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Driving business connections and professional development – IMEX America gets started with new offerings and business at its heart

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“We evolve IMEX America every year, with new features and learning opportunities reflecting current trends. However, the core of the show remains constant – with business meetings, new deals and industry contacts powering the busy three days of the show.” Carina Bauer, CEO the IMEX Group, explains what buyers can expect from IMEX America, which begins tomorrow (September 10) in Las Vegas.

At IMEX America, taking place September 10 – 12, planners will find all they need for their events with a choice of over 3,400 representing over 150 countries. There’s an increase in exhibitors across the board including suppliers from hotels, the USA and Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the technology sector.

As ever, there’s a strong focus on business, reflected in the high number of one-to-one and group meetings that have been set up through the unique IMEX appointments system.

New exhibitors – a total of 82 altogether – include destinations Forth Worth, Cleveland, Israel, Los Cabos, Saint Lucia, Trinidad, and Knoxville. Hotels exhibiting at the show for the first time include Choice Hotels International, ITC Hotels India, Leonardo Hotels, RIU Hotels & Resorts, as well as technology suppliers including Animatic Media, Cadre, EventBots by 42Chat, InEvent, InterpreNet and Meetingmax.

Lifelong learning – inspired by the imagination

Beginning with Smart Monday, powered by MPI (taking place today), the show has a free professional education program for planners and exhibitors at all stages of their career. Boundary-breaking artist Phil Hansen launches the week’s program with his MPI keynote Embrace the shake: transforming limitations into opportunities. Hansen will take a fresh look at failure and show how it can become a source of inspiration rather than defeat.

Imagination, IMEX’s Talking Point for this year, informs much of the show floor education taking place on the Inspiration Hub, sponsored by Maritz Global Events. One example is The science behind imaginative events by EventMB.com. As research partners on this year’s IMEX industry research report, EventMB.com will present findings and case studies from their report into some of the most imaginative events in the industry. Julius Solaris’ sessions will show how to translate inspiration into business action and explain why imagination elevates performance, both professionally and personally.

Other learning sessions offer insight into how planners can use imagination to boost business through collaboration, diversity and sustainability. Greening the events industry: sustainability superheroes assemble! is a panel of industry-leading professionals – including IMEX’s own COO Nalan Emre – discussing how to work together to imagine new, greener futures and minimize waste.

Dive into the Discovery Zone

Attendee demand for all things experiential is changing the landscape for business events. IMEX America’s new Discovery Zone is packed with experiences to fire up the imagination and inspire planners to explore new approaches. It includes brain art, AR, mountain-themed challenges, mystery tattoos as well as live music and meditation.

Finally, there are countless opportunities to connect—from the glamour of the MPI Foundation Rendezvous to sweating it out on the #IMEXrun or at daily, soulful yoga and movement classes.

Carina concludes: “We work closely with our partners to create an event that brings together and champions the global business events sector, driving business connections and professional development. We’re looking forward to an exceptionally busy and productive week with a high number of appointments and business firmly on the agenda.”

IMEX America 2019 is currently taking place September 10 – 12 at the Sands Expo® Convention Center preceded by Smart Monday, powered by MPI on September 9.

Exhibitor news can be found here:

https://portal.imexamerica.com/exhibitor-press-releases.php

For further press information, please visit us at the on-site press center (Upper Lobby, Level 2, Sands Expo® Convention Center) or contact:

Emma Blake (UK): emma.blake@imexexhibitions.com    

Norman Birnbach (US): norman.birnbach@imexexhibitions.com     

IMEX AMERICA 2020

IMEX America takes place in September again next year: September 15 – 17, 2020.

#IMEXcited. Why? Because IMEX America is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2020. More details to follow soon.

