IMEX America Press Conferences and Events

Mexico Tourism Board

Teresa Matamoros

E: tmatamoros@visitmexico.com

T: +1 (312) 228 0517 Ext. 20

Mexico´s Meeting Industry Economic Impact Study release

The Mexico Ministry of Tourism will present the results of the Meetings Industry Impact Study. No invitation is required, this event is directed to members of the press and commercial partners of Mexico.

The study will be presented by Robert Canton, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Mexican officials.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Arisara Thanuplang

E: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

T: 6681 561 4745

Believe in Thailand: Thailand...The Destination of Choices

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau will introduce the second phase of its ‘Believe in Thailand’ campaign: ‘Thailand...The Destination of Choices’. Delegates will also be updated on Thailand Convention and Exhibition’s Bureau’s marketing strategies to promote green meetings, and find out about its bid to host the World Expo 2020.

The press conference will be presented by Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

Refreshments will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Business Events Sydney

Patty Buehler
E: pbuehler@BESydney.com.au
T: + 1 514 731 7117

As a global city on the move, Sydney is future-focused in an increasingly competitive international environment, and is not resting on its laurels when it comes to business events.

Join Lyn Lewis-Smith, Acting CEO of Business Events Sydney (BESydney), as she discusses the exciting plans for infrastructure development and rejuvenation, designed to bring new business, new people and new ideas to Sydney, Australia’s #1 business events destination.

Lyn will also share the results from BESydney’s second phase of research into the much-discussed, but rarely measured, benefits of business events that are above and beyond the tally of tourism receipts.

Lunch will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Kuzaimah Idris

E:kuzaimah@klccconventioncentre.com

T: +60 (3) 2333 2826
C: +60 (12) 316 1538

Engaging and Expanding

Peter Brokenshire, General Manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, will share insights on the developments in the surrounding precinct under the ‘Greater Kuala Lumpur’ blueprint and talk about the expansion of the Centre, slated for completion by late 2014.

Food and drinks will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

IMEX America

Kit Watts

E: Kit.watts@imexexhibitions.com

T: +44(0)7968 417518

Everybody is welcome to attend and hear the following speakers at the inaugural IMEX America opening press conference:-

• Ray Bloom, Chairman of IMEX Group
• Rossi Ralenkotter, President & CEO of Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
• John Caparella, President & COO, The Venetian | The Palazzo & Sands Expo
• Bruce MacMillan, President & CEO, Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

American Express Meetings and Events and Maxvantage

Erica Rose

E: Erica.K.Rose@aexp.com

T: +1 212 640 2265
C: +1 212 920 7545

American Express Meetings & Events and Maxvantage

American Express Meetings & Events and Maxvantage will make an announcement of a new solution focused for its pharmaceutical clients. Other news will also include a business update and a review of new global initiatives and collaborations.

Issa Jouaneh, Vice President and General Manager, American Express Meetings & Events will speak on behalf of American Express Meetings & Events and Maxvantage.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

INCON

Angela Guillemet
E:Angela.Guillemet@mci-group.com
T: + 353 86 311 4067

INCON announces new partner

Inge Hanser, INCON Co-Chair; Patrick Delaney, Ovation MCI and Rick Binford of Experient will provide a news update at this INCON press conference.

Frozen treats will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Carlson Marketing

Barry Wegener
E:bwegener@carlsonmarketing.com

Faye Beauchine
E:fbeauchine@carlsonmarketing.com
T: +1 763 445 3281

Carlson Marketing becomes Aimia; Launches Event RSx, Smart Event Measurement

Introducing Aimia, a new name in global loyalty management. Carlson Marketing, now Aimia, is an established expert in motivational loyalty programs incorporating event, travel, rewards and employee engagement strategies. Learn what’s behind the name Aimia and how Aimia helps corporate sponsors of meetings and incentives stay closer to customers and audiences through Smart Event Measurement.

Events provide unique opportunities to connect with employees, business partners and customers on an emotional level and deepen organizational and brand relationships prompting positive actions. But how do you measure improved relationships and predict whether or not you’ll have positive actions because of your event?

Aimia’s approach of measuring audience impact helps event managers go beyond tracking savings and satisfaction metrics. Measuring improved relationship strength provides a powerful way to monetize predictors of future business outcomes including sales, loyalty, satisfaction and advocacy.

