In a bid to shape its 30th anniversary show in line with industry needs and trends, International Confex held its first Buyer Advisory Board of the year in early June. Attendees to the board meeting included Alexis Butler from Zibrant, Michael Foreman from Kenes UK, Patrick Delany of Ovation and Mike Kershaw of Concerto Group coming together to support the ambition of the show to become a world class experience.

Key themes discussed by the esteemed panel, hosted at The Dorchester Hotel, included educational content, the facilitation of networking opportunities throughout the week and ways in which International Confex can build on its position as the meeting place for the UK meetings and events market.

The panel agreed that there is a need for one platform, which services all segments of the events industry, in order to continue to attract the full spectrum of the buyer community. International Confex is the only event that provides a platform for the entire industry, both domestic and international, to showcase their services to high level UK buyers.

Members also emphasised the need for International Confex to represent a focal point within the most important week of the year. International Confex should be leading the way in the development of the events and meetings industry.

James Samuel, Event Manager comments: “There is an opportunity for International Confex to evolve into an industry focal week. With the Britain for Events Campaign once again set to culminate during the show and London & Partners’ “London Future Forum” taking place; we’re in a prime position to really showcase everything that our industry needs for inspiration, professional development, networking, speeding up the sales process and peer to peer recognition. There will be no other week during 2013 where the entire Meetings and Events community will come together. This makes the proposition of being involved at International Confex truly unmissable.”

“It’s important for Zibrant to be part of International Confex,” said Alexis Butler, Head of Creative Services at Zibrant, “and via the advisory board, we have been able to help sculpt what is seen as the most significant industry expo of the year - ensuring that it meets the industry’s needs is so worthwhile. At Zibrant we manage a multitude of events and have a myriad of requirements. I’m taking part to ensure that Confex reflects the changing face of what an event is year on year and to represent the entire spectrum of the events industry; there is such a diversity of requirements within the industry that could so easily be overlooked. It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to contribute to the evolution of this long standing show.”

Summing up, James Samuel said: “International Confex has a great relationship with its industry but that is no reason to get complacent. Alongside our own expertise and experience, we rely on feedback from the leading buyers and biggest brands in order to keep the show at the top of its game; the market leader for the UK.

“In a week long programme of industry events, networking at International Confex is not just restricted to the exhibition floor. This unparalleled offering really does provide a genuine and enhanced ROI for our clients.”

The next Confex Buyer Advisory Board will take place on September 27th 2012 with the show scheduled for 19-21 March 2012 at London’s ExCeL Centre.

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