IMEX Group supports Global Meetings Industry Day

IMEX Group supports Global Meetings Industry Day before its own global industry gathering

The IMEX Group is not only pledging its support for the first Global Meetings Industry Day on Thursday 14 April, its team has contributed to the Day’s anthem.

Global Meetings Industry Day (#GMID) is an initiative that follows the success in 2015 of North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID). This expansion is the idea of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition who will again join forces with the Convention Industry Council (CIC) and other industry partners to host advocacy events and rallies, and champion the value of the meetings and events industry.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group commented: “Global Meetings Industry Day is a great innovation and we are delighted to support it wholeheartedly. In fact some of our team played a small part in the online song writing process as one of the many groups around the world who contributed to Song Division’s Global Meetings Industry Day Anthem.”

Global Meetings Industry Day is only five days before IMEX in Frankfurt (19 – 21 April) where the global meetings industry will be coming together from across the world. Alongside the trade show is the annual IMEX Politicians Forum which will, like Global Meetings Industry Day, highlight the valuable, wide-ranging contribution that the meetings and events industry makes to national and regional economies. Politicians and policy makers from across the globe will be there to share best practice and discuss with industry leaders how destinations are preparing for the challenges over the coming years.

Carina Bauer adds: “The politicians will also hear about Global Meetings Industry Day at our Opening Ceremony from David DuBois, our keynote speaker, who, as Immediate Past Chair of the Convention Industry Council and President & CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), has played a key role in the initiative.”

The GMID YouTube video can be seen and heard at https://youtu.be/E0SsinIdN9U

Many industry association partners of the IMEX Group are arranging events to support the Day. They are listed athttp://meetingsmeanbusiness.com/GMID/events

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#IMEX16 #GMID #NAMID #CIC

IMEX America education lifts the lid on trends and millennials

IMEX America education lifts the lid on trends and millennials

Renowned film director Josh Tickell shared his advice on how business can market to ‘the generation that will change the world’ in a packed MPI keynote address at IMEX America today. In Managing and marketing to the future of generation Y, Josh discussed the ‘dynamic social shift’ that will see millennials soon take center stage in the world of work. “Today they seem young, tomorrow they will be in charge”, Josh explained.
Digital connectivity, social reasonability and individuality all characterize the generation which currently numbers 2.3 billion worldwide. Josh compared the different generations, encouraging businesses to understand and cater for generation Y in order to remain relevant, warning that 40% of today’s Fortune 500 companies are currently predicted to disappear by 2050. An issue echoed by Karen deKanter from BCD Meetings & Events, who attended the session: “Josh made a great point about bridge building between generations, learning how to work together across the demographics. He delivered a really informative session, highlighting that there’s a tsunami-like change on the horizon and, in order to stay relevant, we need to grab a surfboard and ride that wave!”

Daniele Arreola from Nizuc Resort & Spa added: “Josh really lifted the lid on the millennial generation. Our clients are beginning to be part of that market and very soon they’ll be our core target. He made some great points about understanding the generation’s expectations of the workplace – we need to be aware of their requirements if we want to train and retain them in our organizations.”

The innovative daily MPI keynote speakers are rounded off tomorrow by former Nashville songwriter and performer Patrick Henry who is set to show attendees how to build an extraordinary customer experience in Becoming ‘Remember-able‘.

Much of the powerful education at IMEX America also takes place on the show floor, both at the Inspiration Hub and across many exhibitor booths. At the International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) booth, Vice President of Learning Experiences Marsha Flanagan revealed the Exhibition and events education trends. With the amount of money spent per employee on education increasing (according to the Association for Talent & Development), Marsha shared her thoughts on how meeting planners can provide cutting edge education, beginning with researching the target market and ‘identifying the education gaps.’ She ran through the options for session formats for education both inside and outside the event, outlining how planners can move beyond the traditional classroom setting towards informal and interactive formats. Martha’s tips included the use of technology, games, exercise, outdoor locations and set design.

Greg McCormack, director of national sales at T3 Expo, who attended the session comments: “Education is increasingly about sharing information rather than being talked at. People want to be part of a community and get together to network and learn”.

Desbo Mohono from the department of tourism in South Africa, North West province adds: “In our sector, it’s no longer about the classroom setting. This session has shown me ways to creatively use different spaces, both inside and outside.”

