What to expect at IMEX Frankfurt 2023

Asia is expected to make a bigger presence at the annual show as registration opens.

IMEX Frankfurt 2023 is set to takes place 23–25 May at Messe Frankfurt.
IMEX Frankfurt 2023 is set to takes place 23–25 May at Messe Frankfurt.

Registration for IMEX Frankfurt 2023, which takes place 23–25 May at Messe Frankfurt, is now open.

Following a stronger-than-expected market comeback last year for the springtime trade show, the 2023 edition of IMEX Frankfurt is expected reflect many of the big shifts and changes in the meetings and events industry globally. As a buying force, the Chinese market is back and Asia in general is booming, driving event demand, locally and internationally. The big tech companies in South Korea are one of several factors behind this growth.

International hotel groups plus smaller boutique hotels will be making their presence felt on the show floor, many introducing new service offerings or properties. One example, host city Frankfurt, has added to its hotel portfolio with new openings including the Scandic Hafenpark and B’Mine, the first WorldHotels Crafted Collection hotel in Germany.

Destinations, venues and suppliers span the world and include Croatia, Malaysia, Peru, Portugal, Ras Al Khaimah and Spain. Sarawak, the largest of Malaysia’s 13 states, will have its own stand for the first time and will also be joined by the region's tourism minister during the show.

On the hospitality groups, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Radisson are among the exhibitors expanding their presence onsite.

New co-located events

The IMEX 2023 Talking Point – Human Nature – is the backbone to the show’s four-day education programme, plus many of show-floor activations, both from IMEX as well as partners and sponsors.

Specialist buyer events will take centre stage on Monday, 22 May, with programmes such as Association Focus, Agency Directors Forum and Exclusively Corporate, which have been designed to provide market sector insights, knowledge and guidance fit for the business reality of 2023 and beyond.

New co-located events for 2023 include MICE Impact Academy, an exclusive invite-only education event for German planners, and ELX (Event Leaders Exchange), a two-year old community of senior event corporate event leaders from over 3,000 headcount organisations with more than US$3billion annual revenue, or who run more than 700 events per year.

Of its six education tracks, one is brand new. ‘Event Marketing’ recognises the growing need for event planners to have marketing expertise and especially to understand how digital marketing continues to influence event design and customer journeys. ‘Business Practices’ will address evergreen commercial skills, such as contract negotiations and also encompasses Event Planner Toolkit sessions. A People and Planet track will cover Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Professional and Personal Development, Leadership, Culture and Engagement, Wellbeing and Sustainability.

Redesigned online registration

IMEX has also redesigned its online registration process for its shows, with all attendee types now having their own IMEX account for both shows. Pre-scheduled appointment functionality as well as the IMEX app have also been improved, offering a faster online experience to connect buyers and exhibitors.


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