The idea for the IMEX Challenge Slovenia is to build a beehive within the grounds of an institute for mentally and physically disabled children and adults, the CUDV Draga.

The IMEX Challenge SLOVENIA will strive to blend environmental objectives with social causes and leave a sustainable legacy for the host community.

The idea for the 2012 event is to build a beehive within the grounds of an institute for mentally and physically disabled children and adults, the CUDV Training, Occupation and Care Centre in Draga. Valerija Bužan, Director of CUDV Draga, believes that the “IMEX Challenge will help mentally and physically disabled children and adults to expand their horizons and come to know new activities”. Anton Tomec of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association supported this view in adding that “by keeping bees and protecting the environment, protégés of CUDV will gain self-confidence and creatively integrate into society. Beekeeping will not only present a form of self-confirmation, but a way of life for these children and adults.”

Given honour to host IMEX Challenge

The Slovenian meetings community takes special privilege in hosting an event of such importance, touching the lives of people with disabilities at CUDV Draga and beyond.

Many destinations (as Slovenia) can boast an excellent, easy to reach location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, professional services, etc. »We believe our advantage is the people working in our industry and wider, the often neglected but very important human factor,« says Miha Kovačič, Director of Slovenian Convention Bureau. Indeed, Slovenia won the bid to host the IMEX Challenge 2012 in Ljubljana by revealing the five main elements of our meeting industry offer: Slovenian energy, team flexibility, 24h smile, personal touch and natural charm.

“IMEX Challenge presents a new opportunity for the Slovenian meeting providers to act as a team in developing new ideas on how best to enrich the project,” says Gorazd Čad, Director of Go.Mice agency. The ideas, synergies and partnerships can move boundaries of the IMEX Challenge Slovenia so that the meeting industry professionals, media and general public can engage and take part in enriching the lives of mentally and physically disabled children and adults.

Embracing the values of IMEX Challenge

“After considering a wide variety of CSR proposals”, says Ray Bloom, IMEX Chairman and Founder, “IMEX judges and staff voted to invite industry volunteers to join them in building a bee colony in Ljubljana”. Faye Bennett of IMEX Group shares her views.

What are the main reasons for hosting the second IMEX Challenge in Ljubljana, Slovenia?
The passion, enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by the Ljubljana Tourism/Convention Bureau and Slovenia Convention Bureau stood out from the other applications the IMEX Group received and we have already felt the benefit of this positive energy, although the project and its planning is still in the early stages. The Slovenian partners and local Challenge committee have also fully embraced the values of the IMEX Challenge and really understand what we are trying to do and why we are trying to do it. The partnership already looks really strong and promising.

How can the Slovenian meeting community contribute to achieving the objectives of IMEX Challenge?
It is important that the entire Slovenian meetings community recognises that the IMEX Challenge is something that they can be proud of and take ownership of. By spreading the word and promoting the event, they will also be generating exposure for their destination amongst a worldwide audience of buyers, associations and IMEX industry partners. Also, once the project is completed, the international volunteer team will effectively become ‘ambassadors’ for Ljubljana and Slovenia based on their experience during the Challenge.

How does IMEX Challenge impact the global meeting and event community?
The IMEX Challenge is our way of showing the industry what’s possible from a corporate social responsibility point of view. It is also the IMEX Group’s way (and the supporting sponsors) of giving back and clearly demonstrating that giving can be enormously rewarding for everyone involved. We believe strongly in the power of face-to-face too, so this is yet another way of getting people out from behind their desks and off their smart phones and, literally, getting their hands dirty for a good cause. It’s enormously rewarding on so many levels.

Getting involved

If you embrace the values of IMEX Challenge Slovenia and wish to get involved, apply for one of 15 volunteer places on the IMEX Challenge 2012.

“As an industry, we are particularly privileged and people genuinely want to give something back to others where they can,” says Faye Bennett of IMEX Group.

IMEX Challenge gives 15 volunteers the opportunity to join staff and patients of CUDV Draga in constructing the bee colony from scratch over the three days of the event. The Challenge therefore offers people an exciting, fun and rewarding way of giving back to society, as well as a new way to meet new industry friends and make lasting new contacts.

Anyone in interested in applying for one of 15 volunteer places on the IMEX Challenge 2012 should email Faye Bennett at faye.bennett@imexexhibitions.com.