GERMANY - Post-show figures for this year’s IMEX indicate the meetings, incentive travel and events industry show in Frankfurt benefitted from increased attendance in both the long-haul and emerging meetings markets.
For the first time ever, buyers from the US represented the third highest proportion of hosted buyers, at almost 10 per cent, an increase attributed to IMEX's ongoing focus on developing relationships with US associations, and the launch next year of IMEX America.
Long-haul buyers made up nearly a quarter of the overall buyer mix at IMEX; a rise of 10 per cent compared to 2009. Eastern European buyers rose from 11.5 per cent to 14 per cent of the total.
The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) regions had a greater showing this year. Russia, previously the show's fifth largest buyer group, moved up to fourth place and 7.5 per cent of the total. Buyers from Brazil, China and India also attended in significant numbers for the first time, according to the organiser.
From the more established European markets German buyers accounted for 17 per cent of the total; UK 11 per cent; France six per cent; Italy 5.5 per cent; Switzerland four per cent; Spain and Belgium 3.5 per cent and the Netherlands three per cent.
The total number of visitors, including 3,870 hosted buyers and 5,035 trade visitors, was 8,905.
IMEX chairman Ray Bloom says his focus on attracting new buyers, especially from the US and strong emerging ‘BRIC’ markets appears to have been welcomed by exhibitors. “We continue to have a strong and purposeful vision for IMEX in Frankfurt and to develop partnerships with both existing and new intermediaries in Europe and around the world.
“I'm especially pleased that we can prove just how much business the show generates from all these buyers thanks to our unique, transparent and measurable online appointment and messaging tools."