The comprehensive education program at IMEX America covers key topics including Business Skills, Creative Learning, Diversity, General Education, Health/Wellbeing, Marketing and Communications, Research/Trends, Risk Management/Compliance, Sustainability and Technology/Social Media.

Future focused

Future focused – looking ahead to meeting space, sustainability and communication trends

The comprehensive education programme at IMEX America opened today with a look at what’s on the horizon for meeting planners – an insight into future meeting space, sustainability developments and communication tips was delivered by a host of industry experts.

Award-winning magician Tim David delivered the MPI Keynote, beginning a packed programme of almost 70 education sessions on the first day of the show. Human connection – a lost art in a noisy world was a lively session covering the art of persuasive communication including how to get the best out of people by making changes to language and behaviour.

He explained: “The quantity of social media has gone through the roof, but what about the quality?” Tim went on to reveal the skills required to influence other people, focusing on the subtleties of body language as one of the main channels of communication.

Through his work, Tim has learnt what makes people tick and shared many tips in this motivational presentation uncovering the key to effective communication and fostering connections.

Caitlin Connors, event planner at the Charles Koch Institute who attended the session, commented: “Tim’s session really rang true – human connection is vital, especially in the industry we’re in. It’s crucial to foster relationships and go the extra mile.”

TJ Johnson from the International Legal Technology Association added: “As a planner for a large international association it’s my job to help people connect – Tim’s keynote has given me some valuable tips on boosting human connection. When planning huge conferences, the networking is as vital as the education.”

What’s Ahead? Innovation @ Future Meeting Space was covered by Laura d’Elsa at the Inspiration Hub, home to all show floor education. Laura, who is Regional Director USA/Canada for the German Convention Bureau (GCB), introduced the future meeting space project – a partnership between the German Convention Bureau, the European Association of Event Centers (EVVC) and the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO). Together these organisations are examining the future of events from multiple angles including infrastructure, education, technology, mobility and culture. During this packed session, meeting planners discovered more about the group’s goals and objectives and previewed some of the trends data coming out of focus groups with industry, design, academic and business experts, to innovation guides and case histories.

Attendee Gloria Pickett from American Express Meetings & Events said: “What an exciting session – the technology that’s predicted for the future is simply awesome. It’s like Star Trek coming to life! Meetings and meeting technology are forever evolving and this session was an interesting and useful glimpse into the future“.
Beth Gerundo from The Hartford added: “The technology Laura showcased in her presentation is certainly something I anticipate my organization will take advantage of sooner rather than later. We’re all about the ‘wow’ factor and like to offer something different. The session offered a peak into the future and insight into what the next generation of meeting planners will be dealing with.”

The comprehensive education programme at IMEX America covers key topics including Business Skills, Creative Learning, Diversity, General Education, Health/Wellbeing, Marketing and Communications, Research/Trends, Risk Management/Compliance, Sustainability, and Technology/Social Media.

Two new search filtering options have been added on the education section of the IMEX America website to help attendees pinpoint content specifically tailored to how long they have been in the industry. The Young Professionals line-up, sponsored by IAEE, is for anyone with up to three years’ experience. This includes CEIR research – 10 tips for exhibitor success delivered by David DuBois, President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) this afternoon. The audience engagement workshop which took place today is part of the Senior Professionals sessions, sponsored by SPiN, for those with eight years’ experience or more. Shawna Suckow, Founder & Chairwoman of SPiN, delivered the session which promised to ‘confound, frustrate, enlighten, and entertain’.

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.

IMEX AMERICA EDUCATION PROGRAM

“Back to School” Time– IMEX America Education Program is Now Online
Attendees Customize From 10 Speciality Learning Tracks; New Play Space On Smart Monday
Will Feature Cool “Quirkshops”

Though summer break is still in play, the minds of IMEX organizers and partners are already on getting schooled with education at IMEX America 2015.

News Release
August 2015 -The full learning program for the event– starting with Smart Monday powered by MPI and Association Day on October 12th and running straight through to the show ending October 15th– is now live on the IMEX America website and is free of charge to all buyers, attendees and exhibitors.