IMEX in Frankfurt’s five steps to igniting imagination and powering up business results

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IMEX in Frankfurt returns on 21-23 May, bringing together business event professionals from around the world to meet and do business. Planners and exhibitors alike can also tap into the rich thread of imagination ideas and activations running through the show, forming IMEX’s Talking Point for 2019. Here are five ways attendees can ignite their imaginations and power up their business results at IMEX in Frankfurt next week:

1. Collaborate and co-create – IMEX is always the living embodiment of the phrase: ‘Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.’ This year planners can network and learn with their peers at one of the many events designed for specific audiences in the meetings and business events industry: Exclusively Corporate, Association Day, Agency Directors Forum.

The Policy Forum brings policymakers together with influential industry leaders to engage national and local governments in the advancement of our industry. This year’s red hot theme: Placemaking.

2. Think and act inclusively – Gender equality, female empowerment and diversity are the focus of She Means Business, a conference created in partnership with tw tagungswirtschaft celebrating the role of women in business and events. Anne Kjaer Riechert, Co-founder & Managing Director, ReDI School of Digital Integration, will deliver the keynote (open to all EduMonday attendees) and senior executives from organisations – including PWC, Deutsche Bank and Lufthansa HR Management, Eurometropole de Strasbourg, Rwanda Convention and Melbourne Convention – are among the speakers.

Diversity and inclusion sessions and speakers are also woven throughout the four-day IMEX education program. New for 2019 is PCMA’s #Iamremarkable workshop on EduMonday. Designed to tackle ‘gender-related modesty norms and glass ceilings’ and led by a team from Google, it will empower everyone taking part to speak openly about their accomplishments, in the workplace and beyond.

Not forgetting the industry leaders and innovators of the future, the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum brings together budding business event professionals to gain expert insight into the meetings industry, learning from and connecting with inspirational industry experts and fellow students.

3. Become more sustainable – Keep a look out for the Imagination Wall in the new Discovery Zone (Hall 9), showcasing innovations in sustainability, the IMEX team’s favorite ‘green’ household products and examples of the green products and materials used at IMEX shows. Attendees can also be inspired by huge strides in environmentally friendly practices – exhibitors who’ve signed up to IMEX’s new Sustainability Pledge, plus nominees for the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award.

“Imagine you could change the world, your country or your city with just one wish. Tell us what it would be?” Attendees are challenged to become change-makers by answering this call and pinning their wishes on the Wishing Tree, found in leafy Central Park, part of the Hall 9 Discovery Zone.

4. Unleash creativity – The sights – and smells! – of the new Discovery Zone are designed to prompt planners to question the conventional and explore fresh approaches to business meetings and events, with a strong emphasis on ‘experiential’. Expect fire-infused magic tricks, Painting Parties, holograms, dancing robots and a piano… played using your feet. Parts of the show are also infused with a new IMEX scent, designed to uplift and inspire.

EduMonday on May 20 at Kap Europa will showcase its own mini ‘Imagination Zone’, where attendees can tap into their artistic streak at a painting party or unleash some fancy moves at a silent disco to close out the day.

Many of the learning sessions at the Inspiration Hub – the show’s learning powerhouse – focus on the topic of imagination and creativity, offering a wide range of insights delivered by experts from both within and outside the global business events industry.

5. Understand the power of technology – Technology can help to drive innovation but many planners question ‘where do I begin?’ Participating in one of the technology-driven learning sessions or visiting one of the many event tech suppliers is a good place to start. Practical applications of event tech, diversity and a firm focus on future thinking all form part of a packed program of sessions at The ZEUS Innovators Club in Hall 9. New for this year is the Red Lab, where experts from outside the events sector will deliver fresh perspectives on topics such as ‘Incorporating VR, AR and AI into learning’, ‘Virtual screens and the future of workplace design’, ‘How can data transform the event industry?’ and ‘Are service robots an answer to the challenges in the meetings industry?’.

At the dedicated technology area on the show floor in Hall 8, planners can meet suppliers, experience the latest innovations and gain valuable advice – The Meeting Pool returns to head up the TECHknowledge area of the show floor, offering bite-size tech tutorials on topics including how to boost personal and professional productivity, and how technology can drive sustainability.

