Gil Alejo
Q&A with Gil Alejo, exhibition manager for FIME
August 08, 2017
by Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor
In anticipation of the upcoming FIME conference, HealthCare Business News spoke to Exhibition Manager Gil Alejo about changes to the event taking place this year.
HCB News: FIME has been in Miami Beach for years. What prompted the move to Orlando?
Gil Alejo: Since the Miami Beach Convention Center is undergoing major refurbishments this year, we decided to move FIME to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. We knew the quality of the event and quantity of visitors would not be compromised. The move has also meant an increase in the amount of space available from 275,000 square feet in 2016 in Miami, to 360,000 square feet in 2017 in Orlando. As a result, we were able to continue growing the show, welcoming an impressive 1,650-plus exhibitors from 40-plus countries, and attracting more that 22,000 medical and trade professionals from North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean and international markets.
Furthermore, the move to Orlando has enabled us to launch a number of new accredited conferences, as well as other medical sectors within FIME. We are also still in close contact with the MBCC and are eagerly awaiting the new and improved venue to be completed.
HCB News: Is there any discussion about looking beyond Florida in the future?
GA: FIME has been in Florida for the last 27 years and there are no plans to move. Our primary objective is just to improve, enhance and grow the event. The introduction of a strong educational element under Informa's motto of ”Exhibition with Education” is part of a long-term strategy to position FIME as a premier platform for medical education. We also aim to see an increase in attendees from both traditional and new target markets and for networking opportunities to be enhanced.
HCB News: FIME has always had a heavy international presence. Has there been any impact on attendance or concerns from attendees regarding travel to the U.S.?
GA: We have not seen any impact in this respect. The key here is to make arrangements early through our comprehensive travel information services on our website for hotels, visa and travel arrangements. We have partnered with onPeak to provide visitors with the most competitive nightly hotel rates. There is the offer of a 10 percent discount on eligible fares through FIME’s official airline partner, Delta Airlines, as well as a 15 percent discount on transportation through Sixt Rent a Car. We also assist in providing visa invitation letters to our exhibitors and to attendees once they register their attendance.
HCB News: What are this year's "must-see" events for the show?
GA: There are three new non-clinical conferences ranging from health technology innovations to 3-D medical printing and nursing. There are also free-to-attend seminars such as the medical devices business seminar and the business skills seminar, which specifically focus on the regulations and procurement processes surrounding medical devices. This is particularly relevant to dealers and distributors looking to make their business more profitable.
One of the standout features is MEDLAB Americas, a dedicated ”laboratory zone” showcasing more than 163 groundbreaking lab products and services. MEDLAB Americas includes a number of multi-disciplinary conferences in clinical microbiology, haematology and point-of-care testing, offering up to 13.5 CME credits.
We also have some new countries participating this year in the national pavilions, including the Welsh government and Poland, as well as Enterprise Florida, bringing the total representation to 15-plus dedicated national pavilions. The enhanced space at FIME also means that the Brazilian pavilion is on track to top last year’s $8 million U.S. revenue.
There will also be a bigger Dealers & Distributors Lounge to facilitate the increase in business opportunities and, finally, there will be Omnia, our new exhibitor directory, that makes it easier for visitors to explore the show and network.
HCB News: Why are North and Latin America important markets for medical device manufacturers?
GA: The U.S. is still the biggest medical device market in the world and is anticipating an extra $7 billion in sales in 2017. This represents around 43 percent of the global medical device market. In Latin America, the medical device market could be worth $18.4 billion by 2020. FIME continues to be the No. 1 choice for the industry to get together to enhance cooperation and do business in the world’s largest medical device marketplace.
HCB News: What are some of the main reasons people should consider attending?
GA: Certainly, the strong educational element running through the seminars and conferences is a major reason, as well as the chance to view hundreds of new and refurbished products and services, ensuring that the price point suits all manner of budgets. On top of this, there is the unique opportunity to connect with thousands of manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and medical professionals from all over the world.
HCB News: FIME has been in Miami Beach for years. What prompted the move to Orlando?
Gil Alejo: Since the Miami Beach Convention Center is undergoing major refurbishments this year, we decided to move FIME to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. We knew the quality of the event and quantity of visitors would not be compromised. The move has also meant an increase in the amount of space available from 275,000 square feet in 2016 in Miami, to 360,000 square feet in 2017 in Orlando. As a result, we were able to continue growing the show, welcoming an impressive 1,650-plus exhibitors from 40-plus countries, and attracting more that 22,000 medical and trade professionals from North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean and international markets.
Furthermore, the move to Orlando has enabled us to launch a number of new accredited conferences, as well as other medical sectors within FIME. We are also still in close contact with the MBCC and are eagerly awaiting the new and improved venue to be completed.
HCB News: Is there any discussion about looking beyond Florida in the future?
GA: FIME has been in Florida for the last 27 years and there are no plans to move. Our primary objective is just to improve, enhance and grow the event. The introduction of a strong educational element under Informa's motto of ”Exhibition with Education” is part of a long-term strategy to position FIME as a premier platform for medical education. We also aim to see an increase in attendees from both traditional and new target markets and for networking opportunities to be enhanced.
HCB News: FIME has always had a heavy international presence. Has there been any impact on attendance or concerns from attendees regarding travel to the U.S.?
GA: We have not seen any impact in this respect. The key here is to make arrangements early through our comprehensive travel information services on our website for hotels, visa and travel arrangements. We have partnered with onPeak to provide visitors with the most competitive nightly hotel rates. There is the offer of a 10 percent discount on eligible fares through FIME’s official airline partner, Delta Airlines, as well as a 15 percent discount on transportation through Sixt Rent a Car. We also assist in providing visa invitation letters to our exhibitors and to attendees once they register their attendance.
HCB News: What are this year's "must-see" events for the show?
GA: There are three new non-clinical conferences ranging from health technology innovations to 3-D medical printing and nursing. There are also free-to-attend seminars such as the medical devices business seminar and the business skills seminar, which specifically focus on the regulations and procurement processes surrounding medical devices. This is particularly relevant to dealers and distributors looking to make their business more profitable.
One of the standout features is MEDLAB Americas, a dedicated ”laboratory zone” showcasing more than 163 groundbreaking lab products and services. MEDLAB Americas includes a number of multi-disciplinary conferences in clinical microbiology, haematology and point-of-care testing, offering up to 13.5 CME credits.
We also have some new countries participating this year in the national pavilions, including the Welsh government and Poland, as well as Enterprise Florida, bringing the total representation to 15-plus dedicated national pavilions. The enhanced space at FIME also means that the Brazilian pavilion is on track to top last year’s $8 million U.S. revenue.
There will also be a bigger Dealers & Distributors Lounge to facilitate the increase in business opportunities and, finally, there will be Omnia, our new exhibitor directory, that makes it easier for visitors to explore the show and network.
HCB News: Why are North and Latin America important markets for medical device manufacturers?
GA: The U.S. is still the biggest medical device market in the world and is anticipating an extra $7 billion in sales in 2017. This represents around 43 percent of the global medical device market. In Latin America, the medical device market could be worth $18.4 billion by 2020. FIME continues to be the No. 1 choice for the industry to get together to enhance cooperation and do business in the world’s largest medical device marketplace.
HCB News: What are some of the main reasons people should consider attending?
GA: Certainly, the strong educational element running through the seminars and conferences is a major reason, as well as the chance to view hundreds of new and refurbished products and services, ensuring that the price point suits all manner of budgets. On top of this, there is the unique opportunity to connect with thousands of manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and medical professionals from all over the world.