New Sustainability Hub – green just keeps getting greener
In addition, the corporate responsibility centre now becomes the Sustainability Hub – powered by GMIC (Green Meeting Industry Council). The Hub will act as a focus for environmental and community project information and will host a series of drop-in workshops as well as offering live case studies from previous IMEX Green Award winners. ‘How to go green’ power-sessions with advice about where and how to start, as well as information on more advanced green policies and current practices will also be back by popular demand.
Badgeback programme to benefit two Frankfurt charities
For the first time, two local Frankfurt charities will benefit from the IMEX Badgeback programme: Lichtblick aktiv Schwester Sigrid, a homeless shelter run by Franciscan Sister, Sigrid Ehrlich, and Maisha’s Sewing Project, an employment programme for African women now living in Frankfurt. All visitors leaving the show will be offered the chance to deposit their recyclable and reusable badges into one of two collection bins, each representing one of the charities. Each badge will represent a donation of one Euro.
Reworked Association Day programme – senior association speakers
Other highlights in what promises to be a memorable 10th IMEX include a redesigned programme for Association Day. Having been running – and consistently expanding – for 10 years, the IMEX Group, together with its association partners, took the decision to rework the day’s education content and formats to align more closely to the evolving roles and responsibilities of association executives. As a result, all of the day’s seminars and workshops now fit into one of three new tracks: operations, executive and meetings.
Sessions will vary from three-hour ‘Deep Dives’, to case studies, panel discussions, workshops and a new 30 minute ‘Ask the Expert’ clinic. Speakers include Board Directors from leading associations such as PCMA, ICCA, the European Cancer Organisation (ECCO) and the Optical Society, ensuring that the day provides exceptional learning value for all 300 participants. Association Day takes place on Monday 21st May at the Messe Frankfurt Congress Center, with the popular evening networking reception, which is open to exhibitors, suppliers and partner association members, taking place at The Westin Hotel.
Another strong element in this year’s IMEX will be the 10th Politicians Forum. This year up to 30 politicians and 70 industry leaders will meet at the prestigious Villa Kennedy (a Rocco Forte Hotel). Sir Rocco Forte will be the day’s keynote speaker. Chair of the UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Events, Nick de Bois, MP, will also take part, as well as being special guest speaker at the IMEX Opening Ceremony. Participants will also see a first screening of a short promotional film, produced by International Meetings: Review, which features an interview with Mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders. Sanders is widely credited with turning the city’s fortunes around by promoting it as the “biotech city of the world” and creating 40,000 new jobs in the process. Since 1989 San Diego has used business events to put an extra 18 billion USD into the city’s economy. Politicians Forum members will also hear a series of live case studies from other destination leaders; each sharing success stories and elaborating on how they worked in alliance with local politicians to achieve common economic and other goals for their destinations.
10th anniversary highlights
Chief among the changes designed into this year’s show to commemorate its 10th anniversary will be a special ‘Celebration Hour’ from 1700 hours on Wednesday 23rd May. During this special hour exhibitors are being invited to provide entertainment, food and drink to help create a party atmosphere on the show floor. The atmosphere is expected to spill over into the IMEX Gala Dinner, later the same night at Frankfurt’s Alte Oper. The dinner will feature several ‘birthday surprises’ plus entertainment from Björn Again, who have been IMEX’s single, most-requested repeat performers over the last decade.
Results of the Power of 10 research study, which was commissioned by IMEX to mark its 10th anniversary, will also be presented at the show. Conducted by Fast Future Research, who ran the highly acclaimed Convention 2020 study, the research will divulge interviews from 10 senior industry professionals in each of 10 meetings and events sectors to give an extensive picture of the state of the industry. The study also looks back to some of the most memorable and defining moments of the past 10 years, as well as looking ahead to the next 10. A student essay competition and a comprehensive email survey (with a $1 donation being made to Save The Children for every complete survey submitted) will add further valuable perspectives to its findings. The Power of 10 is sponsored by long-time partners of IMEX: CPO Hanser, Frankfurt Convention Bureau, Messe Frankfurt and the German Convention Bureau.
Looking ahead to what promises to be a busy and highly enjoyable 10th IMEX in Frankfurt, Chairman Ray Bloom says: “We’re very excited about our 10th anniversary show and we’re hoping to surpass last year’s record hosted buyer attendance. There’s also excellent development on the exhibitor side. Everything is set for us to deliver our usual combination of excellent business opportunities, networking and thought-provoking professional development and education too. Above all, the IMEX team and I look forward to ensuring that we provide the best possible service so that all our exhibitors and buyers have an extremely successful IMEX and come away more than pleased with the results.
