THE Imex Group plans to undertake a new study on the future of the meetings industry to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its Imex trade show in Frankfurt, Germany, next year.
The new study will be conducted by Fast Future Research, which runs the highly acclaimed Convention 2020 study on the future of business events.
The study’s findings are set to provide a focal point for a series of celebrations and special activities designed to mark the trade show’s 10th anniversary. These will include a Future Leaders Hall of Fame, 10 Years of Environmental Education, a new programme for Association Day, plus a special new location for the Imex Politicians Forum to mark its 10th year.
Titled “The Power of 10”, the new study will seek opinions from individually selected thought and business-leaders inside and outside the meetings industry to help shed new light on what the next 10 years might hold in store. It will also look back over the last decade to capture the most important events and changes that have had an impact on the industry.
The Imex Power of 10 research project will build on the ideas and insights from Convention 2020 to provide a positive perspective on how the meetings industry can evolve and fulfill its strategic potential over the next decade.
The study will be capturing the views of 10 leaders from 10 key sectors – asking them 10 questions about the next decade. It will also seek opinions from future leaders and students to get their perspectives on the industry’s future. A worldwide essay competition will be run with the 10 best submissions being awarded a Power of 10 prize plus public recognition. The study will also contain retrospectives and predictions from Imex Group staff who have been with the trade show since its inception.
Commenting on the new study, Fast Future CEO, Rohit Talwar, stated: “With 2012 being such a significant, celebratory year for Imex, it seemed fitting to look back as well as looking ahead, and to see what that comparison might reveal. Many of the respondents involved in the study will be big personalities with even bigger opinions, so we are expecting the insights and analysis to be as valuable and provocative as they are entertaining.”