers. This really is a game that you win by working together. And it’s one of the reasons why our new IMEX Group strapline is: We Are All Connected.”

Two rising stars at IMEX are continuing the CSR conversation as part of #CSRshareDay, a global Twitter campaign taking place today. @IMEXMilda and @IMEXrog are sustainability champions within IMEX. Join them at 14.00 GMT as part of a live discussion on sustainability.

#IMEX17

Die IMEX ist nachhaltig – machen Sie mit!

Die IMEX ist nachhaltig – machen Sie mit!

Bewerbungen für die „IMEX-GMIC Green Awards 2016“ sind ab sofort möglich

Die IMEX unterstützt einmal mehr nachhaltiges Engagement von Akteuren der internationalen MICE-Branche (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events). Organisationen und Unternehmen, die außergewöhnliche ökologisch und sozial wertvolle Programme, Veranstaltungen oder CSR-Projekte (Corporate Social Responsibility) durchgeführt haben, können sich ab sofort für die „IMEX-GMIC Green Awards 2016“ bewerben. Die Sieger dieses beliebten Wettbewerbs, der gemeinsam mit dem „Green Meetings Industry Council“ (GMIC) veranstaltet wird, dürfen sich auf eine prestigeträchtige Preisverleihung im Rahmen des IMEX Gala Dinners am 20. April 2016 in Frankfurt freuen.

Der Wettbewerb belohnt außergewöhnliche Konzepte und Ideen der nachhaltigen Veranstaltungsplanung. Einreichungen sind in den folgenden Kategorien möglich:

• Green Meeting Award („large“ und „small“) – für ökologisch verträgliche und herausragende „grüne“ Veranstaltungskonzepte. Diese Kategorie unterscheidet kleine Veranstaltungen (bis 200 Teilnehmer) und große Veranstaltungen (ab 200 Teilnehmer)

• Green Supplier – für MICE-Anbieter, die innovatives ökologisches Engagement mit nachweisbaren Ergebnissen verbinden können

• Commitment to the Community Award – für außergewöhnliche Nachhaltigkeits- und CSR-Programme, die Wohltätigkeitsprojekte und -organisationen unterstützen

Bewerber werden gebeten, ausführliche Informationen zu ihren Projekten vor allem hinsichtlich der sozialen und ökologischen Auswirkungen und der ökonomischen Indikatoren einzureichen. Bewertet werden neben dem nachhaltigen ökologischen und sozialen Nutzen auch die Kreativität, der „Leadership-Gedanke“ und die Innovationskraft der Konzepte.

Bisherige Gewinner waren u.a. das belgische Unternehmen Destination Unlimited, das den „Commitment to the Community Award“ für eine „grüne“ Incentivereise in Kooperation mit einer norwegischen Inselgemeinde gewonnen hat. Bewerber können Ihre Konzepte und Projekte über die IMEX Website unter folgendem Link einreichen, auf der auch weiterführende Informationen zu finden sind: http://www.imexexhibitions.com/awards/imex-awards-programme/green-awards

Umweltverträgliches Wirtschaften in der Veranstaltungsbranche ist seit Bestehen der IMEX fest in der Unternehmensstrategie verankert und wirkt sowohl strategisch wie auch operativ durch viele messebegleitende Formate, Projekte und Maßnahmen. So führt die IMEX Gruppe jährlich sowohl während der IMEX in Frankfurt, auf der IMEX America in Las Vegas und auch am Standort der IMEX im britischen Brighton eine Reihe von CSR- und Fundraising-Aktivitäten durch. Allein im Jahr 2015 wurden so insgesamt 10.000 US-Dollar gesammelt und an regionale Wohltätigkeitsorganisationen in Frankfurt und Las Vegas ausbezahlt.

