The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has completed the licence for International Motor Industry Events (IMIE) to organise the next British International Motor Show at ExCeL in London's Docklands. Doors open to the public from July 20-30 2006.

IMIE will be headed by Rob Mackenzie, of the London Event Company and Tim Etchells from Single Market Events. SMMT head of event operations, Tim Maunder, will be operations director at the end of April. Maunder has been involved in organising car and CV shows with the SMMT since 1994.

“We have taken a number of radical steps to deliver a successful motor show in 2006 and are delighted to have forged a new partnership with IMIE,” said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan.

“While the SMMT will own the event, IMIE takes on the role of organiser. We look forward to a productive relationship and fully anticipate a successful show in the capital.”

Rob Mackenzie, co-director of IMIE, said: “We are ready to hit the ground running and will work closely with the SMMT, its members, ExCeL and the media to build a motor show for which we and the industry can be truly proud.”

IMIE will host a press launch at ExCeL on Thursday, July 21 to reveal more details about its plans for the British International Motor Show.