Tech start-ups present their solutions for the meetings industry at #IMEXpitch

Tech start-ups present their solutions for the meetings industry at #IMEXpitch
Five technology start-ups from across the world have the opportunity to showcase their products to an audience of event professionals at IMEX in Frankfurt this year.

Finalists have been selected for the #IMEXpitch which takes place during IMEX in Frankfurt, 19 – 21 April.These up-and-coming companies offer innovative technology for the events sector and are set to go head-to-head in a live pitch competition at the show. The finalists are:

• eventbaxx www.eventbaxx.com – digital goodie bags
• Grip www.getgrip.io/grip-event-matchmaking – networking for startups
• Interactio www.interactio.io – simultaneous interpretation via a smartphone
• Mash Machine www.mashmachines.com – a musical instrument enabling players to create music by placing and moving blocks on its surface
• Qmeeto www.qmeeto.com – an all in one management tool

Miguel Neves, Senior Online Community Manager, IMEX Group explains: “There is plenty of innovation in the meetings industry, much of it coming from start-ups, and we’re keen to reward and recognise these new and exciting companies at the show.We also hope to give attendees a quick way to learn about the latest event technologies and how they can support their events.”

Each company has five minutes to put forward its product, including the concept, features and unique selling points, to a live audience of up to 60 attendees.This competition is part of the IMEX education program and will take place at the Inspiration Hub on 19 April 2016 at 16:00.
The winner, chosen by an expert judging panel, will receive a free space on the Technology Pavilion at IMEX in Frankfurt 2017 in addition to press and marketing exposure.The six judges are all individuals who work with event technology on a daily basis and are heavily involved in the latest developments.They will select the winner at the #IMEXpitch final held at the show. The selection criteria covers ease of implementation and practicality, innovation and sustainability among other factors.
One of the judges, Christine Fuchs from the social fox, is also leading specialised tours on technology during IMEX, offering visitors a snapshot of the latest event tech solutions from across the showfloor.

A new feature at IMEX in Frankfurt this year is the TECHknowledge Area where experts will provide practical technology solutions and hands-on experiences.  With their fingers on the pulse of the event technology space, these experts can discuss solutions for event planning, budgeting, productivity, sourcing, travel and other areas.

The TECHknowledge Area features a TECHbar where attendees can test out a range of event tech solutions, event apps, gadgets, wearables and more in a sales-free zone. Scheduled TECHbyte sessions are also available for valuable one to one advice.
For further details about this see http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/education/show-floor-education/techknowledge-area/
For further details about #IMEXpitch see www.imex-frankfurt.com/imexpitch

Industry Education and Wellness Merge in ibtm america’s 2015 “ConnectZone”

Industry Education and Wellness Merge in ibtm america’s 2015 “ConnectZone”

To deliver on this year’s show theme “Connections Mean Everything,” ibtm america 2015 (www.ibtmamerica.com) has created a ConnectZone with thought-provoking, bite-sized education sessions and body / mind wellness activities to help attendees engage, unwind and “get enlightened” in Chicago from 9-11 June.

“We recognise that having a unique and enjoyable experience is key to making business connections at our show this year,” said Jaime McAuley, Event Director. “As a result, we’ve combined last year’s popular Innovation and Refresh Zones into a new concept for our appointment-focused event to create a learning environment that’s both physically and mentally stimulating for our buyers and exhibitors.”

The new ConnectZone, in collaboration with The Meeting Pool, will offer a number of unique activities for both Hosted Buyers and exhibitors to experience outside of business appointment hours. The Spotlight Stage, brought to you by Certain Inc., a favorite from last year, will be returning with bite-sized education on various topics. Planned sessions include:

“Standing Yoga” – with Dr. Kim of X-bytes and Sound Off Headphone Technology
“Two Ingredients For Winning Proposals” – Debbie Mayo-Smith
Tech presentation from Poken, an official ibtm america sponsor
“Trends in Sitting – Start with Standing!” – Matthew Broderick
“Green, Local & Sustainable F&B Trends” – Savor Chicago at McCormick Place
“Trends in Tea for Wellness and Energy”
“Apps For Work Life Balance” – Dahlia El Gazzar
“Fitness & Stretch Break” – Dr. Kim and Sound Off
“Sound and Silence Solutions for Your Events” – Silent Events Company
“Hotel & Travel Workout Tips” – Dr. Kim and Sound Off
“Essential Oils For Your Health and Environment” – Matthew Broderick
Tech presentation from Certain, an official ibtm america sponsor
“Fashion Show & Style” – Bloomingdale’s
“Health & Fitness Latest Gadgets and Tech” – Dahlia El Gazzar
“Take Care of Your Feet for Whole Body Health” – Eric Huffman
“Managing F&B for Good with Live Chef Demo” – Jiwon McCartney
“Close Fine Tuned Fitness” – Dr. Kim and Sound Off

In addition to the Spotlight Stage, the ConnectZone will bring back a few other attendee favorites as well as some new activities designed to stimulate wellbeing. Some of the offerings include:

