The i2i Events Group has announced two new appointments to drive its international expansion ambitions.
 
The event organiser has appointed Gordon Payne as international director, and Hans Stoter as international sales director.
 
Payne has extensive experience in the international exhibition industry and has launched events in Europe, China, South East Asia, South America and the Middle East while working with Clarion and UBM. He is now tasked with building i2i's international plans via acquisition, geo-adapting key brands and expanding its global infrastructure.
 
Stoter meanwhile, has 15 years experience across Asia and Europe including stints with UBM and Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, launching a range of exhibitions for the pharmaceutical, boat, machinery and hospitality industries.
 
As previously reported in EN, international expansion is a key driver for the organiser following its rebranding to i2i Events Group. The rebrand was part of a restructure which saw Emap split into three distinct operating companies covering events (i2i), customer insight (4C Group) and publishing (Emap). The holding company has also dropped the Emap masthead and is now trading as Top Right Group.
  
Territories at the top of the expansion list include mainland Europe with a strong push on increasing sales from France, Italy, Germany and Spain, working with sales agents. China has also been earmarked as a significant growth area for new launches and brand cloning, while further investments will be made in Turkey, the US, India, Benelux and Scandinavia.
 
“I am delighted to welcome Gordon and Hans to the i2i team and look forward to working closely with them in building the international dimension of the portfolio,” i2i Events Group CEO Mark Shashoua said. “They bring years of experience in a number of sectors and across many markets with them, which will be invaluable for the future of the group.
 
“We have already started an exciting programme of international development for the i2i portfolio, while continuing with our focus on delivering operational excellence for visitors and exhibitors and on investment in excellent content.”
 
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