The 10th annual IMEX in Frankfurt trade show ended on a high note, according to the IMEX Group, which announced yesterday that the 2012 show — which took place May 22-24 in Frankfurt, Germany — saw a 21 percent increase in the number of individual buyer appointments with exhibitors. All told, more than 64,000 appointments took place over three days, 40,000 of which were made by individual instead of group buyers.
"The show's been very busy," exhibitor Amy Riley of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority said during the show. "Appointments have increased from 180 last year to 250 this year, which is huge. We're meeting a great variety of planners."
The volume of appointments wasn't the only positive number from Frankfurt. According to IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom, nearly 9,000 people — including just under 4,000 hosted buyers — attended this year's show, where they had the option of participating in nearly 140 separate education sessions.
"Without doubt the scope and quality of our education program now marks IMEX out," Bloom said. "It allows all of our participants to prove even stronger ROI so we will continue to review and develop the show's education to ensure that it keeps delivering good content in the new and exciting formats that the industry demands."
For many, the highlight of this year's show was the special "Celebration Hour" on May 23, during which exhibitors were encouraged to provide entertainment, food and drink to create a "party atmosphere" on the show floor.
"It was a great pleasure to see the show floor come alive even more during our special Celebration Hour this year — and to see so many exhibitors entering the party spirit with great hospitality and entertainment," said Bloom, who took the opportunity to extend thanks to IMEX partners, intermediaries and press for a successful first 10 years. "All have played their part in helping us to grow and develop IMEX since our launch in 2003. We know that we and our clients can rely on them for their exceptional levels of service, efficiency, creativity and partnership. We value them, and look forward to continuing that relationship over the next 10 years here in Frankfurt."