ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) AND THE WORLD BANK GROUP (WB)

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Annual Meetings of the IMF / WB were, together, the largest and most prestigious event we have ever organized. The meetings were held from 23 to 27 September 2000 in the Prague Congress Centre (PCC).

We handled accommodation requests for all the guests of the Czech Ministry of Finance, transport services, on-site security, registration, catering and social events. We also provided comprehensive technical support for the event.

All our staff were involved in preparing for the meetings. This meant that our 35 project managers and 165 freelance employees worked alongside more than 2500 staff of the IMF / WB Joint Secretariat.

PREPARING THE EVENT

Our work began as early as 1994 when we assisted the Czech National Bank in meeting with the IMF / WB Joint Secretariat. We prepared proposals for venue selection, logistical and technical support. In 1997 we were a part of the Czech delegation to the Annual Meetings that were held in Hong Kong. There, we participated in meetings with the Czech planning team, local organisers and the IMF / WB Joint Secretariat.

From 1998 onwards, of the many service suppliers to the Czech Ministry of Finance and the IMF / WB, we were the only professional congress organiser.  

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The key to success of the Annual Meetings was the set-up and management of a large-scale technical infrastructure. This included an extensive voice and data network with hundreds of digital and analogue phones and fax machines. 32 computer servers and over 700 PCs were connected by 600 km of data cables. We handled both audio-visual equipment and interpreting services for all the meetings. Nearly 400 on-site technicians ensured the smooth running of the event. A quarter of these technicians focused exclusively on the audio and video broadcast and recording system. 

OTHER SERVICES

In addition to our work at the Prague Congress Centre, we organized numerous other events and activities for the IMF / WB Annual Meetings. In just during, the day before the official event opening, we simultaneously ran 22 smaller conferences. We handled sponsorship issues, including the management of a fleet of 250 sponsored chauffeur driven VIP cars. Our team also organised and managed a number of social events for 150 - 600 people, the highlight of which was a gala seated dinner in Prague Castle´s Spanish Hall. We also arranged sightseeing tours of Prague and its environs for delegates and their accompanying persons, concerts and other cultural events.
 

TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN FIGURES