Changes at IMEX Group are set to be revealed onsite at
this year's IMEX Frankfurt.
Show organisers are promising “a few surprises” at the show,
which takes place on 23-25 May at Messe Frankfurt.
An IMEX spokesperson said: “IMEX Frankfurt evolves every
year, and this latest edition is no exception. This time around, however,
attendees can expect a few surprises - the IMEX Group is set for change, with
details to be revealed onsite.”
Buyer demand continues to track upwards ahead of the show,
with 3,000 buyers registered so far.
Suppliers lined up to exhibit include: Europe –
Germany, France, Spain and Croatia; North & South America – Peru along with
Boston and Georgia (both of which are increasing their presence); Asia – Hong
Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. Sarawak, the largest of Malaysia’s 13
states, will have its own stand for the first time and will also be joined by
the region's tourism minister.
Hotel groups Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, NH Hotels and
Radisson are among the exhibitors expanding their presence along with
destinations - Boston, Georgia, Los Cabos and Morocco.
Strong demand
Despite bumpy economic headwinds, demand for in-person
events is strong and many parts of the global market have responded with
investment in refurbishments, new properties, product innovations, new
technologies and enhanced attendee experiences.
IMEX Frankfurt will also be the stage for several news
announcements including Cairns Convention Centre, which is set to re-open this
spring following a major refurbishment and expansion. The Asia Convention
Alliance will hold its inaugural event during IMEX while Cvent are among
several suppliers presenting new research.
Education programming centres on IMEX’s 2023 Talking Point –
‘Human Nature’ – which gives attendees the chance to learn and embrace skills
such as public speaking, experiential design, emotional intelligence as a
leadership skill, focused attention and more.
IMEX Frankfurt 2023 also makes allowance for sessions of
evergreen interest including contract negotiations, talent acquisition and
management, incentive programming and food and beverage planning.
Extensive learning
An extensive, free programme of 150 educational and
networking events starts with education for specialist audiences the day before
the show, on Monday 22 May, followed by six tracks of general learning that run
Tuesday to Thursday on the show floor’s Inspiration Hub.
1. Technology and innovation: Here attendees can delve into
new technologies or learn how to increase their use and variety of technology
to enhance, measure and improve their events. At the More than Experience Lab,
DRPG and Maritz will offer up-to-the-minute tech-focused, design-thinking sessions.
2. Trends and research: Industry-leading organisations and
associations – including SITE, EIC, MMGY and AMEX – are set to release new or
updated research and offer guidance on what it means for the future of events.
3. People and planet: IMEX’s People & Planet Village is
home to best practice, activations and advice from those at the forefront of
sustainability. Education and discovery sessions include a close look at UN Sustainable
Development Goal no 6 – water - plus a panel on which Mariela McIlwraith from
Meeting Change examines the future of air travel with aerospace experts.
4. Business practices: Planners currently need fresh
insights and ideas for navigating change including how to manage inflationary
pressures, attract new talent and motivate remote teams. According to Eszter
Mattiassich-Aszody from Siemens Healthineers and international crisis leader
Thomas Lahnthaler, these leadership and life lessons can come from surprising
sources, such as children. Eszter explains: “It’s interesting to observe the
sheer flexibility of their minds....there are no barriers.”
5. Experience design: Creating an enduring sense of
belonging or engaging a dispersed community ranks high on list for many event
planners. In his case study presentation, Brian Allan, founder of Rock Your
Business, will reveal what it took to bring together Ukrainian refugee children
through his Choral Singing Workshops. To date he has conducted workshops for
over 10,000 children to raise funds to open weekend centres around Poland where
children can receive musical therapy via choir and music workshops.
6. Event marketing: “We live in a neuroscience-based world
where understanding the values participants bring to an event can power its
success,” says David Allison. Allison will be joined by Google’s Megan Henshall
and founder of Storycraft Lab, Naomi Clare, in How to measure and manifest
belonging for events ; A collaboration between Valuegraphics and the Google
Experience Institute (Xi).
“While doing business and powering industry growth sit at
the heart of our forthcoming show, IMEX Frankfurt is designed to deliver an
enriching, broad experience that ripples further than the eye can see. We
recognise that creating experiences, not events, is more important than ever
and that people in our global industry also want to feel connected, revived and
re-inspired. We’re happy to lead the way and play our part,” said Carina Bauer,
CEO of the IMEX Group.
