IMEX Wild Cards announced

Eastern European and emerging African destinations continue to put up a strong showing in the popular and extremely competitive IMEX Wild Card scheme.

The leading global exhibition for the meetings, incentive travel and events industry today announced the names of the three destinations that have each won a prestigious free exhibition place at IMEX 2007 plus an extensive marketing support package.
Addis Ababa in Ethiopia; the Cape Verde Islands and Mures County in Transylvania will all line up in the dedicated IMEX Wild Card Pavilion at Messe Frankfurt from 17 - 19 April to participate in their first ever worldwide incentive travel and meetings exhibition.  As in previous years, the winning destinations expect to use IMEX as a springboard to launch their offerings to a wider business market. The spotlight offered by the trade show has proved extremely useful for past winners, many of whom return every year as part of their ongoing marketing programmes.
Transylvania positions itself as one of the most romantic and inspiring of all the Romanian provinces. With a rich tradition of folklore, myth and music plus exceptional castles and citadels, the region claims to be a land of “magical obscurity”. According to Jean Michel Corbet of full service travel agency, Corbet Transair, “It is not by chance that the town of Sibiu will be the 2007 European Capital of Culture. The inhabitants of Transylvania are well known for their hospitality, and are proud of their folklore, customs and traditions. Winning the Wild Card is the greatest opportunity for us to make first step into what represents the best, if somewhat intimidating, world of meetings, conferences and incentive travel” he says. 
International reputation
Cape Verde, which comprises nine inhabited islands, is one of Africa’s most stable and democratic countries, also known for its peace and quiet. With no endemic disease, business visitors also have no need for vaccinations. Plans are currently underway to develop two further islands as eco-tourism centres. The country is well served by two international airports and now benefits from regular charter flights from the UK, Denmark and Sweden as well as many southern European cities. Flights from Ireland are also due to begin soon.

Diplomatic hub
As the major economic and political centre of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is a metropolitan city, representative of Ethiopia’s 80 different ethnic groups. It is home to the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU). More than 100 embassies and diplomatic missions are already situated there, which makes it the fourth most important city for diplomatic and international organisations after Washington DC, New York and London. As a result, Addis Ababa offers a range of excellent meetings venues and conference services.
The German Convention Bureau have also announced the winners of their Wild Card scheme as Kongress- und Kulturmanagement GmbH, the Portland Forum am Herrenberg and Cruise Events for Orange Pro Event & Touristik.
Says IMEX Marketing and Operations Director, Carina Bauer, “Every year we are surprised by the number and variety of emerging destinations that want to enter the scheme. The success of the Wild Card has given us all a great deal of satisfaction over the years and it’s always great to see previous winners returning the show as they become stronger, more experienced and more established in the meetings industry.”
IMEX 2007 will take place from 17 – 19 April in Hall 8, Messe Frankfurt.