Fay Beauchine, President, Business Loyalty, Aimia will present.

Coffee, juice and water will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Allison Summers

E:asummers@siteglobal.com
T: +1 312 673 5876

SITE Leaders present the latest research and findings:

In a joint project, the Site International Foundation and the Incentive Travel Council of the Incentive Marketing Association surveyed 1,003 qualifiers and non-qualifiers of incentive travel programs to determine what makes incentive travel motivational, meaningful and memorable.

The Site International Foundation and the MPI Foundation have cooperated in a study to determine the degree, if any, of convergence between incentive travel and meeting planning. The combined databases of the Site Index and the MPI Foundation were used to contact 3,826 potential respondents.

The Site Index studies: With a standing data panel of industry representatives from over 60 countries, the Site Index studies enters its third year of generating meaningful data and discussion points.

Presenters:
Steve O’Malley – President, Site International Foundation
Jim Razula - Past President, Incentive Travel Council
Bruce MacMillan – President & CEO, MPI
Jane Schuldt – Research Chair, Site International Foundation

Please RSVP with your intent to join and pre-lunch snacks will be ordered.

Press Room 1
The Press Center

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Ho Yoke Ping
E: pingho@myceb.com.my
T: +6019 2615 331

Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer and Ho Yoke Ping, General Manager – Sales & Marketing - will discuss how Malaysia, which is strategically located between two of the world’s fastest growing economies, India and China, is fast emerging as a choice destination for international conventions and incentives. The recently established Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) will launch its inaugural website as well as presenting the country’s upcoming initiatives to strengthen its presence in the US market.

Guests are invited to enjoy some lunch and Malaysian hospitality.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Tourism Australia invites the media to attend the Australia press conference where delegates can discover what is new in Australia!

Attendees can get an update on the latest Australia products and offerings for the corporate meeting, incentive and association markets. The session includes a Q&A session with Daryl Hudson, Regional General Manager, Americas, Tourism Australia.

Lunch will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Australia kindly sponsors the IMEX America 2011 Press Center

Margaret Bonilla
E:bonillacomm@gmail.com
T:+1 603 548 0693

Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of The German Convention Bureau (GCB), will present the results of a new market analysis conducted by TNS Infratest that studies the close economic ties between the USA and Germany as a basis for international meetings and conventions. Additionally there will be updates and short presentations from GCB partners, Edgar Hirt & Hilmar Guckert of SevenCenters of Germany and Mark Spivey of Maritim Hotels.

Refreshments, sandwiches and cakes will be served.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Nicola Williams

E:nwilliams@londonandpartners.com
T: +44 (0)20 7234 5860

An exclusive press briefing from London & Partners, the official convention bureau for London (formally known as Visit London), to launch the new international campaign entitled ‘Limited Edition London’.
The launch will discuss events and activities taking place throughout 2011 and 2012, including re-launches, refurbishments and new openings such as the unveiling of Cutty Sark and Kensington Palace refurbishment – as well as a host of new limited edition business activities and event venues.

Delegates will also gain insight into the four-day Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations which will take place in June 2012 and the latest on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

BestCities Alliance

Daniel Palomo
E:dpalomo@ghcvb.org
T: +1 713 437 5291

Jorge Franz
E: jfranz@ghcvb.org
T: +1 713 437 5291

Best Cities Welcomes New Partners

The BestCities Global Alliance, an international collaborative of convention bureaux, will announce the preliminary membership of two new cities.

BestCities is the first global alliance to develop a certification program to ensure a consistent level of service excellence and quality standards from all eight partner cities— Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapore and Vancouver. Two additional cities have been chosen to further support the efforts of BestCities and its partners.

Gary Grimmer, BestCities Global Alliance, Greg Ortale, President and CEO Greater Houston CVB and Heike Mahmoud, Director of Conventions, Visit Berlin Convention Office will present.

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center

Kit Watts
E:Kit.watts@imexexhibitions.com
T:+44 07968 417518

Please join IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, and MPI President & CEO, Bruce MacMillan, for an informal news round-up of the debut show, Q&As as well as refreshments.

Refreshments will be served. Everybody welcome.

Press Room 1
The Press Center

Veronese 2401B, Level 2, The Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center