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The organising team behind global meetings, incentive travel and events exhibition, IMEX, was delighted to be one of four finalists invited to compete for this year’s Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s (UFI) “Best Innovative Web-based Applications for Exhibitors” Award by the UFI ICT Committee.
All finalists were invited to Madrid to present their case to the UFI ICT Focus Group meeting on 23rd September. Voting was decided by audience members following live 15-minute presentations. The eventual winners were Feria de Madrid.
Over the past two years IMEX has designed and developed three unique online tools, all intended to enhance communication, improve value and increase the amount of business conducted between buyers and exhibitors on the show floor. In 2009 IMEX proved it could generate measurably more new business by investing in technological development and innovation. As a result buyers and exhibitors exchanged 11,500 pre-appointment messages. Individual one-to-one business appointments rose by 6 per cent compared to the previous year, and 67 per cent of exhibitors surveyed immediately after the show agreed the enhanced IMEX website improved their performance at the exhibition.
Says IMEX Senior Manager – Online Services, Christopher Perrins: “Two years ago we made the decision to concentrate time and development resources on the IMEX online experience, knowing that, if we did it correctly, we could empower exhibitors to achieve more business with buyers. However, we also recognised that we needed to devote resources, both online and through face-to-face education so that exhibitors fully understood the potential of these improvements to impact on their appointment and new business generation at the show.
“We were delighted with the results and the feedback this year. Our nomination for the UFI Award proves just how far we have come. The way that IMEX operates online is now critical to our success and a clear source of competitive advantage.”
Rather than employing a traditional buyer/exhibitor matching service, IMEX’s three tools – the Virtual Exhibition; its Contact the Buyers Guide and the Online Diary and Integrated Messaging Service – provide more sophisticated, transparent and intuitive targeting.
Says Carina Bauer, IMEX Marketing and Operations Manager: “Together these tools combine to deliver exceptional communications and business power that’s significantly different from anything else in our industry.”
Commenting on the difference using these new tools made to their ability to generate business at IMEX, one exhibitor said: “Before the training, I had performed some pre-show marketing and we had about 5 appointments. Afterwards, I came back to the office and did everything else… and we now have 31 appointments which we are absolutely delighted with!”
Other finalists in the UFI “Best Innovative Web-based Applications for Exhibitors” Award were VNU Exhibitions Europe, Evenium and Feria de Madrid.
The next IMEX takes place 25th – 27th May 2010 at Messe Frankfurt. Every year 3,500 exhibitors from over 150 countries exhibit at IMEX in Frankfurt.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
