The worldwide exhibition for meetings and incentive travel, IMEX, has received growing interest from Australia, the US and developing markets such as China and India, while announcing a major increase in the number of visitors expected to travel to the show at the Messe Frankfurt, Germany in April 2007.

At the same time, Lufthansa, IMEX’s official airline, will be increasing its total number of long haul international gateways to IMEX from 62 to 85.

In total, the award-winning exhibition is expecting 3,500 hosted buyers this year, within an overall visitor audience of more than 7,500.

IMEX chairman Ray Bloom was delighted with the new market interest. “I am particularly enthused by the growth in worldwide buyer attention, especially from the longer-haul and emerging markets,” he said. “For 2007 we will be launching a comprehensive range of new initiatives intended to enhance business opportunities and broaden the scope of appeal, that will help ensure that IMEX continues to lead from the forefront of the meetings and incentive travel industry.”

These new initiatives include an enhanced German-language seminar programme and a day dedicated to events industry associations, including seminars and a networking dinner bringing together over 750 IMEX exhibitors and association buyers. The green debate will also be high on the agenda, led by the IMEX Corporate Responsibility Centre and a Green Exhibitor Award. Other features planned include the Women’s Forum, the Politicians’ Forum, a Cross Cultural Skills workshop, the Future Leaders Forum for students, a new-look Professional Development Pavilion and the Wild Card Pavilion for new destinations.

For more information on IMEX visit www.imex-frankfurt.com