The IMEX Group is pushing its agenda to get politicians to take more notice of the value of the international meetings industry and has issued a new public report on the findings of its IMEX Politicians Forum discussion held during IMEX in Frankfurt in May 2012. The Group has also issued a free three-minute video for download by destination and industry professionals, explaining the importance of lobbying local politicians.
“With meetings and business events integral to the development of knowledge-based economies and increasingly central to the prosperity and future growth of nations and cities around the world, the annual IMEX Politicians Forum in Frankfurt provides a platform to review industry progress,” the group says.
The latest report provides an overview of the Forum’s content in Frankfurt, including the case studies and papers presented by Business Events Sydney, Bordeaux, the European Society of Cardiology, Excel London, Germany, Mexico and San Diego.
The Forum had attracted over 120 participants, including political representatives and industry leaders and top speakers included Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of The Rocco Forte Hotels Group, and Nick de Bois, MP, Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events (pictured).
This year there were were 36 politicians and government officials from 16 countries: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South ica, Sweden and the UK.
Gloria Guevara Manzo, State Secretary of Tourism, Mexico, and member of President Calderon’s cabinet took part, speaking about her country’s continued growth and ambition. Manzo explained that Mexico’s goal is to become one of the world’s top five destinations by 2018 and recognised that meetings, incentive travel and events had a part to play in reaching that target.
Together with its three partner associations (AIPC, JMIC and European Cities Marketing), the IMEX Group hopes that destinations and convention and visitor bureaus in particular will use the report to encourage further political engagement in – and understanding of – the industry among their local political representatives. Its findings also demonstrate how far the industry has developed over the past 10 years.
At IMEX America in Las Vegas this year, the first ever Political Advocacy Forum was held in conjunction with partners, the US Travel Association. Mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, together with CEO of US Travel, Roger Dow and close to 100 participants and media took part.
IMEX says it will further advance its advocacy efforts in 2013 through PCMA’s new Industry Business Forum for local leaders.
IMEX has also made a three-minute informational video available for free industry download. The video explains the importance of lobbying at a local level and is designed to be viewed by destinations and local government representatives alike.
A full copy of the IMEX in Frankfurt Politicians Forum Report plus a shorter summary is available online.
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