IMEX opened the doors on its extensive 2006 programme yesterday with its fourth annual Association Day.

The event is dedicated exclusively to fulfilling the educational needs and interests of professional association executives from across Europe, as well as welcoming buyers from the USA, Brazil and Canada.

The Association Day, which was supported by the ArabellaSheraton and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Germany, saw 250 association executives take part in a day of insightful round-table debates and presentations from leading industry names. Over the last four years its profile and reputation has grown to the extent that this year’s event was over-subscribed.

Extensive feedback following last year’s Association Day led IMEX and chief organisers, ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association), to introduce several innovations for the 2006 programme, including panel discussions run in the German language, a new IT LAB and an extension of the roundtable discussion format allowing separate levels of discussion according to delegates knowledge and experience of the subject.

New, dedicated IT LAB

New for 2006 was the introduction of a dedicated ‘IT LAB’ designed to showcase current technologies available to the association and meetings market.  The IT LAB ran concurrently with the educational sessions to ensure that every guest had the chance to explore IT solutions and product offerings from Amlink, Adavanced Solutions International (ASI), Shocklogic and not-for-profit organisation, the Meeting Support Institute.

Association Day guests heard presentations and contributions from Susan Sarfati of the Center for Association Leadership (USA) and the American Society of Association Executives, Carole McKellar of Resources for Associations (UK), Andrea Bauer of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, Doug Price of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) and Professor Wilhelm Engstrom of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

The ‘hot’ industry topics debated during the day were ‘Retention and Recruitment’, which addressed membership issues from three different angles and stimulated a lively debate with strong opinions from both panel and guests.   ‘Congress Education - How to get the message across’ looked at the different technologies and methods available for ensuring that delegates retain maximum value from the meetings they attend. The final session, ‘Non-Dues Revenue – Maximising Opportunities,’ gave guests the chance to assess the different risks and benefits of raising fresh revenue from members and non-members alike.

Later in the day 750 people comprising exhibitor members of the organising associations and the Day’s association guests enjoyed a networking dinner at the Hilton Hotel, hosted by IMEX.

Commenting on the success of the day, Susan Sarfati of the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership said, “People are more hungry for sharing information than ever before.  Association Day was lively and chock-full of questions, information, exchanging and the opportunity to network. Great ideas and great people! ”

Markku Villikka, Director of the International Federation of Surveyors based in Denmark and including associations from 100 countries, said, “Every year it keeps getting better. I’m amazed to see so many people from so many associations here. It’s been an excellent and valuable use of my time for education, networking and the exhibition.”

The IMEX Association Day is organised with the extensive participation and support of several of the world’s leading industry associations - ICCA, AIPC, IAEM, ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership, ESAE, IAPCO and DMAI*.

The next Association Day will take place on Monday 16 April 2007.