Frankfurt. IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom, announced his delight at the way plans and partnerships were developing for the group’s new show, IMEX America, during a press conference on day two of IMEX in Frankfurt (Wednesday 26th May). He was joined by Bruce MacMillan, CEO of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), IMEX America’s Strategic Partner and major educational provider.
Bloom said: “IMEX America represents a unique model of trade show in the US. As a result we have had an extremely strong response and expectations are already very high. As discussions developed with a variety of partners over the first quarter of this year, it became clear that we could confidently announce a larger number of hosted buyers than first thought. Conference Direct, HelmsBriscoe, HPN, Starwood Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels, Maritz, MPI, ASAE and PCMA are just some of the partners who have committed to bringing their most important buyers in good numbers. As a result we now intend to host 2,000 hosted buyers from the association, corporate and agency markets to Las Vegas in October 2011.”
“We are guaranteeing that 80% of our hosted buyers will come from North America and will place business internationally, as well as domestically. The remaining 20% of buyers will come from other world markets. This will guarantee exhibitors access to thousands of US buyers from the enormous American outbound market; as well as the best buyers placing business within the US – both from the domestic market, as well as from across the world,” Bloom continued.
MPI’s Strategic Partnership with IMEX America means the association has the role of major educational provider for the three day show. As a result MPI will be running high-level seminars each morning before the show starts, together with a dedicated day of education the day before it opens and its popular MPI Foundation Rendezvous party. In addition, from 2011 it will no longer be operating its marketplace tradeshow alongside WEC (World Education Congress) each year but encouraging all members to make IMEX America their annual show of choice. Said Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO of MPI, “We are putting the collective buying power of MPI members, estimated to be $16.4 billion, behind our exclusive strategic partnership with IMEX America, as well as designing a uniquely co-created educational experience for buyers and sellers.”
