GITEX GLOBAL 2023 goes live
The world’s largest tech showcase GITEX GLOBAL has kicked off in Dubai, with a focus on “AI in everything” at its core.
It is one of two renowned industry events which has launched this week, with IMEX America also getting underway in Las Vegas.
ExpoPlatform is providing event technology solutions for both shows – including smart event apps, lead retrieval, AI matchmaking and more.
Other stories from our weekly event news roundup are:
➡️ UFI to host annual European conference in Zurich next year
➡️ IEG appoints new president
➡️ RX USA hires new group vice president of sales
Mobile event apps have become critical for the success of shows like GITEX and IMEX. Download the Event App Handbook to get started with your own app and learn how to select the best app provider.
Read on for your full Week in Events roundup ⤵️
GITEX GLOBAL 2023 kicks off
Thousands of attendees and exhibitors have flocked to Dubai as GITEX GLOBAL gets underway.
The event is hosting global tech giants and start-ups in AI, cybersecurity, mobility, sustainable tech and more across 41 exhibition halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
This latest edition is built around “the year to imagine AI in everything”, supercharging the global race for digital supremacy by revealing expert perspectives about the potential of its impact.
The moment we've all been waiting for is here! GITEX GLOBAL DOORS ARE NOW OPEN.
The largest Tech and Startup Event gathering industry leaders from all over the world is ready to amaze you with the latest in tech innovation. https://t.co/gJ2gzQHQns pic.twitter.com/8u1jvPlxCT
— GITEX GLOBAL (@GITEX_GLOBAL) October 16, 2023
Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president at DWTC, posted: “This year’s GITEX GLOBAL is synonymous with artificial intelligence. It has upsized the AI phenomenon as it amplifies the excitement, trepidation, curiosity and dilemma of this new tech paradigm.
“GITEX GLOBAL presents the year’s largest and most sensational AI experience with 6,000 companies from over 180 countries. If you still think the fuss is only about ChatGPT, then you must come and get ready to be amazed.
“Because at GITEX, the companies imagine AI in everything.”
The ExpoPlatform team has once again worked with the organiser to create an all-in-one smart event platform with new custom features to set up hosted buyer meetings, improve the quality of engagement and drive leads.
It follows on from a record-breaking year for the event in 2022 – with ExpoPlatform providing digital solutions – which drew 170,000 attendees and generated AED 2.6 billion.
IMEX America anticipates record year for buyers
IMEX America is anticipating a record number of buyers as it gets set to open its doors in Las Vegas.
Eventprofs from around the world will descend on the Nevada city as the tradeshow returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from October 17 to 19.
It will showcase immersive tech, knowledge resources, tech talks, new education formats, the IMEX Group’s sustainability strategy and more.
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, said: “All our numbers have been on an upward trajectory since registration opened. But it’s not about celebrating big numbers for their own sake, it’s about what these metrics say about the state of our industry.
“Even our specialist education programs all have waiting lists, which is a first this far from opening day. In an era marked by so much uncertainty, these are good indicators that the global events sector is not only healthy but also more robust than many thought.”
The organiser said well over 4,000 buyers are set to attend, while 60,000 meetings have already been booked.
IMEX has negotiated extra hotel room blocks, hosted buyer buses and catering services o deal with this popularity – as well as having expanded the hosted buyer lounge by 10,000 sq. feet.
Following the success of IMEX Frankfurt, the organiser has again teamed up with ExpoPlatform for event tech solutions and support.
The group also signed a three-year deal with the event management provider for its upcoming shows.
Meanwhile, ExpoPlatform will be hosting several sessions on event tech, trends and innovations at IMEX America. Here are the details ?
- How to grow exhibitor leads +250%. Create a higher return for your exhibitors using a Lead Intelligence solution
- Hosted Buyer Programme: A tech-fuelled concierge experience for your VIPs
- Generative AI in events: using ChatGPT-like tools wisely
- ExpoPlatform’s 365 Community: Build a year-round business model for your events
We will also be speaking at:
UFI European Conference to take place in Zurich in 2024
The annual UFI European Conference will head to Zurich, Switzerland in 2024.
The event will be hosted by MCH Group’s Messe Zurich from June 11-13 and will be co-located with the Event Directors Summit, a one-day meet of 50 exhibition and portfolio directors.
Roman Imgrüth, CEO MCH Exhibition & Events, said: “We are delighted to welcome UFI to Zürich next year.
“The European Conference brings together a very important community and it will be a pleasure to host them here at the Messe Zürich and show them around our beautiful city.
“We are also excited to welcome the Event Directors Summit – this event is an important addition and of course, this select group is very attractive to us as a leading host for guest events in Switzerland with our venues in Basel and Zurich.”
Nick Dugdale-Moore, UFI regional director of Europe, said: “We are thrilled to take the European Conference to Zurich in 2024.
“We look forward to welcoming industry professionals from Europe and beyond to meet here for networking, learning and sharing our experiences.
“It is an exciting time right now and we will have a lot to talk about.”
Pre-registration for the conference can be done here.
IEG announces new president
The Italian Exhibition Group has named a veteran hotel entrepreneur as its new president.
Maurizio Renzo Ermeti was announced by the organiser’s board of directors as taking on the role after the previous president Lorenzo Cagnoni passed away last month.
He was previously vice president of IEG from 2008-2016 and a non-executive member of the board of directors since 1997.
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of IEG, said: “On behalf of the entire board of directors, recalling once again the commitment and professionalism shown in carrying out the role by Dr Lorenzo Cagnoni, wishes the new president of the board of directors good work administration.”
Maurizio’s career spans multiple decades and began in 1980 within the family hotel group Ambienthotels, where he is currently director.
After that, he worked in various leadership positions such as chairman of Adriacongrex from 1994-1997 and president of the Rimini Hoteliers Association from 1997-2006.
Additionally, he has headed admin responsibilities since 2013 at the Strategic Plan Agency and since 2019 served on the Board of Directors of Rimini Municipality’s destination management company, Visit Rimini.
RX USA appoints new group vice president of sales
RX USA has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of a new group vice president of sales.
Indiya Okam will oversee the sales division of the company and will be primarily responsible for driving revenue and sales transformation.
She will report to Fernando Fischer, president of Americas, and will also promote sales talent and develop sustainable growth strategies for RX and its industries in the US.
Fernando said: “As a leader in exhibitions, and with our recovery underway, we need a talented sales leader who will propel us forward.
“And Indiya is that leader. I am delighted to welcome Indiya onboard and look forward to working with her to further develop our business: to strengthen our sales approach, empower our sales teams and create even more initiatives for our customers that add genuine value to their businesses, ensuring growth for the long term.”
Indiya said: “I believe in the power of building a sustainable business through face-to-face events.
“I am delighted and incredibly proud to be joining RX and the talented group of people at such a transformational time in the history of RX.
“I look forward to immersing myself into the collaborative culture at RX and utilizing my expertise in driving innovation, value-based business strategy, and building long-term key customer relationships to drive revenue growth for RX and for our customers.”
Prior to joining RX, Indiya was vice president of sales at healthcare solutions company Owens & Minor, where she led value-based and growth initiatives.
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