Zusätzlich wurden auf der IMEX America 2015 2.000 Hygiene-Sets angefertigt, die anschließend durch die karitative Partner-Organisation der IMEX „Clean the World“ an Bedürftige gespendet wurden. Nach dem großen Erfolg dieses CSR-Projektes wird dieses nun erstmals auch im nächsten Jahr auf der IMEX in Frankfurt durchgeführt.

Carina Bauer, CEO der IMEX Gruppe, erklärt: “Unsere Branche steht in der Verantwortung, Wege zu finden, wie die Ziele der UN-Klimakonferenz 2015 in Paris erreicht werden können. Bewirken können wir dies, indem wir die ökologischen Auswirkungen aller unserer Veranstaltungen reduzieren. Unser IMEX Green Awards Programm zeichnet herausragende und nachahmenswerte Veranstaltungen und Anbieter aus, die einerseits ihre geschäftlichen Ziele erreichen und gleichzeitig ökologische und soziale Aspekte berücksichtigen. Unsere Branche kann und sollte auch eine große Rolle dabei spielen, diese positiven Entwicklungen mit zu gestalten und wir als IMEX freuen uns, unseren Beitrag hierfür leisten zu können.“

Go green at IMEX

Go green at IMEX
Submissions now open for IMEX-GMIC Green Awards 2016

Organisations across the globe can celebrate their green activities at the IMEX-GMIC Green Awards. Applications are now open for the prestigious awards which recognise outstanding achievement in green meetings planning, sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Jointly run by IMEX and the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), these awards are presented at the prestigious IMEX Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony on 20 April 2016 in Frankfurt.

The awards span three categories covering key aspects of the green meetings sector: Green Meeting Award, Green Supplier and Commitment to the Community Award. Applicants are required to submit information on their environmental and social business practices taking into consideration environmental impact, economic indicators, leadership and innovation.

Environmental awareness among meeting organisers is recognised by the Green Meeting Award (large and small meetings), which judges a specific event based on a planner’s efforts to prevent and reduce environmental impact. The Green Supplier Award recognises a meeting supplier that has made innovative efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Finally, the Commitment to the Community Award honours those who have demonstrated innovative efforts to benefit a charitable initiative.

Previous winners include Destination Unlimited, Authenticore and Delta Lloyd who together scooped the Commitment to the Community Award in recognition of their eco-incentive trip working with an island community in Norway. Visit the IMEX website for further information and details of how to enter the awards.

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility is hugely important to the IMEX Group who also run their own programmes in Frankfurt (Germany), Las Vegas (USA) and Brighton (UK) – where the company is based. In 2015 alone, over US $10,000 was raised for IMEX’s nominated charities in each city through the tradeshows. In addition, at IMEX America 2015 2,000 hygiene were made and donated through a partnership with Clean the World, which will extend to IMEX in Frankfurt for the first time in 2016.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, comments: “As an industry it’s important that we demonstrate how we can support the goals of the recently held COP 21 Conference in Paris, by reducing the environmental impacts of the meetings and events that we run. Through the IMEX Green Awards programme we are able to shine a light on the ‘best in class’ events and suppliers that fulfil their business objectives at the same time as supporting the environment and communities in which they take place. Our industry can and should play a huge role in driving forward this positive agenda and IMEX is pleased to play its part.”

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/

Be the best – be green

Be the best – be green

Submissions now open for IMEX-GMIC Green Awards

Applications are open for the prestigious IMEX-GMIC Green Awards 2015 honouring outstanding environmental and social initiatives. Jointly run by IMEX and the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) and now in their 13th year, these awards recognise outstanding achievement in green meetings planning, sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The deadline to apply for the IMEX-GMIC Green Awards is 1 March 2015.

The awards span four categories covering key aspects of the green meetings sector: Green Meeting Award (small), Green Meeting Award (large), Green Supplier and Commitment to the Community Award.

Environmental awareness among meeting organisers is recognised by the Green Meeting Award, which judges a specific event based on a planner’s efforts to prevent and reduce environmental impact. The Green Supplier Award recognises a meeting supplier that has made innovative efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Finally, the Commitment to the Community Award honours those who have demonstrated innovative efforts to benefit a charitable initiative.