TECHbar – Part of last year’s Innovation Zone, the new and improved TECHbar will provide additional interactive education, as well as “iPad Makeovers,” where exhibitors and Hosted Buyers can take their photo on the preloaded app and plan their makeover for the Beauty Bar.
Meditation Lounge – Hosted by Silent Events Company, the Meditation Lounge will feature six headsets loaded with a choice of 3 meditations – the perfect place to come and relax and charge your device! The company will also teach you how to incorporate meditation into your events.
Reflexology & Acupressure – Learn about your overall health as it stems from your feet with a reflexology treatment from Chicago’s leading reflexologists. Treatments also include acupressure.
Posture Therapy – Join therapist Matthew Broderick of MFB Wellness as he teaches us how to adjust your posture to ensure ideal comfort during your meetings and beyond!
Fashion & Style Show – On Thursday, retail leader Bloomingdale’s will be putting on a 20-minute fashion show. Additionally, Bloomingdale’s representatives will provide gift bags and coupons to attendees during ConnectZone hours.
Beauty and Nail Bar – To prepare for your new headshots, head over to the Beauty and Nail bar and indulge in a manicure courtesy of Manicube. Other beauty offerings TBD.
The HeadShotLOUNGETM – Photographer Chuck Fazio brings his expertise to help prime attendees for some new business headshots.
Corporate Social Responsibility – Interested in participating in some charitable activity? Dress for Success, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women, will be onsite to collect clothing donations. The group provides women with professional attire, a network of support and career development tools needed to help thrive in both work and life. Also participating is Fight2Feed, a 501c non-profit organisation with the mission to eliminate hunger in Chicago by utilising leftovers from restaurants and the mobility of food trucks to reduce food waste and feed those who need it most.
The Style Corner – Stella & Dot will showcase this summer’s hottest trends to help you become your best self. Don’t miss Stella & Dot’s sneak-peak at products to come, and if you make a purchase, proceeds go to Ovarian Cancer research. Additionally, get a taste of South Asian culture with a Henna tattoo from local Chicago Henna artists.
Snack Zone – Sample some of Chicago’s finest at the Snack Zone, Vendors include Garrett’s popcorn.

The ConnectZone will be open on Wednesday 10 June from 10:50am – 12:15pm and 3:25pm – 3:55pm, and again on Thursday from 10:15am – 10:45am and 11:25am – 12:25pm.

ibtm america takes place from 9-11 June 2015 in Chicago. To apply to be a Hosted Buyer or participate as an exhibitor, please visit www.ibtmamerica.com

ibtm america Announces Theme for Inaugural New Show Format: “Connections Mean Everything”

ibtm america Announces Theme for Inaugural New Show Format: “Connections Mean Everything”

Education Centered “Knowledge Forum” Set to Deliver Top-Notch Business Insights

The newly designed ibtm america has sharpened its focus on face-to-face business connections with this year’s show theme “Connections Mean Everything” in Chicago from 9-11 June.

This year’s “Discovery Day” (formerly “Education Day”) will kick off the Knowledge Forum with a keynote session sponsored by PCMA around the show’s theme.

Directly following this, there will be two sets of three congruent sessions brought to you by PCMA, Site and the ibtm events team. The first set of sessions will include a breakout around tools for planner productivity titled “Big Data Part 1” as well as an industry engagement option “Shared Economy” from PCMA. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to put meetings design into practice with the session on “Audiovisual Technologies and Adult Learning in Meetings” led by speaker Michael Owen from EventGenuity, LLC. The next set will see more sessions around industry engagement from Site. Returning presenter and attendee-favorite James Spellos will lead the last option “Way Cool Tech Tools”.

Keynoting on day two this year is Debbie Mayo-Smith. A best-selling author and globally recognised leading business productivity expert, Debbie will speak on how to improve profits and communication through the use of email, smartphone and other software.

Meetings Mean Business will be keynoting the Inspiration Lunch on day two of the show. The coalition is dedicated to showcasing the value that business meetings bring to the US economy.

To enhance productivity and informal connection making, the “ConnectZone” will bring additional education offerings for attendees and exhibitors to experience during their breaks. A hybrid of last year’s Innovation and Refresh Zones, the ConnectZone (brought to you in partnership with the Meeting Pool) revisits some of AIBTM 2014’s popular attractions such as the Innovation Spotlight Stage, sponsored by Certain Software, and the TECHbar.

New this year will be the WellnessNexus, a showcase of the latest and emerging trends in personal and professional wellness, as well as the ImageDeck, where attendees can enrich their personal and professional appearances via image consultants, beauty experts and a professional headshot lounge. Attendees will also be able to participate in some charitable activity, as “Dress For Success” will be on-hand accepting clothing donations. The not-for-profit organisation promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire.

“Our focus this year for the ConnectZone twofold: we want our attendees to feel productive, even during their appointment breaks, but to also have fun and relax” says Jaime McAuley, ibtm america’s Event Director. “The ConnectZone allows for learning about the most recent technology innovations, and gives people a chance to better their wellness and productivity. We’ll have experts on hand in a variety of topics on hand to teach planners and exhibitors about emerging trends and techniques they can apply not only to their personal, but their professional lives as well.”

ibtm america takes place from June 9-11, 2015 in Chicago. To apply to be a Hosted Buyer or participate as an exhibitor, please visit www.ibtmamerica.com