Led by Managing Director Paul Flackett, the IMEX staff received the 2014 Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award during the Site Global Conference, held Nov. 14-17 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The presentation marked the first time the award has been presented to an organization rather than an individual.
IMEX runs two award-winning, annual tradeshows for the international meetings, incentive travel and events industry.
The Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award recognizes outstanding service to the incentive travel industry. It was created in memory of SITE Past President and long-time member Richard Ross, who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City. The award also shines a spotlight on a recipient who has “furthered the vision, ideals and ethics of SITE.”
Louise Hall Reider, CITE, Chair of the SITE Past Presidents Counci presented the award to Flackett and the IMEX team.
“It was thrilling on behalf of all the Past Presidents of SITE to present the 2014 Richard Ross Award to IMEX – an organization icon in our business, and the first-ever organization to be recognized with this well-deserved honor,” said Reider. “This distinction applauds their notable contributions and long-term service to the incentive travel industry, for which we are all exceedingly grateful!”
The Past Presidents of the SITE International Board of Directors agreed with the nominator remarks about IMEX, which described how “they changed the face of the meetings and incentive exhibition industry when they created and implemented the concept of the hosted buyer program. This innovation changed the way business shows were organized and run…more importantly, they have achieved success with integrity, honesty and faith in others.”
“It is a great honour for IMEX to receive the Richard Ross Award from Site,” said Ray Bloom, chairman, IMEX Group. “We are extremely grateful to be recognized in this way by the industry and it is first and foremost a great testament to the IMEX team.”
Both organizations share a long history of working in partnership for the long-term development of the incentive travel industry. Flackett has been a Site member since 1988 and served as President of SITE International in 1995 and as SITE Foundation President in 2002. Bloom served on the Board of Trustees for the Site Foundation from 1993-1999 as well as Treasurer for the SITE Foundation. Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group, is a current Trustee for the Site Foundation.
When the industry duo launched the IMEX tradeshow in Frankfurt in 2002, Site was one of the first associations turned to for industry feedback and support.
The next edition of IMEX in Frankfurt takes place May 19-21 at the Messe Frankfurt. IMEX America 2015 will take place at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas on Oct. 13-15, 2015.