IMEX in Frankfurt takes place 21-23 May 2019.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Emma Ward, emma.ward@imexexhibitions.com ; Chris Lewis, chris.lewis@imexexhibitions.com

IMEX exhibitors invited to make Sustainable Exhibiting Pledge

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IMEX in Frankfurt has invited exhibitors at this year’s show (21 -23 May) to make a Sustainable Exhibiting Pledge as it continues to increase its commitment to demonstrating and leading through best practice in sustainability.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, said: “Our approach to sustainability is to lead by example, to encourage others to aim higher and to shine a spotlight on key industry campaigns. This year I’m inviting exhibitors to make a sustainable exhibiting pledge, to implement three simple green initiatives to help reduce their environmental impact at the show. A list of ideas on how to do this features in our IMEX in Frankfurt 2019 Sustainable Exhibiting Guide.”

In January the IMEX Group highlighted its commitment by making sustainability the third ‘pillar’ of this year’s IMEX Talking Point “Imagination.”

Carina Bauer explained: “We’re asking everyone in the global meetings industry to imagine a new beginning: to ask what if we all really committed to cutting down waste?

“We’ve continued to improve our own sustainability performance at both of our shows each year and we’re proud to say that our Frankfurt show is now 100 per cent hydro-powered. Thanks to our waste donation program plus the responsible recycling systems at Messe Frankfurt, we now send zero waste to landfill. This is virtually unheard of in the exhibition business!

“Our work to reduce and recycle more waste generated by both exhibitors and visitors is explained in our first ever IMEX in Frankfurt sustainability report which joins our annual IMEX America sustainability report.”

In line with its determination to lead the industry forward, IMEX was a launch partner when the Events Industry Council introduced its Principles of Sustainable Events in January after hosting two forums at IMEX in Frankfurt and IMEX America in 2018 when these principles were formulated.

A further element of its commitment to leading the industry, the IMEX team believes in sharing what it knows and has learned through experience. At IMEX in Frankfurt, learning about sustainability will feature prominently throughout the show. Starting on EduMonday, 20 May, there will be more than 20 opportunities to learn about sustainability among the 250 plus sessions in the extensive education program at the Inspiration Hub. What’s more, the first ever Sustainability Policy Round table, supported by Edmonton, will bring together industry leaders and experts to share insights at the InterContinental Frankfurt on 21 May.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Events Industry Council (EIC), IMEX will salute an organization making a significant commitment to reducing its environmental impact by announcing the winner of the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award at the IMEX Gala Dinner on 22 May.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, says: “At both shows we continue to work closely with our partners including Meet Green, EIC, The Venetian®| The Palazzo® and the Sands Expo®, Messe Frankfurt and GES. We are wholeheartedly committed to providing education, inspiration and leadership on sustainability issues. The business events industry still has a long way to go before thinking green is the first thought, not the last.”

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Moscow selected to host annual GSMA Mobile 360 Series event

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Eurasia conference, a regional event held as part of the activities of GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association), will be held in Moscow, October 8-9 2019.

The decision to host the event in Moscow was adopted as a result of an active work of the Russian Convention Bureau which provided the proposal for venues, and organized an inspection visit for representatives of the international association.

The event will be held in Moscow for the second time, following the successful launch in 2018 which gathered over 600 attendees from 21 countries and 52% were Director-level and above.

In 2019, the conference and exhibition will bring together over 600 policymakers, regulatory authorities, international organisations, Mobile Network Operators, mobile technology solution providers and broader ICT ecosystem players from Russia, the CIS region and the international market leaders in 5G technology. The event will be held at the Lotte Hotel Moscow.

Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, said: “The sphere of mobile and high technologies plays a key role in stimulating economic growth, attracting foreign investments and increasing global competitiveness through development of science and technology. Adding more industries to the list of events organized by the Russian Convention Bureau will not only facilitate the development of corresponding areas of the real economy sector but also help create the image of the country on the international arena as one of the most meaningful players on the market of the event industry.”

