IMEXlive, the 24-hour virtual ‘window onto the show’ devised by IMEX in Frankfurt and launched at the trade show last year, returns once again for IMEX 2014, thanks to a new sponsorship agreement with Hilton Worldwide and The Events Network on BOB.tv.
The new deal means the value-added online service will spring to life once again during IMEX in May, and also at IMEX America in Las Vegas in October.
The colourful, pop-up platform is designed to tell the story of the show as it happens through words, pictures, and videos. The IMEXlive portal will be the first screen that visitors to the IMEX website see during the show, which opens on May 20th at Messe Frankfurt.
Although intended for those who cannot be at the tradeshow, industry reaction to the portal was extremely positive last year. Exhibitors appreciated the added marketing reach and visibility it provided while buyers used it to track key events, show information and news feeds. Images, comments and statistics also provided valuable post-show data for IMEX’s Return on Investment (ROI) reporting.
IMEXlive 2014 will be sited on a single platform powered by Postano. It will include live blogging mixed with a ‘social media mash-up,’ which will combine all #IMEX14 hashtag mentions into an interactive website. Co-sponsors Hilton Worldwide and The Events Network on BOB.tv will provide additional thought leadership and video content.
Onsite IMEX Social Team
The @IMEXSocialTeam also returns for 2014 with its members on a mission to provide support and encouragement to exhibitors and visitors while also taking entertaining pictures. They will be sponsored by leading mobile-based social photo booth providers, Pixe Social. A photo caption competition will encourage deeper engagement and healthy rivalry between exhibitors and other participants.
Speaking about their decision to support IMEXlive, Mark Komine, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales – Americas of Hilton Worldwide explained: “In our hyper-connected world, we’re seeing a merger of online communities with real-world meetings and events. While nothing replaces face-to-face connections, that trend allows virtual experiences like IMEXlive to enhance what is already happening in-person while also expanding and extending the impact of the event. With our view that greater human interaction enriches lives and moves the world forward, Hilton Worldwide is proud to partner with the IMEX team on this programme.”
Tony Lorenz, CMM, Co-Founder, BOB.tv added the following: “”The Events Network on BOB.tv is designed to shine a bright light on many of our industry’s most important educational moments, making content available to those individuals around the world who simply cannot attend. We are pleased to partner with Hilton Worldwide and IMEX to deliver one of those important moments to the entire industry.”
IMEX’s Senior Online Community Manager Miguel Neves also shared his thoughts on the project: “The new version of IMEXlive is a major development of the platform and allows us to give the online audience a real taste of the buzz that can be felt on the show floor. IMEXlive combines cutting-edge technology with creative human interaction to create a socially-driven platform that shows the online world what IMEX is all about.”
IMEXlive goes live on Tuesday May 21 at www.imex-frankfurt.com and will remain live for one week after the show.
All IMEX participants are invited to join the conversation and contribute by using the show hashtag #IMEX14.
