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MARKET MARKE NEWS
IMEX launches
new US show in 2011
A
brand new trade show for the US meetings
industry was announced in Las Vegas recently by
Ray Bloom, chairman of the
IMEX Group.
Mr Bloom was joined by Bruce
MacMillan, chief executive officer of
Meeting Professionals International
(MPI), IMEX America’s strategic
partner and Chris Meyer, vicepresident
of sales for the Las Vegas
Convention and Visitors Authority
(LVCVA) in announcing the launch
of IMEX America – America’s
worldwide exhibition for incentive
travel, meetings and events.
The new show will take place
at the Sands Expo Convention
Centre at the Venetian/Palazzo
from 11-13 October 2011, and
will benefit from a strategic
partnership with MPI, as well as a broad
coalition of industry support. It will be run as part
of the IMEX group of exhibitions and, as such, will
be characterised by an uncompromising focus on
business, international hosted buyer programmes and
industry-wide collaboration.
IMEX America will benefit from the widespread
support of the industry’s biggest and most powerful
associations.
SITE (the leading association worldwide for incentive
travel and motivational events) will hold its 2011 annual
conference immediately following the first show from
13-15 October, while ICCA (International Congress &
Convention Association), DMAI (Destination Marketing
Association International), AIPC (International
Association of Congress Centres) and ECM (European
Cities Marketing) will all add their support through
a number of marketing and educational initiatives.
In addition, ASAE (American Society of Association
SITE has selected Las Vegas, Nevada, US to be
the host of the SITE International Conference
2011, set for 13 – 15 October. The international
conference will be held immediately following the
debut of IMEX America – America’s worldwide
exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.
Brenda Anderson, chief executive officer, said:
“SITE has a long-term strategic partnership with
IMEX. Our vision in these challenging times is to hold
our events where attendees can minimise their costs
and maximise their education, networking and ROI. It
is perfect synergy to hold our event at the conclusion
46 incentiveworld.com Vol. 9 No. 4 2009
Ray Bloom
Executives) will organise dedicated association-led
education on the day before the show. Further industry
partnerships will be announced in
the coming months.
Speaking at the press conference
at the Venetian/Palazzo Meetings
Hotel, Mr Bloom explained: “IMEX
America will deliver the largest-scale
hosted buyer programme in North
America, where top meetings and
incentive buyers from across the US
and the world will travel and stay
free as our guests. For the inaugural
show in 2011, we are forecasting
1 500 hosted buyers, of whom 80
per cent will originate from within
North America – the balance
arriving from across the world. We
will also conduct large-scale visitor
marketing campaigns to attract
several thousand more key decision-makers
from across the country.”
Speaking as IMEX America’s strategic partner, Mr
MacMillan commented: “MPI has a strong history
of partnership with the leading players in the global
meetings industry. As a long-time partner of the IMEX
Group, we are honoured to be the strategic partner
in IMEX America to provide compelling educational
experiences to the entire meetings and event industry as
part of this tremendous new marketplace opportunity.”
Commenting on the trade show’s chosen location, Mr
Meyer stated: “We are delighted that IMEX America’s
home will be here in Las Vegas. With more than 140 000
hotel rooms, superb transport connections from across
the US and growing direct international links, we are
confident that Las Vegas will provide IMEX America
with a truly outstanding, long-term home.” �
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SITE goes to Las Vegas in 2011
of this exciting new industry-wide gathering.”
SITE is the global authority connecting motivational
experiences with business results.
The SITE international conference brings industry
leaders and thinkers together to focus on providing
necessary tools and knowledge for professionals to
cultivate success in today’s global marketplace.
The SITE international conference 2010 will take
place in Cape Town, South Africa in December
2010. �
For more information circle 29 on reader enquiry
coupon.
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