Diethelm's Barrett backs IMEX as EIBTM 'fails to go forward'

ONE of the most familiar faces on the conference and incentive trade show circuit is the most forthright with regard to where his marketing dollars will go next year. "I'm putting my money next year with IMEX in Frankfurt and will be encouraging my colleagues in the Thailand Incentive and Conference Association (TICA) to do the same," Diethelm Travel manager events Mr David Barrett said. Mr Barrett said he was aware of 63 buyers from the United Kingdom who had been unable to reach Geneva due to confusion over travel arrangements. "I don't believe Reed have moved this show forward as we had expected. I can't afford to do both shows, so I going with IMEX. I will be very vocal when I go back to Thailand to convince TICA to do the same. "The German market has great potential and with Lufthansa behind the show, I think it has great promise. Frankfurt is a good hub for European buyers as well as exhibitors from Asia." Meanwhile, AIME 2003 plans to increase its hosted buyer contingent to around 400, a hike of some 33% over 2002. A survey released by organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions on the number of meetings per continent between 1993-2000, showed Australia/Pacific had a 62% increase in international meetings held since 1993. The average growth over all continents in total from 1993-2000 was 6.5%.