The IMEX Group reports that a total of 11,764 people participated in IMEX Frankfurt 2023, which ran May 23-25 at Messe Frankfurt. Hosted and attendee buyers from 94 countries represented approximately 33 percent (3,883) of attendees. The total number of exhibiting companies reached 2,900.

Together buyers made 57,700 pre-arranged appointments, of which 47,700 were booked and confirmed before the show opened as one-on-one appointments.

The full picture reveals the buying power of each buyer category (hosted or attendee) plus their country and nature of business. For example, the majority of IMEX hosted buyers command buying power in excess of $1 million annually, with 31 per cent holding budgets between $1 million and $5 million and 28 percent who represent a potential meetings, events or incentive travel spend of $5M+. Exhibitors also attest to the seniority of IMEX buyers, 45 per cent of whom are C-level and 38 percent management level.

Speaking at the close of the show, James Rees, executive director of ExCeL London, and JMIC president said, “2023 is the new benchmark for success for IMEX. Last year was a great show, but it doesn’t compare to this year – there are more people, more quality buyers, more business being done, and more drop-ins. The aisles were constantly flowing and it’s been like that every day. One large corporate in the FinTech industry wants to bring 4,000 delegates to ExCeL to use the convention centre’s new extension in 2024.”

IMEX’s new app also gave both exhibitors and buyers access to free lead scanning for the first time,  instantly improving business connection opportunities at the show. The numbers reveal that this new feature was heavily used with participants collecting 74,000 scans throughout the week.

“This year’s IMEX Frankfurt gave the industry a more accurate feel for the post-pandemic market,” says Carina Bauer, CEO IMEX Group. “Clearly there are some big factors still at play – the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruption and rising prices. However, the upside, and it’s a strong one, is that pent-up demand is still playing out and there’s a renewed commitment to – and need for – face to face events. That particular driver is now based on engaging dispersed company workforces, building or enriching community and creating memory and learning-rich events that power-up brands and revenue streams.

“Although the global events industry has been through a tough period, wherever you look the value proposition for well-designed, inclusive live events has never been stronger. And, where some parts of the supply chain have historically been slow or reluctant to adapt, there’s a new willingness to change that’s helping the whole market to expand and respond to current business needs, ” she concludes.

Read or download the IMEX Frankfurt statistics for 2023.