Innovation, Growth to Steal the Thunder at IMEX 2008

Organizers of IMEX report increased participation from all sectors of the industry and from across the world, at this year’s Frankfurt show, April 22 to 24. Together with a rise in the number of hosted buyer groups and a forecast increase in the number of key German decision makers attending, IMEX organizers are predicting the busiest and largest IMEX to date.

The demand for extra stand space has been high from both new and existing exhibitors with more than 60 exhibitors having already increased their presence. Notable increases have been seen from across the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, Japan, Macau and Singapore.

From Eastern Europe, Bulgaria returns with a 76 percent larger stand, while Croatia, the Czech Republic, Montenegro and Slovakia are all increasing their presence. Other boosts in space have come from destinations as diverse as Argentina, France, Costa Rica, Germany, Greece, Malta, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Tunisia.

U.S. representation will also be higher with Las Vegas, Texas Tourism, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau joining established IMEX exhibitors New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City and Florida in a new centralized U.S. quarter.

IMEX organizers also report an increase in the participation of the leading hotel groups, with up to six new hotel groups including Capella Hotels & Resorts, Preferred Hotel Group and Prestige Hotels; plus increases seen from 13 hotel groups including Dolce International, NH Hotels and Steigenberger Hotels.

More than 450 hosted buyer groups are now confirmed for the exhibition, including many new groups from traditional European markets, plus long-haul markets of North America, the Middle East, Australia, China, Thailand and India.