IMEX 2012 Sees 21-percent Increase in Buyer Appointments
May 29, 2012
IMEX Group’s 10th annual IMEX event, held May 22-24 in Frankfurt, snagged impressive numbers, with the show scoring a 21-percent increase in buyer appointments with exhibitors to reach a total of 64,000.
Forty thousand of those appointments were individual ones, and the remaining were group appointments, according to Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group.
Bloom also said that just fewer than 4,000 hosted buyers attended the show from an overall total of nearly 9,000 visitors from around the world.
Exhibitors at IMEX 2012 gave the show positive reviews.
“The number of booked appointments has exceeded previous years, which is incredibly encouraging,” said Jennifer Salsbury, senior director, International for the China National Convention Center. “IMEX is an essential part of our activity in this market.”
Amy Riley of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, agreed, adding, “The show’s been very busy. Appointments have increased from 180 last year to 250 this year, which is huge. We’re meeting a great variety of planners.”
This year’s IMEX also had the largest education program in its 10-year history, with nearly 140 seminars, workshops and short-session campfires taking place.
The informal campfires were first introduced last year to allow intimate discussions with subject experts to take place on the showfloor, according to IMEX show organizers.
Sessions on social media, innovative event design and sustainable meetings and events had exceptionally high attendance numbers this year, they added.
“Without doubt, the scope and quality of our education program now marks IMEX out,” Bloom said.
He added, “It allows all of our participants to prove even stronger ROI so we will continue to review and develop the show’s education to ensure that it keeps delivering good content in the new and exciting formats that the industry demands.”
Bloom also praised the 2012 Politicians Forum at which Gloria Guevara Manzo, Minister of Tourism for Mexico (and member of President Calderon’s Cabinet) spoke about how meetings and events in her country are a catalyst for growth.
New for next year, Bloom announced at the event a dedicated education program just for corporate buyers.
“The model will be similar to Association Day, although smaller in scope, and will enable us to bring in more high quality corporate buyers from leading markets around the world,” he added.
Next on tap for the IMEX Group is the second annual IMEX America in October in Las Vegas.
“Increases are planned across all parts of the show, and we will announce full details on these in the summer,” Bloom said. “The opening of 14 new gates at the city’s international airport later this year is also good news for us.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment