IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer: a time to give back to the MICE industry. Credit: IMEX Group
FRANKFURT - IMEX Group, organisers of the IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America meetings industry trade shows, will launch PlanetIMEX, a new virtual learning and networking experience, on May 6. The event is based on the organisers' "desire to give back to the international business events, meetings and incentive travel industry," following the cancellation of IMEX Frankfurt 2020.
PlanetIMEX is based around three, 3D, interactive "islands." Online visitors will be granted unlimited free access to a variety of content and activities on the beach-themed Community Island; the forest-inspired Education Island, and the Networking Island, which is outfitted with canyons, mountains and valleys. The purpose is for visitors to explore, reconnect, talk future business and continue learning with friends and peers from the global business events community.
"We decided early on that we wanted to gift something back to the industry we love while continuing our commitment to providing high quality education, business and networking value," said IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer.
"Rather than switch to a one-off online event… we opted for innovation through transformation. Instinctively, we looked to our Nature Talking Point for inspiration." (IMEX selects an annual talking point/theme for their two industry trade shows.)
PlanetIMEX will kick off on May 6 with the opening of Community and Education Islands. Education programming (known as EduMonday) starts on May 11 and will feature a keynote by Mr Guy Bigwood, managing director of the Global Destination Sustainability Index. All education content will reside on a platform designed and developed by Cvent.
The following day, May 12, is IMEX Community Day and will feature content delivered by a range of IMEX Group's association and other partners. IMEX Introductions, scheduled for May 14, will foster one-to-one conversations and encourage industry buyers and suppliers to explore new business relationships.
On May 18, PlanetIMEX will provide content for specialists, aimed at specific buyer communities, identified as corporate, association and agency directors.
IMEX Group intends to expand the offerings of PlanetIMEX over the next several months. While access is free, registration is required for both Education Island and IMEX Introductions.
This is an abridged version of an article that first appeared in Northstar Meetings Group.