MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

This year IMEX organizers moved the date of the event date to late May – a month later than last year. The reasons for the postponement aren’t clear, nevertheless, IMEX was a great success – as it is every year. The third day of the exposition seemed quieter when compared to the first two hectic days that were filled with various meetings and business matters.

Overall, 8,902 professionals visited IMEX, of which 4,300 participants were from Germany. The number of invited buyers from remote destinations, such as Argentina, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Korea and Malaysia and others, rose by 50 percent. Similarly, the number of professionals from Russia, China and India also increased. The total number of Hosted Buyers reached 3,770 from 60 countries; 3,500 companies from 157 countries exhibited.

Naturally, our magazines had to be a part of such an important event. As a Media Partner of this trade fair, we distributed issues of GO CZECH REPUBLIC, TRY SLOVAKIA and WOW! HUNGARY to buyers at the Media Café.

Apart from the traditional statistics, what was apparent during the whole trade fair was an interest in “eco-friendly” principles.

Some ideas that might inspire you:

–         Hydroelectricity

–         Recycling paper name badges, bags and other marketing material

–         Polypropylene and jute bags that can be recycled during Association Day

–         Using 20 percent bio-diesel for the transport of invited buyers

–         Promoting rail transport to buyers

–         Giving a Green Award to companies and individuals who employ eco-friendly practices during their respective ventures

A selection from the recommendations given to experts, exhibitors, guests and visitors this year:

Walk by foot with a city map – as a representative of MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE I did adhere to this and I have to say that I was thus able to see and admire the greenery in Frankfurt, which is a natural component of the city centre and contributes greatly to the quality of life of its inhabitants.

I suggest sending Prague urban planners to compulsory workshops.