This year's IMEX in Frankfurt

This traditional trade fair, one of the most significant events in the meetings industry, took place in Frankfurt in Germany between 25 and 27 May 2010. Chair of the IMEX group, Ray Bloom, said that in the last couple of years the meetings industry had grapples with many challenges in various areas, including the economy.

Of the overall number of guests, 3,800 were buyers from 60 countries and markets, while the total number of visitors surget to almost 9,000. The ambience was confident and positive and even though the first day of the trade fair was a little quiet, the second day was astonishing and it was evident that business is still thriving despite difficult economic conditions.

The Head of the Croatian Convention and Incentive bureau, Nik Racic, commented on the second day: "We have 25 exhibitors at the Croatian National Stand who have reported a 10 to 12 per cent increase in business compared to last year."

The was an interest in some destinations and trends are also evident in the meetings industry. What's more, interestingly, there are more exhibitors from smaller companies, agencies, resorts and CVB's. For some countries, such as Lithuania, it was their first presentation at IMEX.

IMEX organisers have announced revolutionary news: as of 2011, a further IMEX trade fair - IMEX America - will take place in Las Vegas.

Our publications, MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE magazines, was, once again, the Media Partner of the trade fair. The new look of our magazines has found increased interest from readers. We have gained new readers not only from Europe, but also from from Japanese and Singapore-based companies. The Imex Daily Newspaper contained an interview with our publisher about promoting Central and Eastern European countries.

Next year's IMEX is set to take place between 24 and 26 May 2011.