IMEX Challenge

What is the IMEX Challenge?

The IMEX Challenge is a three day biennial humanitarian event at which a team of meeting industry professionals gather in order to make a positive impact on the lives of others - particularly children - in the chosen host destination. As well as attempting to complete the demanding goal of the Challenge itself within the allocated three days it also aims to leave a financial legacy allowing the continued development of the group or charity concerned.

IMEX Challenge 2012, Ljubljana, Slovenia

After the fantastic work accomplished in Poland during the IMEX Challenge 2010 we are delighted to announce that plans are well underway for the next Challenge in 2012. After considering ideas from a variety of destinations we are delighted that the second IMEX Challenge will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia between 2-4 July 2012.

In keeping with the goals of both helping children and leaving a sustainable legacy for their care, the local organising committee have come up with a creative and interactive project. Over the three days 15 volunteers will descend on the CUDV Training, Occupation and Care Centre in Draga, Slovenia, www.center-db.si to work with the staff as well as the mentally and physically handicapped patients who are cared for there. The project is one that blends environmental factors with sustainability and is centred on establishing a colony of bees within the school grounds.

Beekeeping is a Slovenian pastime with thousands of private beekeepers managing bee colonies in gardens across the country and, at a time when the plight of the bee is causing increasing concern to environmentalists, the idea of supporting their long term survival as well as creating a project that the staff and patients at the care centre can manage and create an income from is a compelling one. Please note that it will not be necessary for volunteers to handle bees directly.

How to Apply

We’re delighted to announce that, after many disappointed potential volunteers had to be turned away last year, we’ve increased the number of places available by 50% to 15. Places are filled on a strictly first come first served basis and interested parties can register their interest by contacting Faye Bennett at IMEX Group, faye.bennett@imexexhibitions.com

Unfortunately, due to high demand we can't guarantee that a place will be available, but we very much hope you will want to be involved in what will be another hugely rewarding experience. Volunteers will be required to make a substantial donation to the charity that runs the care home for the children, full details of which will be announced soon.

After the successful site visit in November, a Facebook page has been set up which will be regularly updated with the latest information and news. Check out more photos from the site visit too. See the Facebook page here.

We look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Jon Bradshaw and Faye Bennett
IMEX Organising Committee

Local Partners

Slovenian Convention Bureau, Ljubljana Tourism / Convention Bureau, Go.Mice Congress & Marketing Agency, Slovenian Beekeepers' Association, Training, Occupation and Care Centre "Dolfka Boštjančič", Draga Kompas DMC and Grand Hotel Union.

Organising Committee

Faye Bennett Sales Manager IMEX Group		Faye Bennett joined IMEX in October 2005 and has over nine years experience in the meetings industry. She was part of the 2010 IMEX Challenge team and will be co-managing the 2012 IMEX Challenge. Faye is also the 2011 Site Great Britain Chapter President and a Site Young Leader.
Jon Bradshaw IMEX Group Consultant		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, beforing joining IMEX in 2004 where he became Business Development Director. Jon now runs his own meetings performance business, Meetings Mindset®.