WITH almost a year still to go until the opening of the inaugural IMEX America in Las Vegas - America's worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events - IMEX group chairman, Ray Bloom, has announced that forecasts for exhibitor numbers and hosted buyers are likely to be exceeded.
Exhibitors from across the world and across all sectors of the industry have now committed to the show, including more than 25 of the major hotel groups who will also be participating in the IMEX America hosted-buyer programme by inviting their top clients to attend.
Bloom explains: "Demand for space at IMEX America has been outstanding since our launch and we are delighted to have such a large and diverse set of exhibitors already committed, including Los Angeles, Greece, Monaco, Germany, Mexico, Silversea Cruises and Disney Destinations to name just a few. Over 25 major hotel groups are already confirmed including Marriott, Starwood, Four Seasons, Fairmont and Carlson Companies.
"It is especially satisfying to see such a strong and positive reaction from the hotel groups, a factor which reinforces the strength and quality of the show's hosted-buyer programme and our unique business model."
Lynn Pavony, director of incentive sales at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts explains the thinking behind the company’s decision to exhibit: "This show has earned great respect for its strategic approach in providing ROI for exhibitors and planners. We are excited about the strategy and profile of this new North American industry event based on the great reputation it has already established for its European show."
Michael Krouse, senior vice president, sales and client services at LA INC - The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, shares that view: "We are so excited that IMEX is coming to the US next year. It's a massive opportunity for us to extend the Los Angeles CVB brand, to meet new international and domestic buyers and to take part in a really strong business and networking event that's also got that all important touch of genuine friendliness and glamour about it!" he said.
Bloom explains further: "When IMEX America opens in Las Vegas next year it will have the largest hosted-buyer programme of any trade show in North America. Yet we are fully aware it is not just volume but quality that will make the show such a powerful business proposition. The quality of our programme is demonstrated by the participation of such corporations as Maritz Travel, whose annual senior-level customer event will attract up to 100 Fortune-500 corporate clients, and top agencies including Carlson Marketing, Conference Direct, Experient, HelmsBriscoe and Global Events Partners. Working with such powerful intermediaries as these means we will be hosting some of the top buyers in North America to the show. MPI - our strategic partner - ASAE and PCMA will also be attracting their members to attend as hosted buyers."
80 per cent of hosted buyers to IMEX America will come from North America and 20 per cent from international markets. All will have to place business internationally as well as within the US to qualify to attend as part of the hosted programme. Thousands more buyer attendees are also expected to attend the Las Vegas trade show. Unusually for a US trade event, entrance to the show and its comprehensive education programme will be entirely free of charge.
Part of IMEX's strength is its consistent focus on the power and importance of the association market. Its Frankfurt show attracts more association buyers than any other trade show in the meetings industry and this will also be a defining feature of IMEX America. More than 10 per cent of all buyers attending the new Las Vegas show are expected to be association meeting buyers.
In addition to benefiting from high-level partnerships with all of the industry's leading associations including MPI, DMAI, Site, PCMA, JMIC, CIC, ECM, ASAE, ICCA, AIPC and ACTE, IMEX America will also leverage formal agreements with strategically important corporations. These include major media partner, Northstar Meetings Group, which has a potential audience of 200,000 meetings professionals and Cvent, the world's largest meetings management technology company, which has a strong reputation among government, corporate, association and education organisations. The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, together with Las Vegas partners including the Venetian - Palazzo Hotel & Resort, will also be promoting the show to targeted buyers across North America.
Bloom sums up: "As many exhibitors who've already signed up testify, for them IMEX America represents ‘a sound investment’, the promise of ‘excellent results’ and ‘a chance to shape the future’. Be assured IMEX America is set to deliver much, much more than 'just' a trade show. Sitting at the heart of the meetings industry, wherever it takes place in the world, IMEX always delivers outstanding business opportunities."
IMEX America has already confirmed dates at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at the Venetian/ Palazzo Hotel, Las Vegas through to 2013.