IMEX Frankfurt returns next week after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Running May 31 to June 2 at Messe Frankfurt, the global show is set to welcome more than 2,800 buyers from around the world and exhibitors from more than 90 countries.
“The scale of this year’s show reflects how the events sector is truly back in business and starting to thrive again,” says Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group. “Demand for face-to-face events has bounced back in a big way – there are three major tradeshows taking place concurrently at Messe Frankfurt alongside ours and this is the first time that’s happened in our 20-year history.
“So much has changed over the past three years – for the world and for our industry,” she explains. “Our sector hasn’t stood still though, with continued investment in infrastructure, new products, business models and services. I, therefore, encourage all buyers to catch up through both one-to-one appointments and stand presentations with the global range of exhibitors to discover how destinations, venues and more have evolved. It’s important to make no assumptions right now. Everything has changed and therein lies the value of this year’s IMEX. It’s the ultimate living representation of our global market – an important snapshot in time.”
IMEX Frankfurt’s exhibitor roster includes a large number of Asian destinations – Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong among others – as well as all the key European countries plus a strong presence from North and South America, including Canada, Brazil and Costa Rica. It will also have its largest-ever African representation, including Rwanda, Tunisia, Uganda and South Africa (stand from pre-pandemic edition shown in image at top of post), with Ethiopia using IMEX to launch its new convention bureau. Middle Eastern destinations are also making a strong showing and include Dubai, Israel, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
The show has also evolved to reflect the current climate for planners. With many event professionals now facing challenges around budgets, resources, supply chains and recruitment, IMEX Frankfurt has been designed to include many micro-moments specifically tailored to support the individual as well as education and discussion designed for particular roles and responsibilities.
IMEX is offering dedicated learning for association, agency, and corporate executives on the day before the show (Monday, May 30).
Exclusively Corporate is set to welcome experts from SAP, Bolt Financial and Siemens Healthineers (as well as a former Premier League Footballer and high-performance coach) for case study-led education and peer-to-peer discussions.
Agency planners can shape the focus of IMEX’s co-created Agency Directors Forum, choosing from subjects including growth opportunities, adapting to a changed event landscape, trends and technology impacting business strategy, and expectations of clients and employees around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
In addition, Association Focus will deliver learning and networking exclusively for association professionals of all levels. The collaborative program offers insight, inspiration and real-world recommendations and resolutions to the challenges facing associations across the world today.
The show is also offering a wider program of free learning, which features more than 150 sessions and six education tracks:
- Trends & Future Foresight
- Professional Development and Upskilling
- Creativity in Communication
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
- Innovation and Tech
- Purposeful Recovery.
“We’re set to give the global business events community the value, connections and support that it needs right now,” says Bauer. “IMEX in Frankfurt is a show that’s international in scope, but with many smaller value-intensive moments blended in – from face-to-face business meetings, coffee catch-ups, dedicated learning and discussions designed for different sectors of the industry. We’re really excited to see how the industry is building forwards again and look forward to welcoming our community back to IMEX in Frankfurt.”