Masters of Reinvention: IMEX in Frankfurt Raises the Bar for 2017

IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 16-18 May 2017 at Messe Frankfurt, is set to provide a newly inspiring experience this year, one that’s been fine-tuned to fit the needs of a variety of visitors.

Alongside a wealth of new exhibitors and networking opportunities, the IMEX team is launching a brand new education experience, EduMonday, taking place the day before the show on 15 May.

Carina Bauer, CEO of The IMEX Group, explains: "IMEX is always evolving and this year is no exception. In response to feedback from our visitors and exhibitors as well as changes in the wider industry, we’re offering brand-new ideas, business opportunities, education sessions and networking programmes – all designed to help event planners and other visitors build their business and develop their industry knowledge and skills."

EduMonday combines contemporary learning styles with hot industry topics and the latest personal development teachings. With registration free of charge and open to all, this new pre-show day will offer training in event design, critical thinking, industry trends as well as education specifically for suppliers. This new IMEX EduMonday programme delivers a contemporary, interactive approach with experts from the new Zeus Eventtech Academy, GCB (German Convention Bureau), Meetology® Masterclasses and Play with a Purpose all taking part.

IMEX is also offering Event Design Certificate Programme Level 1 of Mastery as part of a three-year agreement with the Event Design Collective. This will allow 30 English and 30 German-speaking event professionals to take their career to the next level by taking this certification free of charge on the day.

Carina Bauer continues: "EduMonday is a chance for planners and exhibitors alike to immerse themselves in fresh ideas, new habits and different approaches. This pre-IMEX day is a core part of our overall aim to educate, innovate and help our clients make powerful connections with the right people."

PCMA Business School also returns on EduMonday following its launch into Europe at the show last year. During an interactive session participants will learn the importance of emotional intelligence and critical thinking from renowned executive coach and educator Tremaine du Preez. She will teach attendees how to improve their understanding of how they – and others – make decisions, recognising how emotions drive decision-making. "We can’t make completely rational decisions," explains Tremaine. "Emotion is like a cocktail – each one has a different effect on the body. In the same way that a Long Island iced tea has a different effect to a mojito!"

From Tuesday 16 May, a wider programme of free education runs across the three days of the trade show with 150 sessions, including workshops, campfires and bite-sized show-floor education. Participants can choose from carefully selected tracks to build a bespoke schedule that complements their daily exhibitor appointments.

The future of events will once again be a hot topic at IMEX with the IAEE exploring Global exhibitions and events industrytrends. MPI will also be offering a deep dive into the industry’s business trends based on their most recent Meetings Outlook research. The German Convention Bureau (GCB) will share the latest impact trends, innovations, and societal developments as part of their Future Meeting Space project. The future of destination marketing will be covered by DMAI, and ILEA’s global panel of 'Global Event Summiters' will share their views on how the economy is shaping the event business.

An industry hot topic and new IMEX Talking Point, Purposeful Meetings, will be explored in a session by Janet Sperstad, recently rated as one of the top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry (Successful Meetings). She will present white paper research on the five ‘pillars’ of purposeful meetings: Meeting design, Wellbeing, Behavioural science, CSR/Legacy and Event technology.

Whether it’s hotel chains or hotel brands, new technologies, association or corporate meetings trends, travel legislation or even climate change, as a truly global showcase for the meetings and events industry IMEX is the best place to gain a snapshot of the whole market. With the largest global array of exhibitors from every meetings industry sector, buyers can meet 3,500 worldwide organisations and hundreds of meeting professionals and discover the latest trends under one roof.

This year’s show will be bigger than ever, with a wide range of opportunities to do business and find inspiration. New exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, Meet Puerto Rico, Barcelona, Vienna House Hotels, Hunt & Palmer Air Charter, The Peninsula Hotels, Moldova and tech suppliers – Kino-Mo, Boomset and EventsCase.

Combined with more than 200 networking opportunities with senior level meeting professionals, and social events including Site Nite Europe, CIM-Clubbing and the IMEX Gala Dinner, this adds up to three inspiring and productive days of business – plus one dedicated education day.

IMEX in Frankfurt takes place at Messe Frankfurt from 16-18 May 2017 with EduMonday on 15 May (separate registration required).

Registration is free of charge and open online: https://portal.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php?login=1