Unique appointment system: Before the show, hosted buyers choose andmake their own appointments with exhibitors.Unlike other shows that often prescribe which buyers meet which exhibitors via a computer-generated “matchmaking” list, IMEX America does not tell buyers with whomtomeet or when. Instead, all appointments aremade between buyers and exhibitors directly, using IMEX America’s free online diary andmessag- ing tools. And individual appointments between buyers and exhibitors take place on the exhibition floor, not in a separate room, adding to the collective energy of the show.
ADDITIONAL BUYER ATTENDEES In addition to hosted buyers, thousands of additionalU.S. buyers are expected to attend the show—because IMEX America does not charge trade attendees a registration fee to visit the exhibit hall or take part in IMEXAmerica’s out- standing educationalofferings. Special rates at the Venetian and the Palazzo will make it cost-effective for these buyers to attend—as will the strength of IMEXAmerica’s exhibitor offerings, communicated via a robust marketing campaign and strong word ofmouth.
Wild Card
Americas For new and emerging destinations or convention centers wishing to raise their profile, Wild Card Americas offers the chance for two winners to exhibit free of charge at IMEX America. The program pro- vides full access to the thousands of qualified buyers from across the United States and around the world who will be attending. For more information, contact Dale Hudson at dale.hudson @imexexhibitions.com.
ming will be anchored by its revolutionaryNew Vision pro- gram, designed to inspire participants with blue-sky think- ing on industry growth, sharp insight on key issues, and clever initiatives and intelligent solutions, including: 1. LearningCurve Zone: Showcasing the best education and training for themeetings industry, with short drop-in work- shops and “campfires” running throughout the day. 2. Sustainability Center: Offering “Green Power” sessions, expert advice, toolkits, and case studies for exhibitors and buyers to increase their knowledge of environ- mentaland socialresponsibility. 3. Future Leaders Forum: Specially devel- oped by IMEXandMPI to encourage the best and brightest students to enter the meetings and incentive travelindustry. 4.Techno-How Zone: Offering a public platformto three handpicked, pioneering technology companies to demonstrate their products and services. There also will be a separateGadget Bar where attendees can get their hands on some of the latest devices. All of these programs will be powered
NEW VISION IMEX America will feature nearly 50 educational sessions and industry forums, organized largely by the show’s indus- try-association partners. And IMEX America’s program-
ThePower of theIMEX Hosted-BuyerModel
Survey results show that hosted buyers placed $450 million in orders with exhibitors during IMEX 2010 in Frankfurt, and expect to do more than
$2.2 billion in business with them in the next year. Individual hosted buyers made 40,000 appoint- ments with exhibitors prior to IMEX 2010 in Frankfurt. In total, groups and individual buyers made 57,000 business appointments—a 14-percent increase
over 2009. IMEX’s hosted buyers spend double the amount of timeon the show floor than do non-hosted atten- dees—an average of 12 hours, with many staying the full three days of the Frankfurt show.
by the engine of IMEXAmerica’s show floor—a dynamic, nonstop environment where hosted buyers, exhibitors, and other attendees spark with collaborative energy. And it’s the energy that onlyNorthAmerica’s premier event formeet- ings, events, and incentive travelcan generate.
IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom created the hosted-buyer concept in 1988 when he originated the largest incentive show in the U.K. He later went on to found EIBTM. For his pioneering work in the meet- ings industry, he has been inducted into the CIC Hall of Leaders (1991). Currently he sits on the MPI Foundation Board of Trustees and the Site International Foundation, and he has also been rec- ognized by a host of other organizations, including ICCA. He is a familiar face to participants at IMEX in Frankfurt, where it has been his custom to greet and thank every attendee for coming as they exit the exhibit floor on the final day of the show.