The 8th edition of IMEX will open on 25 May at Messe Frankfurt with its largest ever hosted buyer programme, and buyer, exhibitor and trade visitor targets all on course for year-on-year growth.
Forty-five new hosted buyer groups have been confirmed for IMEX 2010, many of which have come through key global hotel groups – including Marriott International, Mandarin Oriental, Kempinski, Hilton, Starwood, the Ritz, Rocco Forte, Concorde, Sol Melia and Leading Hotels of the World – who have expanded the regions from which they are delivering clients.
“We have spent the last 12 months concentrating on developing new partnerships with intermediaries who can deliver more high quality buyers from the most important and resilient long-haul markets,” explains IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom. “What is more, we have made sure that a large proportion of these buyers will be staying for three full days and also spending longer on the show floor, meeting and doing business with exhibitors.”
A total of 50 exhibitors have already increased their stand space with respect to 2009. From Europe, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Czech Tourism Authority, Romania, Serbia, Iceland, Meet Sicily and Figur Tourism will all have a larger presence at the show. Continued strength among Asian exhibitors is also demonstrated by increased space for Seoul, Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Indonesia and Japan. From the Middle East, Qatar and Discovery Jordan will be taking bigger stands, whilst further growth in the Latin American market has prompted Argentina and Uruguay to increase their stand space. Other larger exhibitors include St Petersburg Express, China, DMC South Africa and the Canadian Tourism Commission. Among the hotel groups, Rezidor, Ritz Carlton, Steigenberger, Möevenpick, Fairmont/Swissotel Raffles, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Rixos Hotels have also increased the size of their stands.
Hotels also account for a number of brand new exhibitors to IMEX 2010. These include Scandic Hotels and Albert Management, while Warwick Hotel International will be making a welcome return, along with Abercrombie & Kent with their biggest stand ever. Visitors will also see Columbia, Meeting Point International, Showcare, DMC4EU, Business on Cruise and Green Globe Tourism exhibiting for the first time.
Spain has once again increased its presence at IMEX, making it second only to the GCB Germany stand in terms of size. Spanish exhibitors now account for 800sqm, which includes separate stands for Valencia and Madrid for the first time this year.
As in previous years, Event Planner Spain will be attending IMEX. Those wishing to contact the company during the show should ring +34 610 520 838.
IMEX 2009
