Other finalists in the same category included Australian, Middle Eastern and African events.
The organizers of worldwide meetings, incentive travel and events trade show, IMEX America, came away from the Exhibition News Awards – held in London last Thursday, 29 March – with the Best International Launch Award.
Explaining why IMEX America triumphed over some stiff competition, the judging panel summarized their decision as: "IMEX America ’nailed it’ as a show concept. It was a clear winner in terms of development of the brand and its success with its chosen industry - as well as against its competitors."
The panel – comprising organizers, venue and supplier representatives – declared this year’s competition "incredibly tough" and said "competition across our 20 categories this year, including 10 company and 10 people awards, reflected the diversity and significant achievements made in the past year."
The awards, which are run annually by Mash Media, publishers of magazines and directories for the event, exhibition, meetings and conference sectors, saw 850 guests gathered for dinner and presentations in the newly renovated West Hall at London’s Olympia.
The Best International Launch category was new for 2012 and intended to recognize the achievement of one UK-based organizer who successfully launched an existing brand or new product in a market outside of the UK.
IMEX America debuted on October 11, 2011, at the Venetian Palazzo/Sands Expo in Las Vegas. It combined a three-day trade show with one day dedicated to professional education – Smart Monday – immediately prior to the opening. An exit survey of IMEX America hosted buyers revealed that total orders placed onsite amounted to $281 million with an expected $1.9 billion worth of orders to be placed with exhibitors in the nine months that followed.
Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group said, "We are honored to have been voted as the Best International Launch Exhibition at the Exhibition News Awards. We would like to thank our industry colleagues from across the world for helping to ensure that our inaugural show was so successful. We are looking forward to building on this success for 2012 and beyond."
The other finalists in the Best International Launch Award category were: Aidex - Centaur Exhibitions; Grand Designs Live Australia - Media 10 and Diversified Exhibitions Australia; IFSEC Arabia and OSH Expo Arabia – UBM; IFSEC West Africa - UBM Montgomery and Occupational Safety and Health Expo Africa - UBM Montgomery.
The next edition of IMEX America will be held in Las Vegas from 9-11 October 2012.
