In the early formative years of the IMG, two members were allowed from each country. This was subsequently changed to one in 1959 during which year Tekenbroek left the group. Cason-Kläder, as original charter members, remained on as the second Swedish member and Sven Cason elected secretary. Subsequently, Sven Cason was re-elected secretary remaining integral to the group even after retiring from his position as an executive director of Cason-Kläder.

THE PROUD FATHERS - AMSTERDAM 1958

THE PROUD FATHERS - AMSTERDAM 1958

Meetings were scheduled to take place in early autumn and early spring each year. This was changed in 1966 to just one annual conference scheduled in September and in the 70’s to May which to this day is the customary month for the gathering of what is now a far larger and more international group.

Since 1958, when the inaugural conference took place in Amsterdam, meetings have been convened in Zürich, Stockholm, Rome, Copenhagen, The Hague, Malmö, Lausanne, London, Paris, Cologne, Helsinki, Hamburg, Barcelona, Lugano, and Düsseldorf; Graz, Toronto, Berlin, Reykjavik, New York, Melbourne, not necessarily in that order and sometimes more than once.

Circumstances have invariably dictated the fortunes and misfortunes of members of the IMG and sadly there have been some casualties along the way. But for such a group to have not only survived but prospered is astounding when one considers the pressures and preoccupations that all businesses are subjected to particularly over the past 20 years.

Certainly the IMG self-regulates and insists on very strict guidelines of confidentiality and behaviour. Certainly, also, it takes a particular quality and calibre of member to maintain the sort of dedication and proactive contribution required making the group as a whole function effectively and to everyone’s advantage.

Thus does the IMG constantly review its purpose and goals to make sure that what comes out of their continual interaction, both at conference and inter-conference level, is seen to be of practical and philosophical ‘take-home’ value to each member.