Ray Bloom is the founder and chairman of IMEX Group, which organizes the largest worldwide exhibitions for the incentive travel and meetings industry, including IMEX America, which is scheduled for Oct. 18-20 in Las Vegas. Sales & Marketing Managementcaught up with Bloom recently via email.
SMM: You no doubt shape your education at IMEX shows around the challenges you see meeting and event planners facing. Do you have a sense of what is top of mind for them this year?
Bloom: Issues around the sharing economy are a big talking point currently. On Smart Monday [a series of seminars and workshops the day before IMEX America opens], powered by our strategic partner Meetings Professionals International (MPI), we’ll be presenting an expert panel discussion, which continues the conversation we started at IMEX in Frankfurt this spring. In fact, demand for technology education grows stronger every year. New technologies are often held up as a source of competitive advantage or ‘instant’ event improvement, but it’s not quite that simple. This year, more than ever, visitors are looking for insight and direction in a variety of technology areas, and especially on apps and data security.
SMM: When you speak with buyers and other attendees at the IMEX shows, what do you like to ask them?
Bloom: I’m always interested in hearing about new challenges or obstacles in their respective markets and their work. Asking what they need to see more of or less of at IMEX. We encourage and pursue open dialog with everyone at our shows — and in between — so we can learn how to serve the market better and help the industry and the people who work in it to grow and flourish. For example, at the end of IMEX America last year, hosted buyers told us they wanted more chances to connect with each other. To help with that straightaway, we tested a new networking tool called Zenvoy, which matches people one-to-one based on their unique skill sets, geography and interests. We’re now rolling that out as a full service to all buyers this year and have already had a great response.
SMM: “Disruptors” is a buzzword that businesses are embracing these days referring to companies that are causing whole industries to change how they do things — Airbnb and Uber being two common examples. Have you seen any other disrupting trends or companies in the meetings and incentive travel industry?
Bloom: Technology as a whole is a huge disruptor that will continue to help our industry evolve and thrive. How people communicate, how they capture, use and share data, how they network and engage, all is in continual development, and I think it’s exciting. Taking on the topic of disruption directly, on the opening day of IMEX America, our keynote Jay Samit, a digital media innovator and business pioneer, will talk about how to break through in a world of continual innovation. He’s worked on issues ranging from hurricane suppression and brain surgery, to eradicating crippling diseases, so it will be fascinating to see how he applies his knowledge to the meetings and events industry.
SMM: What will be different about the IMEX shows in five years?
Bloom: Expect to see more personalization in terms of education, customer service and also pre-show and show experiences. We’re committed to continuous improvement, so we’re always asking ourselves and the market we serve: how can we make XYZ better for you? Faster? Simpler? More useful to you, your business, and to your business leaders? There will also be more gains in our sustainability performance and we’re bound to expand our connections and volunteer opportunities with the local Las Vegas and Frankfurt communities. I’m sure the market’s appetite for more new and emerging destinations and exhibitors won’t fade, so our role in satisfying that demand is certain to expand. We’re also looking at how we can serve and support various industry sub-groups better, such as young professionals, women and veterans. Our industry is never standing still. It’s constantly moving so you can expect IMEX will too.
