Figures announced for the next IMEX exhibition in Frankfurt, slated from May 30 to June 1, 2006, show that the global meetings, incentive travel and events exhibition is due to post significant exhibitor growth for a fourth straight year. Many of the exhibition´s major exhibitors have already increased their stand sizes following a highly successful show last year. Spain will now take one of the largest stands at IMEX with 600 square meters.

Black Entertainment Television has joined forces with the Jamaica Tourist Board to promote the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival to be held in Montego Bay from January 26 to 28. Announcing the partnership, Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BET Digital Networks, said it is really no surprise that her network is involved in this year´s festival since they have produced the event for Air Jamaica for several years.

Almost 90 exhibitors have signed up for the 2006 Travel Technology Show in London. The event is scheduled to take place from January 31 to February 1 at Olympia 2 in London. The show will include a seminar program, a product presentation theatre and an advice centre, including free technology advice from consultancy Equinus.

The Tourism Society organized a Workshop meeting of 50 delegates to address the biggest potential advantage that UK tourism will ever get: the 2012 Olympic Games. The Workshop was sponsored by VisitBritain and hosted by Visit London, at their offices on November 24. VisitBritain have commissioned Ken Robinson, independent Tourism Adviser and Chair of the Tourism Society´s Think Tank, to prepare a draft strategy for optimizing the tourism benefits of the Olympic Games, which will be issued for consultation in the spring of 2006.

EIBTM announced last week the winners of the EIBTM 2005 Awards, with the Grand Prix prize going to D-Day Marketing for ABCrossing, a hugely successful event designed to promote reading amongst Madrid citizens. This year saw an outstanding quality of entrants, with the 2005 EIBTM Awards encouraging creativity and rewarding excellence in the meetings and incentives industry.

Residents of the Cayman Islands and visitors alike enjoyed two more days of unique jazz experiences following the opening of the Cayman Jazz Fest on the British dependency last week. Jazz aficionados were treated to an evening of virtuoso jazz performances at the Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa in the world-class musical event that has sprung up in Grand Cayman in just two short years.