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Sad news: Managing Director of the IMEX Group Paul Flackett died after long illness

Sad news: Managing Director of the IMEX Group Paul Flackett died after long illness

After several years of serious illness, Paul Flackett, Managing Director of the IMEX Group and long-time friend, collaborator and business partner of IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, has passed away.

Paul was considered a great friend and valued mentor to industry colleagues in all corners of the world thanks to a career in the global meetings and events industry that spanned 30+ years.

During his career he was actively engaged with many industry groups, holding several association leadership positions. These included MPI, SITE, the SITE Foundation, Destinations International and, poignantly given the timing of his passing, ICCA. In 2004 he was presented with the Moises Shuster Award during the ICCA Congress for his outstanding contribution to the industry.

His appetite for travel and his desire to play his part and get involved meant that literally hundreds, if not thousands of meetings industry colleagues the world over felt they ‘knew Paul’. He was also a passionate Manchester United supporter and a lover of cricket and heavy rock music.

In recent months his illness meant he couldn’t take an active role in IMEX but his mood was buoyed by well-wishers who brought plenty of ‘bad jokes and good laughs’ to his bedside.

Ray Bloom commented: “Today is a day for deep sadness as well as fond reflection. Paul has been by my side as a friend and in business for over 30 years and was an inspiration to us all in how he conducted himself throughout his career, in particular the humour he brought to us all. He was a friend and mentor to so many in the industry and I know that he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

IMEX issued this statement:

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our much loved friend and colleague, Paul Flackett, IMEX Group Managing Director.

“Today is a day for deep sadness as well as fond reflection. Paul has been by my side as a friend and in business for over 30 years and was an inspiration to us all in how he conducted himself throughout his career, in particular the humour he brought to us all. He was a friend and mentor to so many in the industry and I know that he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Ray Bloom, Chairman, IMEX Group

Biography

Paul Flackett, Managing Director, IMEX Group worked in the meetings and incentive travel industry for over 30 years in various formats. He joined Ray Bloom in 1987 to launch EIBTM the following year in Geneva. Paul left EIBTM in 1999 to set up his own consultancy, PF.REDSEVEN. He also gained the CITE qualification in 1994. In 2001 he linked up again with Ray Bloom to start IMEX in Frankfurt with the first show taking place in 2003. Paul became a member of SITE in 1988 and served as President of SITE International in 1995 and as SITE Foundation President in 2002. He was a Chancellor for MPI and served as Vice Chairman of the DMAI European Advisory Council (Destination Marketing Association International). He also undertook various roles for ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association). In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the meetings industry in 2004 he was presented with the Moises Shuster award from ICCA. Paul spoke around the world on industry related topics in  destinations including Colombia, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, Dubai and Bahrain. Paul was a very keen football fan (Manchester United), a lover of cricket, heavy metal music and a broad range of history across the centuries. He had many favourite destinations as a result of his extensive travels.

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