Details of the first ever ‘IMEX Challenge‘ have been announced today by organisers of the annual worldwide meetings, incentive travel and events exhibition in Frankfurt.
The IMEX Challenge is a new initiative designed to give meetings industry professionals the chance to work side by side in a physical challenge that will benefit a host community.
The decision to undertake the first ever IMEX Challenge in Poland in autumn 2010 means that 20 individuals will have the chance to help non-governmental organisation, OUR HOME, to refurbish and renovate the garden of a foster family in Warsaw. Established in 1991, the charity has become the most important organisation dealing with the problems of orphaned and neglected children in Poland.
The chosen foster family is currently responsible for the well-being of seven children, all under 12 years old. The IMEX Challenge Poland team will be tasked with creating a safe and enjoyable area for the children to play and relax in. This will require landscaping the whole area and supplying and fitting a range of play facilities. The Challenge will also aim to create funding for the ongoing upkeep of the garden and play area and the long-term educational development and care of the children who live with the foster family.
Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO, explains: “We are not simply building a single playground and garden for one family here but improving the property for the long-term benefit of many young children in the future. The IMEX Challenge Poland team will leave behind an important legacy and we hope our efforts will also raise awareness countrywide, increase interest and, of course, encourage others to get involved in as many ways as possible. At the same time, the Challenge will promote the destination as well as the partners and sponsors to the wider global meetings industry”.
“Aside from developing an humanitarian event that will have a positive impact on a local community, these IMEX Challenges will aim to stretch the individuals involved, giving them the chance to leave behind a very physical demonstration of their commitment. Rather than simply donating money, they will donate sweat, probably a few blisters and a lot of heart,” says Bauer.
IMEX has created two sponsorship categories to support the Challenge: local partners and volunteer sponsors. To date, Polish conference and incentive organisers, Meeting Designers, and the Convention Bureau of Poland which is a part of Polish Tourist Organisation, have committed to becoming local partners. IMEX is looking for an additional 10 companies to each sponsor a volunteer of their choice to support the Challenge.
The 2010 IMEX Challenge Poland will run from 13th to 15th September. The Challenge itself will last a total of three days, although participants will need to arrive a day earlier for briefings. Each participant will need to pay their full travel costs to Warsaw, although all accommodation, food and drink will be provided on site.
Future IMEX Challenges will be held every two years.
For more information, please contact Jon Bradshaw, Business Development Director of IMEX Jon.bradshaw@imex-frankfurt.com; +44 (0)1273 224955 Mobile +44 (0)7834 967367 or visit http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/imexchallenge.html.
Krzysztof Celuch – Manager Convention Bureau of Poland, PTO krzysztof.celuch@pot.gov.pl; +48 (0) 22 5367042 www.poland-convention.pl