With this online catalog of learning opportunities at their fingertips, attendees can research upwards of 180 options with just a few clicks and create their own custom learning program based on their unique needs, interests and IMEX schedules. Over 75 percent of the education is estimated to qualify for CMP/ CEU certification points. Searches can be done under 10 speciality tracks including Business Skills, Creative Learning, Diversity, General Education, Health/Wellbeing, Marketing and Communications, Research/Trends, Risk Management/Compliance, Sustainability, and Technology/Social Media.

Education Built for Impact
All of the education on the show floor will this year be located at the Inspiration Hub, but recognizing that we all learn in different ways, the space features five distinct learning formats and set-ups. There are seminar rooms, a campfire area and a Hot Topic area providing the opportunity to debate the latest industry issues with peers. The Meet the Experts Clinic offers individual appointments with an industry expert, and presentations at the Research Pod area showcase the latest industry data.

Though education sessions are open to all, two new ways to filter session searches — Young Professionals sponsored by IAEE and Senior Professionals sponsored by SPIN — have also been created based on number of years in the industry to help attendees pinpoint ideal classes.

Those with three years or less in the business might like sessions such as “Six Proven Strategies for High Performing Young Professionals,” delivered by meeting industry pioneers, Susan Sarfati and Liz Jackson of High Performance Strategies.

Meeting professionals with more than eight years in the industry may want to join in a discussion such as “Prove it or Lose it: ROI metrics that matter most to the C-Suite,” led by Dane Risley, Senior VP of Enterprise Event Marketing Sales at Cvent.

Knowing that keeping up with the lightning pace of technology can be challenging, many “wired” sessions will be offered in Vegas from “Beyond the #hashtag” given by Josh Murray of Extraordinary Events and “Welcome to 2016: Tech you’ve never seen” delivered by Courtney Stanley, marketing & industry relations strategist for EventMobi, to a discussion dubbed “Insights from the C-Suite: How to have ‘the talk’ about going digital,” led by Deborah Sexton, PCMA President & CEO and Carolyn Clarke, leader of Virtual Edge Institute (VEI.)

Data fans will want to visit the Research Pod for topics such as “The Global Exhibition Industry: Trends Worth Watching,” with David Dubois, President & CEO of IAEE.

Smart Monday Play Room Features Quirkshops
As past IMEX education has explored, the power of creativity and professional play can add a lot of “love” to business results.

To further punctuate the theme this year, IMEX America will feature ‘The Play Room’ – sponsored by Play with a Purpose – which will run throughout Smart Monday and offer short ‘quirkshops’. This upbeat, fun alternative to classroom learning lets attendees get hands-on experience with a variety of tools, techniques and resources to create more engaging meetings in the areas of room design, tech, networking, teambuilding, F&B and more. The overall goal of the Play Room is to offer tangible, immediately applicable ideas that planners can build into their upcoming meetings.

“We think this year’s line-up of education at IMEX America has something for everyone –from newcomers to industry veterans, from the very analytical to the highly creative, from hosted buyers and exhibitors to students and international participants,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “Our goal is always to ensure that the education sessions are insightful and practical, with the end result being that learnings can be brought back to the office and put right to work with teammates and clients alike.”

Keynotes Start Day Off Right
Daily MPI keynotes will lend an intelligent and energizing note to each day of the show.

Smart Monday powered by MPI is headlined by wellness expert Lee Papa discussing “How to Live and Lead Mindfully,” followed on Tuesday by Tim David, author, speaker and former magician touching on “Human Connection: A Lost Art in a Noisy World.”

Wednesday’s program will begin with a keynote from film director Josh Tickell taking the audience through “Managing and Marketing to the Future Generation Y,” and on the final day of the show Patrick Henry, former songwriter and author of “The Pancake Principle: Seventeen Sticky Ways To Make Your Customers FLIP For You,” will teach skills around “Becoming Remember-able.”

Finally, allowing more opportunity for hosted buyers to take advantage of the rich education program – as well as book other appointments and explore the show floor – doors will open this year at 9:45am, with no group appointments held before 11am or after 4pm.

AIBTM and IAEE Renew Strategic Partnership to offer Hosted Buyer Program and Education

AIBTM and IAEE Renew Strategic Partnership to offer Hosted Buyer Program and Education

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) and the Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) announced a renewed partnership to offer a Hosted Buyer programme for IAEE members to attend the event as well as an education session in the AIBTM Learning Theatre to be held 10th – 12th of June in Orlando, Florida.

