The “GCB Meetings made in Germany Seminar Days - presented by IMEX & the German Convention Bureau is due to be held on 26-28 May 2009 at Frankfurt Fair and offers the choice between a wide range of one-hour seminars with event planners from associations and organisers of business trips or green meetings will find suitable topics.With 15 free seminars in German - plus a lecture in English - the GCB German Convention Bureau will again offer visitors of this year’s IMEX - incorporating Meetings made in Germany lots of opportunities to benefit from the experience of TOP speakers.

GCB director Lutz P. Vogt is proud of the programme: “Once again we have gained high-calibre speakers from many different fields and offer IMEX visitors unique further training options on the latest topics of the meetings and business travel industry.”

In his seminar on Tuesday, 26 May, from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m. - ” Small budget, big impact - exciting catering concepts even in times of tight budgets” - Georg W. Broich will explain what to look out for when staging an event. He will give you a glimpse behind the scenes of Broich Premium Catering - which was elected Caterer of the Year 2005. Already founded in 1891, the family-run company has a portfolio including venues of its own in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne and near Nürburgring, as well as Europewide catering for events with 50 to 5,000 people. “I look forward very much to presenting my ideas at the leading MICE fair and perhaps adding some more creativity to German catering offers,” says Georg W. Broich.

On Wednesday, 27 May, from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m., a workshop titled “Insurance solutions for events - how can I insure the economic success of an event? Suggestions for liability limitation and transfer” will show how organisers can avoid or reduce risks and protect themselves against lost profits due to compensation claims.

Another focus will be on the successful commercial realisation of an event, also in the case of unforeseeable problems. Moreover, speaker Thomas John Meyer, managing partner of von Rauchhaupt & Senftleben GmbH, will present insurance products that go beyond liability and event cancellation insurance. “Our company’s motto is: Making risks insurable means taking opportunities,” says speaker Meyer. “With the IMEX workshop I hope to improve opportunities for successful meetings and conventions.”

On Thursday, 28 May, from 3 to 4 p.m., event and culture manager Melanie Botzki will highlight the topic “Project management for events - from the first idea to a successful event”. In a short lecture the speaker will provide a practice-focused overview of all facets of event planning, from correct organisation through dramaturgy and production.

Various planning stages and target group-specific conception are further topics of the workshop. In 2004 event and culture manager Melanie Botzki founded her own company botzki konzept in Hannover. She is also a board member of the EISFABRIK e.V. culture centre in the federal state capital. “A successful event is a complex interplay of goals, creativity, logistics, players, and of course improvisation. I would like to offer newcomers to event organisation tools that will help them master this interplay,” is Melanie Botzki’s goal.

Alongside event organisation the GCB seminars at IMEX will also cover topics about marketing, creativity and motivation. Hence, Joey Kelly will hold a lecture on his sports achievements on Wednesday, 27 May, from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m.: “You have to set yourself a goal and then simply get started.” The folk musician has made a name for himself as an extreme sports athlete. He was the world’s first triathlete to complete all eight Ironman triathlons in a single year. In addition, he completed 34 marathons, 20 ultramarathons, several 24-hour bike marathons and extreme runs with excellent results. With his participation Joey Kelly has also supported high-publicity charity marathons. “If you really want something, there are no limits. Realising this will make you feel incredibly motivated - and you can also use it in the MICE industry,” says musician and extreme sports athlete Joey Kelly.

For detailed information on all topics and speakers visit www.imex-frankfurt.de/seminars.html. On www.imex-frankfurt.de you can already register for IMEX 2009 in the “visitor registration” area.
——-