IMEX opens with a bang

The largest travel fair in the world for meetings, incentive travel, conferences, exhibitions and events (MICE) was opened in Frankfurt for the 11th year, on 21 May, with massive participation of exhibitors and hosted buyers. Sri Lanka Convention Bureau together with SriLankan Airlines took part in the fair taking the MICE industry members with them. “This years’ participation was mainly targeted on incentive travel segments, for which Sri Lanka has a lot of strengths,” Convention Bureau General Manager Vipula Wanigasekera said.

“The growing importance and increased understanding of meetings, and motivational travel and events as a driver of economic growth and a creator of local knowledge economies is just one of the issues we will be discussing later at macro level, and this advocacy event has built-up considerable momentum and authority over the years,” IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom said.

IMEX 10 foresight research, the final parts of which are being presented here this week, also shows that there’s a strong consensus on the need to measure, and communicate the strategic and macro-economic contribution that business events play, in facilitating knowledge-based industries and

driving long-term growth in local and national economies.

IMEX in Frankfurt is a worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events which brings in over 3,500 exhibitors from 157 countries, representing national and regional tourist offices, major hotel groups, airlines, destination management companies, service providers, trade associations and more. Around 4,000 hosted buyers from more than 60 world markets are expected to be present at this year’s IMEX.

“We would like to beat our competitors by offering the potential buyers beyond traditional locations, because we could not only offer new locations but also different types of attractions, in order to entice the incentive houses and meeting planners,” Wanigasekera continued.

Sri Lankan Airlines is led by Regional Manger Europe, UK and North America Kaushal Seneviratne and the industry consists of the MICE experts; Connaissance de Ceylan, Aitken Spence Travels, Sunway Holidays, Jetwing Events, Sri Lanka Express, Golden Isle Travels, Eco Team/Beyond Boundaries, Lanka Exhibitions and Conference Services, and Nkar Travels and Tours. The exhibition will continue till 23 May, paving way for business contacts being established and contracts signed for various MICE tours.