IMEX Group has announced the appointment of Gary Coombs as chief operating officer. In the newly created role, Coombs will lead on implementing the processes and structures needed to support the strategic direction of the global trade show business. As part of IMEX’s senior management team, he is also a member of the board.
Coombs will coordinate teams across various departments to ensure delivery of the company’s vision and initiatives with the operations department, marcomms and IT and transformation all reporting into him. The new role was created as part of an operational review across the business of 80-plus staff. It will ensure all team structures and roles underpin the company’s future goals and support its vision of a thriving global business events industry focused on positive change plus its newly created values: "Put People First; Achieve Together and Lead the Way."
Coombs joined IMEX as chief information officer in 2021, leading projects to transform how the company uses technology to create an enhanced and efficient service for its clients. He oversaw the launch of a new online platform, underpinned by ExpoPlatform, designed to add further value to attendees’ participation at IMEX shows with features including free business lead scanning for all buyers and exhibitors. Prior to IMEX, Coombs spent the majority of his career in the media and events sector.
Founded in 2001, IMEX held its first trade show, IMEX Frankfurt in Germany in 2003. It expanded to the US in 2011, launching IMEX America in Las Vegas. Its events regularly attract over 13,000 industry professionals from 100 countries.
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