IMEX Challenge

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.

What is the IMEX 2010 Challenge?

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.

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.

Local Partners

The Convention Bureau of Poland, Polish Tourist Organisation, Meeting Designers, Our Home, Warsaw Convention Bureau and Radisson Blu Hotel Krakow.

Organising Committee

Maciek Ogieniewski Managing Director Meeting Designers		Maciek graduated in Marketing Management Studies 12 years ago and has worked in the travel industry ever since, starting his own meetings and incentive travel agency five years ago.  Maciek holds a Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma.
Krzysztof Celuch Manager Convention Bureau of Poland		In addition to his role at the Convention Bureau of Poland, Krzysztof is a business tourism lecturer at the Warsaw University of Economics and Computer Science; MPI Poland Club President and organiser of the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum at the Students' Scientific Conference in Warsaw.
Magdalena Holowinska Marketing Specialist Warsaw Convention Bureau		Magdalena holds a degree in English and Tourism and a Masters in Destination Tourism Management.  Prior to joining Warsaw Convention Bureau, Magdalena worked for Brand Hotels Group.
Jon Bradshaw Business Development Director IMEX Group		Jon's career began in the BBC's international publishing division before moving to IAPA and then EIBTM in 1999.  He then spent three years as Sales Director for Premier Global.  Away from IMEX Jon runs his own performance coaching business and has recently completed a 5,400km charity bike ride across Europe. He joined IMEX in 2004.

When?

The IMEX Challenge Poland will run from 13 to 15 September 2010.

The Challenge itself will last a total of three days, although participants will need to arrive a day earlier for briefings. Future IMEX Challenges will be held every two years.

The IMEX Challenge Poland Team

		Sponsored by:
Natasha Tome Head of Marketing Dubai Convention Bureau
Freddy Muller Director - Charter & Incentives Silversea Cruises
Aoife Delaney Business Development Manager UK & Ireland Ovation Global DMC
Dr Isabel Kuhl Editor Events Magazine
Miguel Assis Director of Sales & Marketing TLC - Events in Portugal
Olga Navarro Marketing & Sales Manager ITB DMC
Kevin Edmunds Regional Director of Sales, West Coast Palace Resorts
Michael Gordon Associate VP, Business Development eventAcuity
Cosimo Bruzzese Director of Sales Briggs Inc.
Eggert Thor Olason Project Manager Iceland Congress
Faye Bennett Sales Manager IMEX Group
Rachel Munro Marketing Assistant IMEX Group

How to Apply

The 2010 Challenge is now full. For more information please contact:

Jon Bradshaw, Business Development Director, IMEX, jon.bradshaw@imexexhibitions.com; +44 1273 224955 Mobile +44 7834 967367

Krzysztof Celuch, Manager, Convention Bureau of Poland, PTO, krzysztof.celuch@pot.gov.pl; +48 22 5367042 www.poland-convention.pl

“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”.

Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group