New insights, inspiration for Mice sector

Three days of valuable business opportunities, networking and a comprehensive education programme will be offered by Imex in Frankfurt 2016, a leading event for exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events sector.

The show, which will run from April 19 to 21 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany, has been developed following feedback from buyers and exhibitors and is designed to address some of the hot topics in the meetings and events sector, says Imex Group, the organiser.

New educational initiatives, new exhibitors and an expanded hosted buyer programme are the highlights of the show. More than 20 new hosted buyer groups from around the world are set to attend this year. These include buyers from the US, Poland, China, South Africa and South America, apart from UNICEO, the network for corporate event decision makers.

Demand for the show from returning and new exhibitors is exceptionally high from destinations, venues and service providers from across the world, despite the event being held one month earlier than usual, says a spokesperson.

Among the 3,500 exhibitors who represent 150 countries, Imex will feature a host of new meetings industry suppliers, destinations and venues who use the show to launch their products and services to the market.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the Imex Group, says: 'We have worked hard to innovate and develop Imex in Frankfurt from all angles – looking at the show experience for hosted buyers, exhibitors and other visitors. These innovations will be seen across the show – from small details in the hosted buyer lounge – to larger events and educational initiatives.

'As the industry continues to develop we are determined to ensure that Imex in Frankfurt not only provides the industry with the business opportunities that it expects, but also provides buyers and suppliers alike with insights, new knowledge and inspiration for their own programmes, businesses or events,' she says.

Last year as many as 3,500 exhibitors from 150 countries took part in the show. There were 3,952 hosted buyers and trade visitors numbered 4,935. Revised group appointment timings will give buyers more time to explore the show floor, discovering new exhibitors, education and networking opportunities.

Buyers can meet numerous new exhibitors such as Sardinia, Catalunya Convention Bureau, Wyndham Hotels, Condor Airlines, Variety Cruises and ESA Central and South America. Many established exhibitors have expanded their stand space, including Qatar Tourism Authority, Sri Lanka, Serbia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Portugal; and hotel groups such as Hilton International, Maritim Hotels and Preferred Hotels.

TOPICAL EDUCATION

David Dubois, immediate past chair of the Convention Industry Council and president and CEO of IAEE, is set to deliver the keynote at the opening ceremony.

With over 180 education sessions at Imex in Frankfurt this year, visitors are sure to find sessions that match their needs. The Inspiration Hub, home to all the show floor education, will host experts exploring business skills, creative learning, diversity, general education, health and wellbeing, marketing/ social media, personal development, sustainability, technology, trends and research.

New for this year is a series of short and snappy talks focused on ‘Trends and Future-Think’. These TED-style talks, brought to Imex in Frankfurt by the Swedish Network of Convention Bureaus, promise to introduce an ‘innovative Swedish interactive learning experience’.

The sharing economy is a hot topic at the show this year, explored through the comprehensive education programme including a panel session of sharing economy pioneers discussing 'How can we work with the new sharing economy?'

Senior representatives from MeetingRooms.com, VizEat and Maritz Travel Company will detail their experiences and explore how the ‘old’ and new economies can work together for mutual benefit. Jean-Michel CEO and co-founder of VizEat, the European leader of social dining, will further explore the shared economy, particularly food tourism and authenticity, in his session 'The unexpected power of shared meals'.

‘Business is Personal’ is another major area of focus with sessions designed to help buyers and exhibitors to grow and develop both professionally and personally. Business skills and personal development educational tracks explore this theme with sessions on leadership skills, developing confidence and fostering strong connections. There are also numerous ways for both buyers and exhibitors to join the ‘Business is Personal’ theme off the show floor, via meditation and yoga sessions.

Fresh from its success at Imex America, the Play Room will host its interactive ‘quirkshops’ at Imex in Frankfurt. Play With A Purpose brings this new feature to the show, providing a creative, interactive, hands on 'play space' designed to provide a fresh look at meeting planning.

DEDICATED FEATURES

As part of the show’s comprehensive education programme, PCMA Business School is bringing its prestigious business school to Europe for the first time alongside Imex in Frankfurt. This free of charge programme is open to all and offers executives the chance to develop core business skills and learn from an MBA level professor.

Exclusively Corporate @Imex is a dedicated education and networking event solely for corporate meeting and event planners. Leading business strategist Dr Kaihan Krippendorff will deliver a keynote on how to develop ‘mental agility’, sharing insights from his study of over 200 successful innovators.

At a Mock Trial, new for this year, participants can try their hand at becoming prosecution and defence lawyers exploring a real, ethical scenario in an authentic courtroom setting in an engaging, entertaining educational session.

A dedicated education and networking event exclusively for association executives, Association Day, attracts around 300 professionals from 40 countries each year. This year’s collaborative programme has been developed in response to issues raised by participants at last year’s event – how to remain relevant.

Finally, the renowned Politicians Forum brings together up to 40 politicians and political influencers with around 80 industry leaders to discuss building and sustaining a successful meetings industry. This year the keynote speaker is Stuart Ayres, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events for New South Wales, Australia, detailing ‘How Meetings and Events Can Fulfil Political Optimism’.

International Special Events Society (ISES) will bring its Global Event Summit to the show for the first time.

The Imex Group also runs Imex America, America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, which will take place from October 18 to 20.