IMEX Group issues findings from tenth Politicians Forum debate – Destinations urged to use report content to increase local political support

IMEX Group issues findings from tenth Politicians Forum debate – Destinations urged to use report content to increase local political support
The IMEX Group has today issued a public report on the findings of the IMEX Politicians Forum discussion held during IMEX in Frankfurt in May this year.

With meetings and business events integral to the development of knowledge-based economies and increasingly central to the prosperity and future growth of nations and cities around the world, the annual IMEX Politicians Forum in Frankfurt provides both a private and a public platform to review industry progress.

The latest report provides an overview of the days’ content, including the case studies and papers presented by Business Events Sydney, Bordeaux, the European Society of Cardiology, Excel – London, Germany, Mexico and San Diego.

Close to 130 participated in the Forum, including politicial representatives and industry leaders. This year’s special guest speaker was Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of The Rocco Forte Hotels Group. The Forum’s keynote speaker was Nick de Bois, MP, Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events. 36 politicians and government officials from 16 countries also participated – the largest number to date. They represented: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden and the UK.

One high point was the participation of Gloria Guevara Manzo, State Secretary of Tourism, Mexico, and member of President Calderon’s cabinet. She spoke about her country’s continued growth and ambition. Now one of the world’s top 15 economies, 190 million tourists visited Mexico in 2011, almost 23 million of which were international travellers. Manzo explained that Mexico’s goal is to become one of the world’s top five destinations by 2018 and recognises that meetings, incentive travel and events have a part to play in reaching that target.

Together with its three partner associations (AIPC, JMIC and European Cities Marketing), the IMEX Group hopes that destinations and convention and visitor bureaus in particular will use the report to encourage further political engagement in – and understanding of – the industry among their local political representatives. Its findings also demonstrate how far the industry has developed over the past 10 years and how much more assertive, cohesive and informed it has become.

The IMEX Group furthered its commitment to industry development through political influence at IMEX America this year when it held the first ever Political Advocacy Forum in conjunction with partners, the US Travel Association. This Forum was attended by special guest, Mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, together with CEO of US Travel, Roger Dow and close to 100 participants and media took part. IMEX will further advance its advocacy efforts in 2013 through PCMA’s new Industry Business Forum for local leaders.

IMEX has also made a 3-minute informational video available for free industry download. The video explains the importance of lobbying at a local level and is designed to be viewed by destinations and local government representatives alike.

A full copy of the IMEX in Frankfurt Politicians Forum Report plus a shorter summary is available online.

The IMEX Politicians Forum in Frankfurt is co-organised by ECM (European Cities Marketing) and AIPC (International Association of Congress Centres) and held under the auspices of JMIC (Joint Meetings Industry Council). It is supported by the German Convention Bureau (GCB), the Frankfurt Convention Bureau, Messe Frankfurt, International Meetings Review, Brähler and Sixt.

10 years of the Poland Convention Bureau

10 years of The Poland Convention Bureau

The year 2012 is a special year for the Poland Convention Bureau PTO and for many representatives of the industry, as this is the year when we will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the PCB’s establishment. We would like to thank everyone who has been supporting the development of the Polish meetings industry and have participated in the PCB’s activities. This is a good occasion for summarising the undertakings which we succeeded in completing in 2011.
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Recommended organizers
Since early 2012 Poland Convention Bureau has granted a further recommendations for professional congress organizers and incentive travel companies. Poland Convention Bureau runs 2 Recommendation Programs for  companies specializing in complex organization and operation of congresses and incentive travel in Poland. Recommendations can get the companies to have relevant experience, technical equipment and qualified staff to enable full implementation of the congress or incentive program.
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Personality of the Year titles awarded!
On 20 January 2012 Warsaw’s Pepsi Arena hosted the official presentation of the “MICE Poland Personality of the Year 2011” awards, granted to outstanding figures in the meetings industry in three categories. Just like every year, the MICE Poland Personality of the Year, which is one of this sector’s vital events in Poland, attracted professionals from the whole country.
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Wroclaw organizes the World Games 2017
World Games – Olympic Games at non-Olympic sports for the first time in history will be held in Poland. Wroclaw defeated, among others Cape Town and Budapest in the competition to host this event in 2017. World Games is an event which takes place one year after the Summer Olympics, having the task of promoting non-Olympic disciplines and introduce them to the Olympics. Participants will compete for medals in 37 disciplines such as karate, parachuting, archery, gymnastics, sumo, rock climbing, squash, bowling, billiards or dance sports. Interestingly, each of the cities of the organizers may throw in their own unusual discipline .
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