exhibitions: IMEX reports: 1,500 hosted buyers for IMEX America
1,500 hosted buyers for IMEX America
IMEX Group has laid down plans to offer the largest ever hosted buyer programme at a US trade show when it launches IMEX America next year.
The new show, taking place in the Sands Expo, Las Vegas, October 11-13, 2011, will deliver 1,500 internationally focused hosted buyers representing the association, corporate and agency sectors.
“I have thought for a very long time that there was a need for a show in the Americas that encompassed corporate meetings and association meetings, supported by a major hosted buyer programme,” Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group, told meetme.
“I was speaking to at least four North American cities during the ICCA conference in Florence, Italy in November. Each one of the four said they were looking at record numbers for 2011, which is obviously great news.”
It is forecast that 80 percent of the hosted buyers will come from all parts of the USA with 20 percent from other international markets.
Association buyers will be a key focus with several association-related events scheduled into the IMEX America programme, including a ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) educational event and an IMEX America association evening.
According to Bloom, a delegation of Middle East hosted buyers is also on the cards. “What we’ve normally done for IMEX Frankfurt is worked closely with hotel groups, and then some corporate agencies, so I believe we will use the same process,” he explained.
Bloom also anticipates a Middle East presence on the exhibitor side.
IMEX America will be the cornerstone to a week of meeting industry events. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) will deliver a range of educational events surrounding the exhibition and Site will hold its annual conference immediately following the exhibition.
