IMEX announced a significant growth in the numbers of hosted buyers expected to travel to IMEX 2007 from Australia, China, India and the US in particular.

The award-winning exhibition for the international meetings, incentive travel and conference industry has expanded its long-haul hosting programme through a considerable increase in the number of intermediaries who will be bringing groups from these markets; at the same time as developing its already strong presence amongst European hosted buyers.

The continued strength of its partnership with official airline, Lufthansa, is reflected in a total of 85 international gateways up from 62 - now being used to fly hosted buyers to IMEX from around the world.

Of these, 15 will fly out of the USA, which further consolidates IMEX’s foothold in this strategically important market. A corresponding growth in the number of new American intermediaries means that US buyers will attend in larger numbers than before.

Long-standing European partners including Intercontinental Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the GCB (German Convention Bureau), Euromic,

Rezidor Hotels and NH Hotels will all now bring new groups of hosted buyers from the USA; as well as Air Tahiti Nui, Iceland Air and Delivering America. New partners Experient, Sydney Convention Bureau, Not-for-Profit and Allied Europe have also all committed to bringing hosted buyer groups from longer-haul markets across the globe.

The world’s largest site selection agency, HelmsBriscoe International, has also strengthened its commitment by promising up to 85 buyers and, for the first time, their associates will be accompanied by their high level corporate clients.

According to IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, it is a sign of sustained market confidence that the majority of hotel groups represented at IMEX will be increasing the size of their hosted buyer groups for 2007.

“This is a testament to the way we’ve been able to develop these relationships, the value that they have achieved through IMEX and also to their own belief that the market still promises growth that’s yet to be unlocked,” he said.

The Eastern European appetite for participation has also grown measurably for 2007. Buyers from Russia, the Ukraine and Poland have all shown a strong desire to use IMEX as a platform for exploring the international conference, meetings and incentive travel market. In total, IMEX organisers are expecting over 3,500 hosted buyers this year, amongst an overall visitor total of more than 7,500.

IMEX has grown by more than 50% since the inaugural exhibition in 2003 and exhibitors continue to demonstrate their belief in the business that IMEX delivers by increasing their presence at the trade show.

For 2007, exhibitors from around the world have already confirmed their commitment by booking more space, demonstrating the global appeal of the exhibition. Such increases include Argentina who have increased their stand by 67% and Hilton Hotels & Resorts which will take 61% more space.

Other strong increases have come from last year’s inaugural Green Exhibitor Award winners, Sri Lanka; as well as Mexico, Russia, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Slovenia and Romania.

Working closely with strategic partners, the GCB, IMEX has given fresh impetus to its marketing efforts within Germany for 2007. Its direct mail campaign will be significantly expanded in both numbers of buyers targeted and frequency and new partners will join the promotional activities.

IMEX and the GCB also plans to address the specific characteristics of the German market, such as the growing buying power and influence of German Business Travel Managers and Marketing Managers, by targeting them more forcefully.

Of special interest will be the German-language seminar programme which will offer more than double the number of sessions to these different market groups; as well as offering sessions for different experience levels.

Says IMEX Marketing and Operations Director, Carina Bauer, “Our aim has always been to extract the fullest possible value from the German market. This year we’ve put a lot of additional resources into raising our profile and awareness amongst some powerful new groups to make sure we achieve this ambition.”

IMEX Association Day, in association with ICCA, AIPC, IAPCO, ESAE, IAEM, DMAI, ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership, will also see fresh developments this year.

Following visitor feedback, a ‘VAT Doctor’ will be on hand for consultation by association meeting planners and a session exploring the key to successful association management - based on comprehensive research by ASAE and the Center - will run twice during the afternoon.

In addition, the German association programme will be expanded to incorporate two dedicated panel sessions and up to 5 round-table discussions and is now endorsed by the DGVM (German Society for Association Management).

More than 250 association executives are expected to attend, whilst the enormously popular evening networking dinner will bring together over 750 IMEX exhibitors and association buyers in a function hosted by the organisers.

In a year when climate change has dominated global news headlines, IMEX continues to demonstrate MICE market leadership in this area.

All participants at IMEX 2007 will be encouraged to use a carbon offset programme to ‘neutralise’ the environmental impact of travelling to the exhibition; whilst IMEX itself continues to off-set their own staff travel throughout the year.

The Corporate Responsibility Centre will again provide detailed information and advice to companies and individuals wishing to learn more about both environmental and community improvement programmes.

The IMEX exhibitor manual will also highlight the growing number of suppliers with ‘green’ products and services to offer in an effort to encourage their use during the exhibition.

Applications for IMEX’s Green Awards, including its Green Meetings Award, Commitment to the Community Award and Green Exhibitor Award, will close on 15th January and 28th February 2007 respectively.

Other IMEX New Vision initiatives which will run during the show include the Women’s Forum (moderated by Pat Durocher, MD of HelmsBriscoe International), the Politicians’ Forum, a Cross Cultural Skills workshop focussing on working in the emerging markets, the Future Leaders Forum for students, a new-look Professional Development Pavilion and the Wild Card Pavilion for new destinations.

With the fifth IMEX due to start on 17 April 2007 in Messe Frankfurt’s Hall 8, Chairman, Ray Bloom, still has plans for more enhancements and developments.