In his first interview as International Confex’s new event manager, James Samuel tells Conference News about his plans for the meetings and events industry show and the massive opportunities for the industry post-Olympic Games.
What experience are you bringing to the new role and what has been your biggest achievement in the industry to date?
For the last 10 years I have been working with Reed Exhibitions on various travel shows. From 2003 to 2008 I worked on Reed’s Meetings portfolio, this included working with customers across the globe to better understand their business needs and in turn create bespoke packages that meet these requirements. I was also involved in the launch of GIBTM in Abu Dhabi and the re-engineering of CIBTM in Beijing, both of which required a real understanding of the local market, cultural differences and working practices. And from 2008 to 2011 I have worked on Reed’s Luxury Travel Portfolio in an event management capacity.
My greatest achievement and one that I feel is central to success is creating and working in a fantastic team and I’m looking forward to working with the team at International Confex.
What is the attraction of International Confex and how is it important to the UK meetings industry in 2012?
Confex is, and always has been, the premier show in this industry for UK buyers; it’s a massive brand and one that I’ve always had a great deal of respect for. This is a really exciting time to join Confex; there is a genuine vision for the show and one that I want to be a part of.
2012 is obviously a huge year for the UK Meetings industry with the hosting of the biggest event on the planet – the Olympic Games. Confex will play a huge role in showcasing the best meeting and event planners andsuppliers in the industry on both a domestic and International stage. However I believe the Olympic legacy post the games will be an enormous opportunity for the industry – you only have to look at Barcelona as a casestudy post 1992 Olympics.
In this environment the UK needs a show that both reflects and represents the very best of the industry and becomes a force for industry growth during 2012 and beyond.
How do you propose making your mark on the show and what new directions do you envisage for it?
With the show only four months away, my main priority is delivering a great show. This year’s exhibition is looking really strong, not least the hosted buyer and loyalty programmes, the launch of the International Outdoor Expo and now the incorporation of RSVP. I will be ensuring these initiatives are effectively executed during the show.
I will also be looking to meet with as many exhibitors, visitors and show stakeholders as possible, working closely with them to enable International Confex to remain their premier meeting place for the industry, not just in 2012 but beyond.
I’m keen to continue the momentum through 2012 and into future shows to make sure we are offering the very best product to our visitors and exhibitors. We want to make sure every buyer has the choice of services to suit the needs of their event, whereverthey hold it.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your new role?
International Confex has remained the undisputed leader for the UK market by listening to its clients and this is an ever-changing and evolving process. The biggest opportunity I have is to gather the leading figures in the UK industry and listen to how they see their show moving forward and continuing to deliver a return on investment for our exhibitors, hosted buyers and visitors.
The timescale until the 2012 is quite short for you to make any big change in direction; is it a case of waiting until 2013 to put a personal stamp on the show?
There are lots of exciting things happening for International Confex 2012 and I will be looking to ensure that these are delivered.
The meetings industry’s trade show universe is undergoing significant transformation: We have the Business Travel Show in new hands; a new launch in the UK Venues Show and RSVP brought into the Confex fold. How do you see the line-up changing going forward?
Having many different meetings events in the UK, whether they be exhibitions, events, or other gatherings is healthy exposure for the industry as a whole. If shows can co-exist then that is great, but the most important thing is to focus on is the visitor; they’re often short on time and with a clear vision for their event, I think we need to be careful not to saturate the market, confuse our visitor and reduce value for exhibitors.
As International Confex is the culmination of the Britain for Events campaign, we believe Excel Londonoffers us the opportunity to build a suite of events that represents the entire industry and meets all the needs of the various buyers all under one roof.
We will continue to work hard to maintain our position as a leading event designed for event organisers, demonstrating why International Confex the must attend event in the UK.
Any other original thoughts on Confex, your strategy or views on the UK meetings industry?
My initial thoughts are of course to deliver a successful International Confex 2012 and embed myself into the industry. I have some great ideas and strategies for both the show and the UK meetings industry as a whole.
I very much look forward to sharing these with you in due course.
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