Alexey Kalachev, Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, said: “We use various tools of working with international associations as we work to attract various business events to Russia. We are ready to offer universal and customized solutions that will correspond to the needs and expectations of conference organizers of various scale in different industries.”

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Barbican beefs up sales team

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The Barbican, a conference and international arts venue located in London, has appointed Jenny Waller as head of sales. The expanded role will see Jenny managing the growing sales team, which includes a renewed focus on international and association markets. Jenny will be supported in her role by the newly-appointed deputy head of sales, Charlie Smith.

Jenny has been promoted from the role of senior account manager within the Barbican team, where she has already achieved a number of significant wins for the world-leading arts and conference venue. These include major corporate and association events due to take place over the coming 24 months. Prior to working at the Barbican Jenny spent four years developing industry knowledge and expertise at Park Plaza Hotels.

Charlie returns to the Barbican, where he worked as an account manager for two years between 2016 and 2018. Other experience includes time developing sales skills at both Dreamland and HMS President.

“The Barbican is going from strength to strength,” commented Jackie Boughton, head of business events at the Barbican. “Last year we opened and showcased our new cinema offering, comprised of two cinemas and supporting food and beverage, as well as exhibition or networking space capable of seating up to 150 for conferences, meetings and private screenings. When added to our wider offering it makes the Barbican one of Europe’s most comprehensive venues. This in turn has led to an increase in both association and international bookings. Jenny has been instrumental in that success over the last year and was therefore the perfect choice to take on the demanding role leading our sales team. It is also a real pleasure to welcome Charlie back to the team – his in-depth knowledge of the venue is already having a significant impact on new business development.”

Jenny responded by saying: “This is a new and exciting challenge for me. Over the course of the next year I am particularly looking forward to working alongside our association specialists as we develop that market, whilst supporting our work with a strong presence at major international trade shows and events. The UK of course remains our core market and we are delighted by the ongoing support we receive from domestic clients booking direct or via our agency partners. However, there is still significant opportunity for us to develop internationally – particularly given our ability to partner with the Barbican International Enterprises team to deliver truly inspiring content and theming. The addition of Charlie to the team ensures we have the ongoing experience and depth of knowledge needed to deliver to the highest standards for our clients.”

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IMEX to deliver surprise and creativity with new Discovery Zone

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Holograms, robots, magic, music and art are among the surprises set to inspire and delight attendees at IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 21- 23 May.

The show’s new Discovery Zone is packed with education and experiences to fire up the imagination of event planners and exhibitors alike. It’s designed to help them to question the conventional and explore fresh approaches to business events, with a strong emphasis on ‘experiential’.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “There are some surprises in store for attendees this year! We don’t believe in ‘business as usual’ and are always evolving and looking for new and engaging ways to encourage innovation in the industry – our new Discovery Zone is the perfect way to do this.”

Robots and holograms

Many innovations at the Discovery Zone turn conventional thinking on its head. Think a piano is played using hands? Think again! ‘Mister Piano’ is a walking piano played using the feet and attendees can put their fancy footwork to the test to hit the right notes. Attendees can also go hands-on and tap into their inner artist at a painting party, craft their own bespoke luggage tags and even take part in fire-infused magic tricks. A talking robot, holographic show and 360degree photography booth are also among the engaging experiences this year.

Practical applications of event tech, diversity and a firm focus on future-thinking all form part of a packed program of sessions at The ZEUS Innovators Club. Attendees will also find the Inspiration Hub – the show’s learning powerhouse – in the Discovery Zone, with sessions covering hot topics such as sustainability and diversity to business skills and creative learning.

Tap into your creative streak at the new Discovery Zone

Fresh green grass and a swing

Prepare for sensory overload and explore the great outdoors while dining indoors at the show’s food court – this has been transformed into Central Park, complete with trees, grass and even a swing! Attendees can also kick back with table football, table tennis and other games for some purposeful rest and relaxation.

