SMMT has completed the licence for International Motor Industry Events Ltd (IMIE) to organise the next British International Motor Show at ExCeL in London’s Docklands. Doors open to the public from 20 to 30 July 2006.
IMIE was born from the successful bid to bring the show back to the capital after a 30-year absence. It aims to drive the British showcase back to the premier league of international motor shows, by pooling a team with previous motor show experience and expertise in organising consumer exhibitions in London.
IMIE will be headed by Rob Mackenzie, of the London Event Company and Tim Etchells from Single Market Events. SMMT head of event operations, Tim Maunder, will be joining as operations director at the end of April. Tim has been involved in organising car and CV shows with SMMT since 1994.
‘We have taken a number of radical steps to deliver a successful motor show in 2006 and are delighted to have forged a new partnership with IMIE’, said Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ chief executive Christopher Macgowan. ‘While SMMT will own the event, IMIE takes on the role of organiser. We look forward to a productive relationship and fully anticipate a successful show in the capital.’
Rob Mackenzie, co-director of IMIE, said, ‘Our new organisation is a team with many strings to its bow. We are ready to hit the ground running and will work closely with SMMT, its members, ExCeL and the media to build a motor show for which we and the industry can be truly proud.’
IMIE will host a press launch at ExCeL on Thursday 21 July 2005 to reveal more details about its plans for the British International Motor Show.
