A strong push by IMEX to extend and develop its global partnerships for the benefit of visitors and exhibitors alike means that the exhibition will play host to 60 international HelmsBriscoe delegates when its opens on May 30^th in Frankfurt.

With more than 750 associates in 31 countries, HelmsBriscoe is the world’s largest purchaser of group hotel rooms. The company brought its first delegation to IMEX in 2005 and, as a result of this highly successful first visit, both organisations agreed to look at ways to expand the size, scope and international representation of the delegation.

The outcome is a group that has nearly doubled in size with representatives from the USA, Jordan, Hungary, Bulgaria, France, the UK, Austria, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Denmark, Malta, India, Honduras, Singapore, Greece, Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.

As Managing Director of HelmsBriscoe International, Pat Durocher is responsible for the ongoing development and management of the Company’s network of Associates outside of the United States. 

She says, "We are thrilled to be working with IMEX again this year and are very pleased that we will have more than 60 HelmsBriscoe associates from 20 countries in attendance. In addition to the trade show, where we have set up a number of group appointments with various hotels chains, we are also taking advantage of our group being together and will be holding internal meetings, hotel training sessions and a client event on the Tuesday evening at the InterContinental Hotel Frankfurt.”

“From our perspective participating in IMEX is an ideal opportunity to meet with both our global clients and our hotel partners around the world. In addition, while our associate numbers and revenue continue to grow, we are always looking to add professionals to our network and we hope to be able to meet with some candidates during the week."

In reply, IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, comments, “Putting this delegation together has been a truly collaborative effort that’s been achieved with great professionalism and willingness on both sides. I am delighted that such a market-leading and influential global company as HelmsBriscoe has decided to increase its presence at IMEX and I look forward to personally welcoming every member of their party to Messe Frankfurt in May.”

In addition to the delegation, links between the two companies will be further consolidated this year when Pat Durocher addresses the Future Leaders Forum for the first time. She will discuss future trends and their likely impact on work opportunities for young people in the meetings, incentive travel, conferences and events industry worldwide. Durocher has also made a commitment to run the IMEX Women's Forum in 2007, while HelmsBriscoe will also be exhibiting at IMEX for the first time ever on stand G385.