Visit London reports that initial results for Visit London and its stand partners following IMEX are extremely positive.

The capital city’s team received above average enquiries and strong sales leads as well as winning the IMEX Green Exhibitor Award in recognition of efforts to minimize the impact of the stand on the environment.

Visit London’s Sales Manager Europe, Barbara Jamison, says: “The Visit London team set a target of £10 million worth of enquiries from buyers and visitors attending the show. Although we'll need to evaluate the results, the first signs are very positive and we expect to achieve this. We’re delighted to have won the Green Exhibitor Award which we received for positive environmental practices like reducing energy and wastage on the stand and providing buyers with collateral on USBs instead of printed materials.”

The London team saw an increase in enquiries from Eastern Europe at this year's show. Premium UK DMC, received an enquiry from Slovenia, while the Renaissance Chancery Court London took one from Slovakia and there was also significant interest from Hungary.

The Competitive Edge, a DMC on the London Pavilion, confirmed a significant piece of business before IMEX even started! This was a result of some pre-event marketing. The client who had met The Competitive Edge at a previous show contacted the DMC in advance of IMEX.

A site inspection was carried out last week with another to follow next week. Historic Royal Palaces will also be conducting a site inspection at Hampton Court Palace formal gardens next week. The UK based client wants to hold a corporate event for 1500 people in a marquee in a green space. The business is estimated to be worth around £60,000.

Barbican took enquiries for three large association events, estimated to be worth around £300,000. One of the enquiries was for an event in 2018. Top London hotel, The Landmark London regularly runs pre-event marketing activity, which involves sending keys that open a wooden chest to buyers.

At this year's IMEX the hotel saw the greatest number of keys returned to them of all the shows at which they have exhibited. The overall value of enquiries for the May Fair and the Radisson Edwardian chain is in the region of £400,000 - £500,000, with still more coming in post IMEX and via the DMCs on the stand.

The interactive features on the stand attracted record numbers. A ‘Beat the Clock’ competition featuring specially adapted bicycles against a video-screen backdrop of the London streets attracted over 100 participants. Each took up the challenge of riding 200m as fast as possible on in celebration of the Tour de France coming to London in July this year.

Many challengers won Tour de France prizes as well as Maui Jim sunglasses, with the overall winner due to come to London during the Tour de France weekend in July to stay at The Millennium Gloucester Hotel and Conference Centre.

Buyers positively commented on the interactive and engaging approach of the destination presentations. Contribution from Mathias Haas, a German buyer who has planned successful events in London acting as the voice of the buyers, was well received by the audience. Mathias presented with Barbara Jamison, Visit London’s Sales Manager Europe and some of the stand partners.

Visit London hosted a successful networking reception at Frankfurt’s famous Diamonds and Pearls bar, where guests enjoyed special cocktails made by mixologists from luxury London hotel the May Fair. One lucky guest also won a weekend for 2 at the May Fair.