Meetings and Events – Economic and Social Impact Tom Hulton Director International Relations IMEX Group

Meetings Critical engines of economic growth Generate employment Develop trade Drive exports Stage creative enterprise Spread knowledge Stimulate culture Regenerate cities Nurture local communities

Vienna

The Vienna Convention Bureau said that NOTHING could be achieved locally if it was not possible to prove to their local politicians and the public, the value of the meetings industry to the city The Economic Impact of Meetings

European Congress of Cardiology No of delegates: 33,000 No of hotel nights: 153,000 50% of delegates used public transport Total contribution to Austrian GDP: 106 million Euro Tax income for Vienna: 5.4 million Euro Jobs secured in Austria: 143 Economic Impact

UK Impact Study Million meetings £58 billion added to GDP Meetings Industry is 16 th biggest employer – 515,000 people. Double the telecommunications industry 12.6% of meetings in Universities or educational venues 64% of meetings are small delegates

The Social Legacy Docklands, London

London delivers! Excel London 2011 Economic Benefit to London £18 Billion

The Impact! - Every major event delivers £150 million - 10 more events – £1.5 billion 7,000 more nurses 6,000 more teachers 5,000 more police officers Every Year!

Malaysia “Identify the need to establish Malaysia as a leading Global Business Tourism destination” “We remain focused to propel Malaysia to the top 5 in Asia Pacific ICCA rankings by 2020” Minister of Tourism: YB Dato Sri Dr Ng

Economic Transformation Programme Transform Malaysia to ‘High Income Economy’ by 2020 with Subvention Fund Euro 6 million in 2011 Grow business tourism arrivals from 5% to 8% of tourism arrivals Euro 15 million by 2020 Contribute Euro 9 billion in incremental Gross National Income Additional 16,700 jobs

Your Potential (international) Business! Over 700 association meetings Not been in Ukraine for 15 years All with Ukrainian representative/contact World Conference on Sports and Environment – 500 delegates World Congress of Women Entrepreneurs – 500 delegates

International Associations Meetings More interested in: Ability to reach out to new potential members and markets Transfer knowledge, professional standards and accreditations Win business for their members and other stakeholders

Convention & Visitors Bureau A MUST!

Strategic use of meetings by governments that “get it” Raise profile in target industry sectors Support academic and professional communities Attract global expertise for the benefit of local community Attract new investment Pave the way for the “knowledge economy”

IMEX – Your business opportunity. 3,500 exhibitors 4,000 hosted buyers from 75 countries 5,000 trade visitors 65,000 business appointments between buyer and exhibitor May 2014

Thank you Every Success