“Sharing experiences and meeting new people is incredibly valuable and it’s a great way to learn. I hope to implement much of what I’ve discovered at Association Day into my own organisation.” Vadim Garbarchuk, The Business Travel Association of Ukraine explains why Association Day at IMEX in Frankfurt remains a must-do for association event professionals.
IMEX Association Day, the annual event exclusively for association professionals, will feature a highly topical and extensively researched program when it takes place on Monday 14 May, the day before IMEX in Frankfurt.
The programme’s three different streams allow attendees to tailor the day to suit their individual requirements. Each session is expertly curated and designed to get to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of each topic using case studies and open discussions. The aim is for attendees to leave armed with new ideas to put into action.
The Association Management Stream, chaired by ASAE, has been specifically designed for those in senior positions. Member engagement, volunteer management and strategic governance – covering board management and succession planning – are just some of the topics to be discussed. For example, Lakisha Ann Woods from the National Association of Home Builders is set to cover how to use social media to attract younger members and drive engagement on a global scale.
Meetings and Events Stream A, chaired by ICCA, covers ‘legacy’ – IMEX’s talking point for 2018 – innovation and engagement, building a community and building partnerships with convention bureaux. Paul Vallee from Best Cities chairs a discussion on the importance of legacy, focusing on how to deliver a ‘beyond tourism’ impact. The ICCA Congress is being discussed as a case study in the session on ‘building a homogenous community at your annual meeting’, looking at engaging first time delegates using elements of event design and format.
Meetings and Events Stream B addresses budget management and negotiation skills, security and risk management, sponsorship and programme content development. Nicole Leida from the National Cancer Research Institute covers all elements of supplier negotiation including ways to make maximise the budget. A ‘spotlight on sponsorship’ session looks at how to create compelling packages and develop relationships into long term, profitable commercial partnerships.
Each session is case study led with the emphasis on sharing best practice. Time for peer to peer discussion and networking is also factored into the day.
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “The new programme for Association Day has been shaped by feedback from association professionals across the world. We’re therefore confident that the content is timely and relevant – with expert-led discussions on topical issues, delivering a direct business benefit.”
Open to all levels of association professionals registered to attend IMEX as either hosted buyers or visitor buyers, Association Day offers a valuable opportunity for peer to peer education and networking, allowing participants to understand the successes and challenges faced by other associations.
The free afternoon of education will be followed by the popular networking reception, Association Evening, which launches the start of IMEX in Frankfurt. This takes place at a new venue – Depot 1899, a historic tram depot developed into a modern bar and restaurant.
IMEX in Frankfurt takes place 15 – 17 May 2018.
