The need for meetings destinations to actively communicate their growth plans, plus rising concerns over competition from new markets are two issues of political concern highlighted in a new MICE industry report published today, Monday 12 July 2004.

The report documents the debate and subsequent recommendations of this year's IMEX Politicians' Forum, which was held in Frankfurt in May.

IMEX, the worldwide exhibition for the incentive travel, meetings and events industry launched its first Politicians' Forum last year as part of its New Vision Programme. The programme is designed to stimulate informed debate and create momentum for genuine, measurable change in specific areas of behaviour and best practice in the industry.

Although many organisations have launched political initiatives in the past, IMEX is focussing specifically on achieving change and better understanding at grassroots political level throughout Europe.

The Politicians' Forum was attended by 21 specially invited local, regional and national level politicians and was facilitated by British MP, John Greenway. The report shows that an afternoon session devoted to four case studies (Biarritz, Geneva, Brussels and the International Fertilizer Industry Association, IFA) followed by a session of open debate with several heads of industry associations proved an excellent format for bringing issues 'alive'.

The report details each of the case studies presented and recounts several illuminating stories about the positive influence of local politicians on the meetings and events industry. One such example, from Luc Mearne of the IFA, describes how the association received a personal invitation from the head of Qatar state to hold a meeting there, with the promise to facilitate anything they wished.

"These sorts of gestures have virtually died out in Europe but they are alive in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. It makes my participants feel important when somebody comes to welcome us on behalf of the government," he said.