Lou Holland covers Holland Alexander’s business trip to the US in a daily blog featuring IMEX America 2013 – 13th to 17th October
Day 4: Wednesday 16 October
Second day at IMEX 2013
First of all, a tremendous thank you to Virgin Media telemarketing who called me four times during the night along with two other UK callers, the wake-ups were much appreciated.
The first key note presentation of the second day at IMEX was opened by a former Las Vegas Mayor accompanied by two showgirls on either side as he stood at the lectern. His speech ended with a toast to the US and IMEX delegates, and he swiftly downed a cocktail. It was 8.46am Vegas style.
With a busier feel than yesterday, the show floor was soon packed with people and I followed the same plan as yesterday: attending seminars and workshops and chatting with delegates after the formal presentations. I met a sequence of accidental characters, entrepreneurs and switched on seminar presenters who all imparted some learning on me and ideas for our business.
One maxim repeated in a session which went “tomorrow is not a promise so act today” was a classic, coming from a charming US presenter whilst his government were locked in 11th hour talks on the debt ceiling.
Key terms from the seminars were around ” giving value” and “doing more for less” – American Express key trend alert for 2014 on meetings and events and “content generation.”
Late afternoon saw the best flow of connections and discussions as well as an opportunity to quote directly for an event in San Francisco in three weeks time; the city feels like our lucky charm this week!
An new international business service idea is also brought to the fore and is something to discuss with the team next week when I’m back in the UK.
1 OAK at the Mirage Hotel was the event to be at tonight. It was lively and full of brilliant comedic European dancing and a random talent contest that Mr. Holland (country mascot, no relation) performing Blurred lines should have won. Further networking completed a great, long day of business.
One more day to go.
Thanks for reading,
Lou
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