Carina Bauer continues: “We know our show delivers significant business benefit to buyers and exhibitors. We also know it’s important for them to have the time and space to experiment, discover new experiences and gather fuel for fresh, innovative ideas. Our new Discovery Zone is set to deliver a huge dose of creativity, with a few surprises along the way. Inspired by this year’s Imagination Talking Point, we asked….what if we wove more experiential and fun elements into the show? What if that translated into more business benefit for everyone attending?”

As well as exploring the new corners of the show, attendees can explore new corners of host city, Frankfurt, thanks to a new interactive accommodation booking map. The map on the IMEX website, powered by Stay 22, provides a simple and efficient overview of many of the independent accommodation options in and around the German city.

Some of the IMEX team took an extended day trip to Frankfurt earlier this year to sample hidden coffee shops, bars, museums and parks in the city. They share memories and tips here.

IMEX in Frankfurt takes place 21 -23 May 2019. Registration for the show is free of charge and open to all who work in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry. EduMonday, its pre-show day of learning and development, is on 20 May (no charge to attend) at Kap Europa next to Messe Frankfurt. 

 

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IMEX Policy Forum puts future city development front and center

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Policy makers from national and regional governments worldwide will explore The Business of Placemaking with leading business events industry professionals at this year’s IMEX Policy Forum.

This year the annual Forum will take place at the InterContinental Hotel Frankfurt on Tuesday 21 May, the first day of IMEX in Frankfurt 2019.

The IMEX Policy Forum is where the business events world and public policy makers annually connect and share insights into how events such as conferences, meetings and incentive travel can make a major contribution to national and regional economies.

The enormity of this contribution has now been quantified. According to the Global Economic Significance of Business Events, the first ever worldwide study from the Events Industry Council (EIC) and conducted by Oxford Economics, the direct spend of the meeting and event industry worldwide in 2017 was more than US$1.03 trillion, matching the consumer electronics sector in size.

Leveraging the link between business events and the innovation economy

All participants have the opportunity to visit the IMEX exhibition in the morning. In the afternoon, invited ministers and senior political representatives will take part in a national government discussion in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) chaired by Martin Sirk of Sirk Serendipity. At the same time Professor Greg Clark CBE, the world-renowned advisor on cities will facilitate a city workshop specifically designed for local, municipal and regional policy makers and destination representatives, exploring ‘business meetings and the innovation economy.’

Analyzing the business opportunity for urban placemaking

The Business of Placemaking will be put into the spotlight when the keynote speech is presented by Dr Julie Grail, a leading expert and commentator on partnership and place management and a special adviser on Business Improvement Districts at the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. Julie, who has been involved in managing places for two and a half decades, has in recent years worked on international assignments in Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe and the United States.

New this year, the interactive Leadership Discussion will feature an invited panel who will present case studies from the perspective of political, urban planning and destinations stakeholders who have all played influential roles in placemaking success stories. The discussion will be moderated by leading business journalist and media advisor Ursula Errington and will provide plenty of opportunity for everyone present to contribute to the discussions.

Each year the political representatives who take part acclaim the event, saying how valuable it is to learn from their peers in other countries and from the meetings industry experts about the benefits to economic development and business tourism that investment in business events can bring.

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group commented; “Placemaking is a concept that’s long been understood and embraced by some city planners and developers alike but now the meetings and events industry understands the power and importance of being part of these conversations. This year’s agenda reflects what feels like a tipping point: a recognition that the business events industry can – and should – speak up to influence any city planning or placemaking decisions. This year’s Forum will guide by example and show the way. With its new format everyone can contribute fully to a lively discussion and gain valuable insights from the case studies.”

Organized under the auspices of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), the IMEX Policy Forum’s advocacy partners are Association Internationale des Palais de Congres (AIPC), European Cities Marketing (ECM), ICCA, The Iceberg and UNWTO. The Forum is sponsored by Turisme de Barcelona, Business Events Sydney, German Convention Bureau, Geneva Convention Bureau, Messe Frankfurt and the Meetings Mean Business Coalition.

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