IMEX America – America’s new worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events – will deliver the largest ever hosted buyer program at a US tradeshow. Following the launch of IMEX America, organisers the IMEX Group, confirm that the response from intermediaries around the world has been exceptionally strong.
The new show, taking place in the Sands Expo, Las Vegas, 11 – 13 October 2011, will deliver 1,500 internationally focused hosted buyers representing the association, corporate and agency sectors. The IMEX America hosted buyer program will bring targeted high quality buyers from across the United States and the rest of the world to meet and do business with both domestic as well as international exhibitors. It is forecast that 80% of the hosted buyers will come from all parts of the USA with 20% from other international markets.
Reflecting IMEX’s proven pedigree of building business-focused trade shows, association buyers will be a key focus. They will be attracted by the ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) educational event to be run exclusively for association buyers on the day before the show opens; followed by an IMEX America Association Evening. This format is set to mirror the success of Association Day run at the IMEX exhibition in Frankfurt and will ensure that hundreds of top association buyers are present when doors open on October 11 2011.
Speaking about the event, John H. Graham IV, CAE, President and CEO of ASAE & The Center said, “We look forward to working together with IMEX America to create an event filled with top notch education sessions. The meetings and hospitality industry is a major player in the economy of the United States and we are excited about partnering with such a distinguished organization.”
IMEX America’s broad coalition of industry partners will also deliver high level education targeting the corporate and agency markets. For example, IMEX America’s Strategic Partner, MPI (Meeting Professionals International) will deliver a range of newly created educational events surrounding the exhibition and Site (the leading association worldwide for incentive travel and motivational events) will hold their annual conference immediately following IMEX America.
Said Bruce MacMillan, MPI’s President and CEO, “MPI’s strategic partnership with IMEX America will design a uniquely co-created educational experience for buyers and sellers; delivering one of the richest and most provocative meeting and event marketplace gatherings in the world.”
The hosted buyer program, the association-led educational events, together with a major US visitor marketing campaign including attractive travel and accommodation packages will bring thousands of key buyers to the show being held in Las Vegas – one of the world’s leading destinations for meetings and incentive travel.
Ray Bloom Chairman of the IMEX Group commented, “The hosted buyer program will once again be the backbone of our success with IMEX America. Response and support from exhibitors, associations and hosted buyer intermediaries has been fantastic and we are looking forward to a very exciting run-up to the show. The feedback I have received from across the globe confirms that buyers and exhibitors alike are looking forward to 2011.”
