Critical conversations between destinations and policy makers will take place at IMEX Frankfurt 2023’s Policy Forum, which is being held Tuesday, May 23, the first day of the show.
IMEX reports that more than 30 global destinations have already confirmed their interest in participating in the intensive, half-day Forum, and that there has also been significant interest from policy makers, including representatives at the national, regional and city level from destinations across Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa.
With the emphasis on active discussion and input from all, the Policy Forum is comprised of two concurrent peer-to-peer discussion groups followed by an Open Forum. One concurrent session is a workshop designed for local, municipal and city policy makers, facilitated by Professor Greg Clark CBE, Global Urbanist and leading advisor of cities and businesses. The other session brings together national government ministers and representatives of travel and tourism and economic affairs to discuss the national agenda, chaired by Martin Sirk, from Sirk Serendipity, and Geneviève Leclerc, president and CEO, #MEET4IMPACT.
The Open Forum, moderated by Jane Cunningham, director of European Engagement for Destinations International, sees destination representatives and business events leader join policy makers for interactive roundtable discussions. These discussions will draw on innovative case studies, research studies and whitepapers, bringing everyone together to debate different viewpoints and challenge perspectives.
‘To ensure future success for our sector, we need to chart a path where we can survive and thrive. To do this, we need to start holding uncomfortable conversations, not only with the usual suspects, our industry colleagues and clients, but with skeptical policy makers and experts who will challenge our assumptions and stretch us to find unexpected solutions!” explains Natasha Richards, head of Advocacy & Industry Relations at the IMEX Group.
The Forum aims to create a roadmap that benefits and unites both policy makers and industry leaders, and will help set the agenda for future high-level conversations and in-depth research and to help build better partnerships and understanding of the value, relevance and impact of business events.
“The aim of the Forum is simple – to identify and build consensus on the most critical advocacy issues,” says Richards. “We encourage all destinations participating at IMEX Frankfurt to invite their local, regional or national policy maker to the show. It’s crucial that these conversations take place and they key decision makers experience first-hand the full breadth and clout of our marketplace.”
The IMEX Policy Forum is organized in collaboration with City Destinations Alliance (City DNA), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), Meetings Mean Business Coalition, Destinations International, the Iceberg and German Convention Bureau, under the auspices of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and Events Industry Council (EIC).
IMEX Frankfurt 2023 runs May 23-25, 2023, at Messe Frankfurt.