“Our initial success at AIBTM last year was very promising, and we are once again proud to partner with AIBTM on this industry event,” says IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “This renewed collaboration confirms IAEE’s strategic initiative to engage organisers and planners who are exploring global opportunities.” DuBois will be a part of an educational panel that will take place during Education Day on 11th of June 2014.

IAEE, which was founded in 1928 to represent the interests of trade show and exhibition managers, represents over 8,500 individuals who conduct and support exhibitions around the world. Over 50% of its members are directly involved in the planning, management and production of exhibitions.

“AIBTM is delighted to renew its partnership with IAEE again this year,” said Michael Lyons, AIBTM Exhibition Director. “We share a common mission and values: to provide stakeholders in our industry with information and resources that will advance the industry’s success through a focus on growth and relationship-building. By establishing successful partnerships like this one, AIBTM is able to achieve its goal of delivering strong ROI to all the industry professionals who attend AIBTM in June in Orlando.”

Join AIBTM on Linked in, Facebook, Twitter , Youtube and i-MEET

IMEX Group announces growth in partnerships for 2014

IMEX Group announces growth in partnerships for 2014

The IMEX Group, organiser of two global trade shows for the meetings, incentive travel and events industry, has announced a number of new association partnerships together with several added-value developments to existing agreements.

New industry awards use IMEX as launch platform
Two new awards have been added to the roster being presented at the annual IMEX Gala Dinner in May. A new ‘Destination Marketing Award’ will be presented by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) in recognition of a successful marketing or branding campaign undertaken by a single destination. The Award comes at a time when many destinations are powering ahead with the use of social media and using more advanced marketing techniques to differentiate their product offerings.

In addition, a new International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) International Excellence Award will recognise an individual or organisation who has made “exceptional strides in creating, launching and managing an international event in the exhibitions and events industry” over the past year.

New German association partners
As part of IMEX’s long-term business strategy the company is starting to offer more tailored professional education to special interest groups in the German meetings and events sector. A new partnership with the German Association of Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF) sees the trade body co-locating a tax seminar on the morning of IMEX Association Day in Frankfurt to allow its members to attend the Association Day event in the afternoon as well as the evening networking reception.

IMEX is also formalising its partnership with the Association of German Travel Managers (VDR). The result is an initial agreement for the VDR to market the Exclusively Corporate @IMEX day to its members to encourage them to attend as hosted buyers. More joint initiatives are planned as the partnership grows.

Asian association growth taking shape
Continued, rapid expansion in the Asian meetings market in recent years has given rise to several new industry associations in the region, as well as growth in the number of hosted buyers attending the IMEX shows. The Philippines Council for the Advancement of Association Executives is one such association currently exploring ways of working together and, as a significant first step, its Executive Director will pay a formal visit to IMEX in Frankfurt in May.

ECM boost to Declaration of Support
The longstanding partnership between IMEX and ECM – European Cities Marketing – has also been expanded and has already resulted in a significant boost to joint meetings industry advocacy efforts. In December ECM handed over 20 political signatories for the IMEX Declaration of Support during its CEO Meeting of Capital and Major Cities. This brings the number of signatories to the Declaration to just one short of its first-year target of 100 named supporters.

Partners foster new research links
During the year IMEX will also be collaborating with the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) and Development Counsellors International (DCI) on a research study about generational differences in the meetings market. Results are set to be announced at IMEX in Frankfurt in May.

Co-located Board meeting draws more senior buyers
ISES, the International Special Events Society, has elected to co-locate its 2014 board meeting with IMEX America in Las Vegas in October for the first time. The society’s members collectively plan and deliver over 1 million events annually and represent a powerful group of buyers within the US events market.

Commenting on the announcements, IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer said: “IMEX America and IMEX in Frankfurt have both been built on a strategy of forming close, mutually beneficial working relationships with key industry associations. Today’s announcements demonstrate that there is still plenty of scope for innovation and expansion at both the shows. We will continue to work with relevant, specialist groups to ensure that IMEX offers ‘something for everyone’ while maintaining clear focus on our ultimate purpose: to enable and create face-to-face business between buyers and exhibitors.”

IMEX in Frankfurt opens on May 20 at Messe Frankfurt. Association Day and Exclusively Corporate @IMEX both take place on Monday May 19. Online registration is now open.

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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