Nominations for the IMEX-GMIC Green Awards are judged by a panel of international industry experts and awards will be presented at the prestigious IMEX Gala Dinner (20 May) taking place at the Frankfurt Alte Oper, during IMEX in Frankfurt (19 – 21 May 2015).

See www.imex-frankfurt.com/about-us/imex-awards-programme/green-awards for further details and to view case studies of previous winners.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, comments: “The IMEX-GMIC Green Awards have been developed to recognise organisations within the industry that are excelling in their efforts to minimise their environmental and social impacts.

“As companies and planners alike seek out ways to give back to the local communities and destinations where they gather, these programme elements become ever more important to the overall impact of the event. We are proud to support and recognise such meetings and events that have a positive impact that goes beyond the meeting room.”

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.

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

IMEX America

IMEX America | IMEX America wins Best International Launch Award
Organizers of worldwide meetings, incentive travel and events trade show, IMEX America, came away from the Exhibition News Awards in London last Thursday proud winners of the Best International Launch Award.

Explaining why IMEX America triumphed over some stiff competition, the judging panel summarized their decision as: “IMEX America ‘nailed it’ as a show concept. It was a clear winner in terms of development of the brand and its success with its chosen industry – as well as against its competitors.”

Judges declared this year’s competition “incredibly tough” and said “competition across our 20 categories this year, including 10 company and 10 people awards, reflected the diversity and significant achievements made in the past year.”  The judging panel comprised organizers, venue and supplier representatives.

The Awards, which are run annually by Mash Media, publishers of magazines and directories for the event, exhibition, meetings and conference sectors, saw 850 guests gathered for dinner and presentations in the newly renovated West Hall at London’s Olympia.

The Best International Launch category was new for 2012 and intended to recognize the achievement of one UK-based organizer who successfully launched an existing brand or new product in a market outside of the UK.

IMEX America debuted on October 11, 2011, at the Venetian Palazzo/Sands Expo in Las Vegas. It combined a three day trade show with one day dedicated to professional education – Smart Monday – immediately prior to opening. An exit survey of IMEX America hosted buyers revealed that total orders placed onsite amounted to $281 million with an expected $1.9 billion worth of orders to be placed with exhibitors in the nine months that followed.

Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group said, “We are honored to have been voted as the Best International Launch Exhibition at the Exhibition News Awards. We would like to thank our industry colleagues from across the world for helping to ensure that our inaugural show was so successful. We are looking forward to building on this success for 2012 and beyond.”

The other finalists in the Best International Launch Award category were: Aidex – Centaur Exhibitions; Grand Designs Live Australia – Media 10 and Diversified Exhibitions Australia; IFSEC Arabia and OSH Expo Arabia – UBM; IFSEC West Africa – UBM Montgomery and Occupational Safety and Health Expo Africa – UBM Montgomery.

Editor’s notes:
http://www.imexamerica.com/editorsnotes.html

Links for this story:
http://www.mashmedia.net/events.html

Photos:
http://www.exhibitionnews.co.uk/gallery.php?id=179&url=the-exhibition-news-awards-2012The

About IMEX America
IMEX America is the new trade show for the worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel industry. 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, whose Meet Different Day of Education and Innovation takes place on “Smart Monday”, the day before the trade show opens.

IMEX also has an exclusive partnership with the US Travel Association, the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $704 billion US travel industry; is endorsed by DMAI and Site and has an Industry Partnership with PCMA. Other supporting associations include: ACTE Global, ADME, AIPC, AMCI, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, Association Forum of Chicagoland, CIC, CSAE, ECM, FICP, GMIC, IAEE, IAPCO, ICCA, ISES, JMIC, PATA, SKAL, Spin. A list of industry and media partners can be found here.

www.imexamerica.com