To keep abreast of the the latest happenings within the global exhibition industry, HOTT3D sent Key Account Manager, Farrah Weir, to the annual IFES World Summit held in late June.
IFES, the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services, held the event in the South of France at Le Grande Motte. The Summit was a gathering of international stand builders with a strong focus on networking and knowledge sharing over a packed three day summit.
The summit is designed to bring industry suppliers from across the globe together in a relaxed and easy environment whereby new connections are made, knowledge shared and collaborative workshops held.
This all creates a great space for people to unite and share their common experience and knowledge as well as develop international contacts to facilitate expansion of international business.
The Summit consisted of a structured and very busy three day event with numerous workshops and speakers, detailing subjects such as, Marketing, Education and Sustainability within the industry.
Highlights of the workshops and speakers included:
Martin Joos from Adunic sharing the emotions of our industry.
Pablo Nakhle-Cerruti brought the theme of how venues can transform events into different experiences.
Detlef Wintzen from Insglueck reflected on the German story of future energy.
A collaboration workshop hosted by Jeremy Stubbs where delegates were divided into groups and asked to look into questions such as demands for IFES and exhibition expectations, how the industry is changing and solutions.
The annual AGM also took place which discussed the annual review and presentations of the actions of IFES over the last year as well as a new member induction, which allowed new members, including HOTT3D to take the stage, introduce themselves and their companies.
Numerous social networking opportunists were also worked into the schedule including a beer and wine tasting event, nightly evening dinners and gala last night, all to aid getting to know fellow attendees from around the world.
In conclusion the experience at IFES was exceptionally positive and gave HOTT3D valuable insights into our global industry. IFES created a welcoming, warm and friendly environment whereby one felt apart of a community that was genuine and sincere. The networking was overwhelmingly brilliant and the knowledge shared and gained irreplaceable.
Farrah concluded that she thought the summit was a successful and beneficial experience and couldn’t wait to go back in 2018, where the event will be held in Chicago.
Exhibition Blog of South Africa 