Free Wild Card Space
To qualify for a winning place, Wild Card entrants have to justify their potential as a brand new meetings and incentive travel destination or a new convention and conference centre (those currently in development or which have been open for three years or less) from a new and emerging destination.
None are permitted to have exhibited at a major meetings or incentive travel trade fair before. They also have to demonstrate that they have the commitment and capacity to handle new business and that their destination has the infrastructure to support the demands of the meetings and incentive travel market.
Download the 2011 application form
Benefits
Each winning destination receives free exhibition space within the Wild Card Pavilion, one complimentary hotel room for three nights in Frankfurt, plus one free ticket to the IMEX Gala Dinner. The winners also benefit from marketing support to assist them in presenting their destination to the audience of international buyers at the show.
View an example of what can be achieved by a winning Wild Card destination.
2010 Winners
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UgandaHome to half of the world’s mountain gorillas, Uganda is particularly known for its primates. But it has so much more to offer! It is a bird watchers paradise with more than 1,000 different bird species. The landscape ranges from lush tropical rain forest to wide savannah plains. From a snow-covered mountain range to gentle, green hills with small crater lakes and clear waterfalls. The country is divided by the longest river in Africa, the mighty Nile, finding its famous source in Lake Victoria. Passing through small, authentic African villages, you will find a rich culture and warm smiles welcoming you. |
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Morzine, FranceJust over an hour away from Geneva Airport, Morzine is a traditional alpine village in an amazing mountain setting that offers varied and original activities all year long. It has great accommodation capacity with 20,000 beds in total, 3,500 of which are in hotels. The Congress Hall also offers various rooms suitable for seminars, banquets and exhibitions. |
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Hof Conference and Cultural Center, IcelandHof is a cultural building designed for music and performing arts with two large conference auditoriums (seating 500 and 200, respectively) and a comprehensive restaurant service. The centre is due to be completed in August 2010 and is located in the conference town of Akureyri. The possibilities for activities in Akureyri are unlimited, with sea angling, horse riding, boat trips, bowling, golf tournaments, health spas, curling, skating and skiing. View the Hof Conference and Cultural Center's Virtual Exhibition page |
View the German Wild Card winners
View quotes from past Wild Card winners
View a small selection of press coverage achieved by the 2009 Wild Card Programme