Frankfurt. Organisers of IMEX in Frankfurt have released a detailed report of the discussions that took place at this year’s IMEX Politicians Forum, which was deemed the most authoritative and successful in its 11-year history due to strong ministerial involvement.
The report outlines how, at the start of the day, leaders of all three of the Forum’s main supporting associations – the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC); European Cities Marketing (ECM) and the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) – made short statements about their members’ diverse business interests, clearly demonstrating why the industry often finds it difficult to speak with one voice. As an example, delegates heard Dieter Hardt-Stremayer, President of ECM, which represents 110 cities in 32 countries, explain that some ECM members are 100% privately owned and some 100% state owned, and yet all represent Europe collectively. By contrast, Geoff Donaghy, Vice President of AIPC, explained that 70% of their members’ conference facilities are government owned at some level. He urged the Forum: “So, as owners and investors, you have both the right and responsibility to ensure you are getting full value for your constituencies.”
The full 26-page report from the 2013 IMEX Politicians Forum can be downloaded free of charge here.
