IMEX, held inFrankfurtfor the 10th time from May 22 to 24, could boast a successful run when the gates finally closed. Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX group, happily reported an increase by 21 percent in the number of individual business talks that were held during the three days of the fair and recorded in the appointment system of IMEX. Overall, more than 64,000 talks were held between purchasers and exhibitors. 40,000 of these meetings brought the exhibitors together with individual clients, the remainder were collective appointments.
Bloom also confirmed that about 4,000 “hosted buyers” took part in IMEX 2012. A total of around 9.000 visitors came from all over the world. Overall, feedback was positive about the high quality of the purchasers. Bloom explained that the number of appointments was an important indicator of business success because it reflects face-to-face meetings planned in advance between purchasers and exhibitors at the stands.
The 10th IMEX also offered the most ambitious training programme so far: Almost 140 different seminars, workshops and short “campfire” meetings were held. These information “campfires” were introduced last year to permit personal discussions with experts in the trade fair hall. The feedback showed that this idea was well received by the participants: Their need for high-quality training combined with an opportunity to network was plain to see. Events on the topics of social media, innovative event design and sustainability in the meeting and event sector draw especially many participants. Also many of the German-language seminars that the GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. had organised were very well attended.
Bloom explained: “Without doubt, the range and quality of our training programme is a hallmark of IMEX. It boosts the value added for participants in the trade fair. We will therefore review and further develop the programme of seminars and information events to ensure that good contents are provided in a fresh and interesting way and therefore meet the sector’s needs.”
