IMEX Frankfurt 2023 will welcome exhibitors and buyers from around the world when it opens its doors next week.

Running May 23-25 at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, the show’s organizer reports strong international demand and, most notably, a significant bounce back from Asia thanks to the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions.

Indonesia, Taiwan, India and Sri Lanka are all exhibiting at the show. They are joined by Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong, all of which are set to deliver major press announcements. Newcomer Sarawak, the largest of Malaysia’s 13 states, will have its own stand for the first time and will have the region’s Tourism Minister in attendance.

In total, IMEX Frankfurt 2023 is set to welcome nearly 3,000 exhibiting companies representing more than 100 countries and 3,500+ global buyers.

Destinations, venues and suppliers from every corner of the world will be at the show, with strong representation from Europe, including Germany, France and Spain; North & South America – including Brand USA, which is exhibiting for the first time, while Boston and Georgia have both increased their presence.

International hotel groups plus smaller boutique hotels will be showcasing their venues, with many introducing new service offerings or properties. Some big names have increased their presence for 2023 including Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, NH Hotels and Radisson.

Education sessions rip up the rulebook

The show’s learning program has been stepped up with fresh formats, topical subjects and speakers who rip up the rulebook. This includes the Encore Ideation Station where the team will turn traditional education sessions on their head with snappy seven-minute presentations. They promise a “super-secret finish to the workshops.”

The Google Experience Institute (Xi) CoLabs is a series of mini design-thinking sprints shining a light on the key topics the global Xi community is currently exploring. This is a unique opportunity to experience Google’s forward-thinking and highly inclusive collaboration models and techniques. Megan Henshall, global events strategic solutions lead at Google, explains: “Being champions for good in the world, using our discipline to promote cultural shifts that are going to put us all in a better place – we can do that. This is the stuff that’s going to attract the next generation.”

Headline speakers at IMEX Frankfurt 2023 are lined up to share some solid, practical advice, designed to both power professional and personal development. Best-selling author, leadership and sales training expert Christopher Kai’s session, “Science-based sales strategies made simple,” will see him zone in on how to be more successful in sales by building rapport through science-based storytelling.

Headliner Alex Brueckmann works at the intersection of strategy, leadership, performance and empowerment. His sessions at the show – in both English and German language – focus on moving beyond purpose to impact. Alex explains: “For an organization’s purpose to have meaning, it must go beyond simply making money or providing jobs. The answer lies in shifting the focus from purpose to impact.”

All these sessions form part of the extensive, free program of 150 educational and networking events at IMEX Frankfurt 2023. The learning journey starts with education for specialist audiences the day before the show, on Monday May 22 followed by six tracks of general learning that run Tuesday to Thursday on the show floor’s Inspiration Hub.  Attendees can also search and personalize education choices according to CMP/CE credits or CSEP approval.