The ITMA is to create a platform that will enable respected economists and representatives of key industry sectors to address the threats and opportunities for the international events industry in the light of current and future conditions.  

Taking place on October 30 at BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts), The ITMA Forum will include keynote presentations by prominent figures from the UK business community.

The keynote address will be given by economist Adrian Cooper, Director of World Forecasting for OEF(Oxford Economic Forecasting). Senior representatives from the major events buying sectors – including pharmaceutical, telecoms, automotive and financial services – will form a panel of corporate voices to compare their respective applications of face-to-face marketing and communications as tools to withstand the cooling economic climate.

Said ITMA Chairman, Roger Harvey: ‘With further spending cuts predicted by major telecoms operators, job losses in the City and cost-cutting announcements appearing in the business pages, we know that market conditions are extremely challenging right now. It is essential that the events industry should monitor how its client industry sectors are deploying their marketing spend, so that we can adapt our own offer to meet their needs’.

The Association intends that this, the first ITMA Forum will be an industry-wide event and is inviting members of the other events industry trade bodies to participate.

‘Once the inaugural meeting has got off the ground, we will establish The ITMA Forum as a twice-yearly opportunity to analyse and forecast business trends that will impact on organisers of conferences, product launches, corporate entertainment and other face-to-face marketing events’, added Harvey.

Booking and sponsorship details for The ITMA Forum are available on the Association’s website or via the ITMA Conference Office on +44(0)20 8334 6514.