Following the successful test and roll-out of a new, single email inbox for hosted buyers at IMEX America last year, the IMEX Group is introducing the same concept for all hosted buyers at IMEX in Frankfurt 21- 23rd May 2013.
The new online tool works by amalgamating all exhibitor communications to a given buyer into an inbox on the IMEX website. Buyers receive a single daily email alert directing them to the online inbox which can be searched by keyword, exhibitor name and subject line. Appointments can be made directly from the messages within the inbox. At the same time the buyers’ diaries have been completely updated with a fresh new user-interface reducing the number of clicks to make an appointment from 7 to 3. In this way, email volumes are greatly reduced for buyers and appointment making is easier, quicker and more productive.
Says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group: “This is one of the most important online developments we’ve made for IMEX buyers in recent years. It was warmly welcomed in the US so we expect a similar reaction to its simplicity and user-friendliness for our Frankfurt show. We know that buyers are extremely busy and the best way we can help them maximise their business ROI from the show is to make planning and preparation as simple, targeted and as quick as possible.”
Other new innovations for buyers include a new Networking Hub on the show floor to help them meet and find peers, a new educational forum for corporate planners – Exclusively Corporate @IMEX, a redesigned educational programme including a new Research Pod at the Inspiration Centre and hundreds of new exhibitors from both established and emerging destinations.
Last year IMEX in Frankfurt attracted just short of 4000 meetings, incentive travel and events industry hosted buyers from 71 countries. Total attendance over the three days, including trade visitors, was 14,143. Over 64,000 business appointments took place between buyers and exhibitors during the show, 40,000 of which were made between individual buyers and exhibitors (the remainder being group appointments).
Registration is free. To register as a visitor go to http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php. Buyers interested in becoming hosted should contact the hosted buyer team at: hosted@imexexhibitions.com.
