Organisers of IMEX in Frankfurt, together with research partners, Fast Future Research, are inviting students from all over the world to enter a prestigious new essay competition as part of its important new ‘Power of 10’ research study. The Power of 10 study is designed to commemorate the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry trade show’s 10th anniversary in 2012 and, at the same time, the essay competition gives students with an eye to working in the industry a valuable opportunity to get themselves and their ideas noticed.
The competition is open to full and part-time students over the age of 18 studying at an academic institution anywhere in the world. It invites them to submit either their ideas and visions for how the meetings industry will evolve over the next 10 years or a real life case study detailing how a particular destination is already preparing in an innovative way for the next decade. The competition picks up on the objectives of the Power of 10 study, which will take a look back 10 years and take a vital look forward over the same period by interviewing 100 meetings and non-meetings industry professionals, be they established and known leaders or personalities, rising stars or influencers.
Two winning submissions will be chosen from all the entrants. Their prize will include free travel to IMEX in Frankfurt this May 22 – 24, two nights’ accommodation and participation in the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum during the show where they will take the stage to present a summary of their findings. Their winning submissions will also be published on the IMEX in Frankfurt website and shared virally via social media. Each student will also be presented with a Certificate of Special Achievement by IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom, with coverage in the show’s Daily Paper which is read by thousands of exhibitors and buyers attending the award-winning trade show. The 10 best entries will also be published as part of the final Power of 10 research report, the findings of which will be presented during IMEX in Frankfurt and also circulated globally thereby giving students an unparalleled international platform and further, strong incentive to participate.
Says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group: “This is a really exciting opportunity in a landmark year for two students to really make their mark on the industry and to get noticed by prospective employers and industry leaders. We are looking for ideas, visions and case studies that are going to get the industry talking and that demonstrate strong, clear communication skills. That means showing imagination, flair and enthusiasm for everything the global meetings industry stands for, and a sense of – or desire to – influence its future direction. Given the tough economic climate we are all working in, this is a great chance for a couple of students to take the spotlight and stand out from the crowd. I urge any students who are serious about pursuing a career in the meetings, events or incentive travel sectors to enter. By doing so they will get a tremendous chance to put themselves ahead of the pack and accelerate their careers.”
All essays must be presented in English only and should be no more than 1500 words long. Entries must be received by midnight GMT March 9th 2012. Winning entries will be announced by March 30th 2012. For full details and conditions of entry, see http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/studentcasestudy.html
Rohit Talwar, project director of the Power of 10 study and CEO of Fast Future Research, added: “This is a very exciting time for the business meetings and events industry. The pace of innovation is picking up globally as the sector responds to emerging opportunities and a rapidly changing business climate. Young talent is being given an ever greater voice in the sector and the future of the industry lies in the hands of these young innovators – we look forward to seeing their ideas on how the industry might evolve in the decade ahead.”
The IMEX Power of 10 research study will be conducted by Fast Future Research who run the highly acclaimed Convention 2020 study on the future of business events. The founding sponsors of the study are four organisations that have worked closely with IMEX in Frankfurt since the show’s launch. They are: IMEX’s strategic partner, the German Convention Bureau (GCB); the show’s venue – Messe Frankfurt; its ground-handlers, CPO Hanser and the Frankfurt Tourist Office.
