IMEX 2009, taking place from May 26 to 28 in Hall 8, Messe Frankfurt, Germany, is expecting over 3,600 hosted buyers from almost 60 world markets, and an overall trade visitor total of 8,751.
This year, after working together successfully to develop a variety of meetings industry joint ventures since 2003, IMEX and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) have entered into a global partnership for the first time.
The new agreement expands the remit of both organisations to work together on key professional education projects, especially the successful joint Future Leaders Forum, and complements a European partnership agreement already in place.
At the same time, IMEX has announced that it will fund a series of new MPI Foundation Scholarships. IMEX became MPI’s first ever European Foundation donor in 2004, initially funding research linked to the Women’s Initiative and then the roll out of the online cross cultural training tool, CultureActive, to all MPI members.
IMEX has committed an additional €100,000 to the Foundation, which will fund a series of member scholarships over the next five years. These will include entrance to a series of MPI educational events across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East; all linked to MPI’s new Global Knowledge Plan.
IMEX chairman, Ray Bloom said, “IMEX and MPI are a natural fit, with both organisations active in supporting and promoting knowledge and talent development within the meetings industry globally. With our new scholarship scheme we wanted to increase our contribution to the industry and give meeting professionals around the world outstanding opportunities to develop their knowledge and careers.”
“This is a natural extension to the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum which concentrates on motivating and encouraging the best and brightest students to enter the industry. Now we can show them how the meetings industry will support them in continuing their education once they are working. By funding these scholarships we hope to link to MPI’s Global Knowledge Plan, with different scholarships being awarded to professionals of any age in different regions around the world,” he said.
Katie Callahan-Giobbi, executive vice president, MPI Foundation & Chief Business Architect of Meeting Professionals International said, “The MPI Foundation is honoured to partner with IMEX on the new scholarship series. This initiative not only furthers our commitment to our members, but also our investment in the future of the industry.”