Best Practice ForumBucharest, Romania

The Meeting & Events Industry - A Trade Show Organiser’s

Perspective

October 22nd 2008

Jon BradshawSenior Sales Manager, IMEX

What is IMEX?

What is IMEX?

IMEX 2009

Messe FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany

May 27–29 2009

www.imex-frankfurt.com

What Industry Are We?

• MICE• M&IT• C&IT• MC&IT• Meetings & Events• Corporate Travel• Incentive Travel

Types of Event• Meeting

• Incentive Trip

• Conference / Convention

• Exhibition / Exposition

• Corporate Event / Press Launch

Top Ten Reasons for Holding a Meeting / Conference

• Education• Training• Decision Making• Information Exchange• Research• Sales• Strategic Planning• Team Building• Product Launch• Problem Solving

The Value of The Meetings & Events Industry

MPI - $122 US Billion

ICCA - $11 US Billion

TTG Asia - $900 US Billion

Why Target This Sector?

• High spend per individual• $1500 short haul / $2500 long

haul • Uses a range of facilities

• Trips / spas / shopping / unusual venues

• Can provide income in shoulder or low season

• Offers destination credibility• Small buying community• Can effect leisure income

Why Target This Market?

The Story of ITMA 2003

(international textile machinery exhibition)

Partnership Approach

• NEC Group (Centre Exhibitions team)• Advantage West Midlands • Birmingham City Council• Birmingham Convention Bureau • MARCH (Midlands hotels, restaurants assoc.)• Marketing Birmingham• Regional destinations, attractions, hotels,• Transport operators – ITMA Travel - 350 shuttle

coaches to hotels

Show Facts

• 125,000 people attended over 8 open days

• 90% of visitors from overseas

• Representing 140 nations

Show Facts

• 20,000 exhibiting staff

• ITMA helped set new records for Birmingham Airport – busiest day ever,37,000 passengers

• survey of exhibitors found 77% agreed that:“ my experience of visiting Birmingham has exceeded my expectations”

National Economic Impact

• Total estimated UK additional spend

£110m

Source KPMG/JGMR

Current Factors / Trends

• Increased Competition• CSR• Security• The Economy!• Travel Advisories• Faster – Cheaper – Better• New Experiences• Shorter lead times

How to Succeed• Research• Understand the market• Work together regionally• Don’t be afraid to

change• Be creative• Fam / educational trips• On time delivery• International Marketing /

Representation• Attend trade shows

Key Points for success in this industry

Working TogetherAccept Change

Create / Support a CVB

Thank you