The return of IMEX in Frankfurt is set to supercharge the sector's current momentum, according to IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer.
The trade show takes place at Messe Frankfurt on 31 May – 2 June 2022 for the first time in three years.
“From our conversations with buyers, suppliers and partners around the world, we know there’s a huge appetite to meet in person and to be together again, doing business and building forwards better,” said Bauer.
“The return of IMEX in Frankfurt this May is set to supercharge this momentum, bringing the global business events community together for three days of business, networking, inspiration and celebrating the sheer joy of being face to face again. We can’t wait to see old friends, make new connections and enjoy the energy of the show floor together with our friends from across the globe.”
The destinations, venues and suppliers confirmed so far span the world and include: Boston, Cuba, Egypt, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Istanbul, Malta, Meliá Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Titanic Hotels, Singapore and Spain.
More than 2,000 buyers from agencies, corporates, associations and more have already committed to attending the show and with three months still to go, many more are expected to join them. New intermediaries are bringing buyer groups from countries as far afield as Australia, Brazil and the USA. Ten hotel intermediaries including Melia, Hilton, Marriott, Radisson and Hyatt are also set to bring their international clients to the show in force.
As well as meeting suppliers, colleagues and clients all in the one global marketplace, planners can also refresh their skillsets with dedicated education taking place the day before IMEX in Frankfurt, on Monday 30 May.
Experts from Facebook, Google, SAP, KPMG, Bolt and LinkedIn lead a programme of learning and networking for corporate executives. Case study‐led education and peer‐to‐peer discussions will cover several topics, including how experiential marketing and innovation are revolutionising corporate events and how to reduce the environmental impact of events.
Agency planners can shape the focus of IMEX’s co‐created Agency Directors Forum, choosing what best fits their needs from subjects including: growth opportunities, lessons learned from the pandemic, adapting to a changed event landscape, trends and technology impacting business strategy and reconsidering staffing options.
Separately, Association Focus will deliver learning and networking exclusively for association professionals of all levels. The collaborative programme offers insight, inspiration and real‐world recommendations and resolutions to the challenges facing associations across the world today.
Education
A free learning programme, open to all, takes place during the three days of the show. More than 150 education sessions will address the most urgent business issues of the moment including: community engagement, sustainable leadership, brand‐building, regenerative event management and policy engagement. Experts will share first‐hand experiences gathered from their time within the business events sector or, in the case of Paul McVeigh, from the world of elite sport.
As a Premier League and international football player for Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and Northern Ireland, Paul competed with and against the best players in the world, which has shaped his understanding of high performance and the psychology of success. In his session, Psychology of Performance for Leaders, Paul will outline the mental tools required to elevate the performance of leaders and teams from organisations across the world.
He explains: “After 28 years competing, observing and study elite performance, I’m fascinated by the habits and behaviours that people who’ve reached the top of their chosen field have in common. However, no time‐blocking technique, influence skills or life hacks can improve your performance if what’s going on inside your head is full of ineffective and unhelpful thoughts, contradictions, or doubts. Being the best you can be is an inside job and it starts and ends with your own mindset. At IMEX in Frankfurt, I’ll be sharing some of the 'tried and tested' techniques that elite performers use to help them reach – and more importantly stay at – the top of their game.”
Fine tuning leaderships skills to hone‐in on the three Ps – people, planet, profit – will be the focus of another education session by Claudia van't Hullenaar, founder of Sustained Impact. In her session, Why we need conscious leadership and mindset shifts for a regenerative future, Claudia will share details on how business leaders can manage companies with environment, society, and long‐term sustainable development goals in mind.
Sustainability in the spotlight
The IMEX Group will be demonstrating its commitment to sustainability through its Talking Point for this year, “Giving Nature a Second Chance”. This will be championed at the IMEX|EIC People & Planet Village, a dedicated area of the show floor where IMEX’s own ‘Green Squad’ will share what the company is doing around sustainability and DEI as well as showcasing best practice and ideas from across the industry. The show itself will also be measuring its sustainability performance for the first time, with results distributed openly post‐show.
Carina Bauer added: “The year marks 20 years of IMEX in Frankfurt and we’re set to share a very special edition of the show, one that centres on cherishing human connections. Our connection to the planet, our community, our purpose and each other will all be celebrated at the show. This May, the global business events sector can expect a best‐in‐class business experience, full of transformational ideas. Above all, we’ll be relishing the chance to be together again, talking business and planning ahead for 2023 and beyond.”
Registration is free at www.imex‐frankfurt.com.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
