3,400 international buyers in IMEX 2006

Figures announced the past 5th of December for the next IMEX exhibition in Messe Frankfurt, which will be held from May 30 to June 1 2006, reflect a significant exhibitor growth for the 4th consecutive year, as well as hosting 3,400 international buyers to Frankfurt, within an overall total of 7,500 trade visitors.

Spain will now take one of the largest stands at IMEX with 600 square metres. In line with Middle Eastern market growth, Dubai and Jordan have also increased their presence, while Ras Al Khaimah, an emerging Gulf destination, has nearly quadrupled its stand size. South American exhibitors, Argentina, Chile and Brazil will also be represented on bigger stands at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition.

Destinations such as Taiwan and Turkey have also significantly enlarged their exhibition space, as have several eastern European countries including Hungary, Romania, Lithuania and Poland.

Representation by the major hotel groups will also be higher next year with Abama Hotels, Conrad Hotels, Concorde Hotels, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Grecotel, Hilton International and Marriott International all increasing their space at the exhibition. Hotel groups who will be increasing space by over 40% include Boscolo Hotels Spa, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts and Ritz Carlton.

IMEX organisers are forecasting the attendance of 3,400 international hosted buyers, with 10 per cent coming from long-haul markets such as North America, Canada, Middle East, Australia, Thailand and China. The IMEX hosted buyer programme also includes big airline companies, such as Emirates Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United, Malaysian Airlines and British Airways.

More than 250 international association planners are set to attend the IMEX Association Day the day prior to opening on Monday 29 May, and which will be followed by an evening networking event for 700 guests. New for 2006 will be a dedicated IT Lab to give association planners the chance to sample and view state of the art technology for association management.