The IMEX Group has announced the programme for its next Exclusively Corporate @IMEX event, which is fast becoming a flagship networking and education event for both European and global corporate meeting planners.
One of the top three female entrepreneurs in the UK, Michelle Mone OBE, who is best known as co-owner of Ultimo Brands International, will deliver the event’s keynote address. Mone, whose participation is sponsored by London & Partners, London’s official Convention Bureau, will kick start the afternoon’s educational programme by sharing her business experience and recounting how the strategic use of events helped to build the Ultimo brand.
Michelle Mone, OBE, Ultimo Brand International
Exclusively Corporate @IMEX is designed to meet the specific professional development needs of corporate meeting planners. Recognising that corporate planners often feel isolated and work under huge time pressures, the event programme allows plenty of free time for them to keep in touch with the office and to build-up their own peer to peer networks.
The programme starts with an informal networking supper on Sunday May 18, which is hosted by Fairmont, Raffles, Swissotel. After a networking breakfast the following morning (sponsored by the Dubai Convention & Events Bureau) participants have the morning free to do their own work or take part in a city tour of Frankfurt.
The full programme gets underway in the afternoon with a networking lunch followed by Mone’s keynote address. The group of 70 or more planners then has a choice of sessions from one of three tracks: Risk Management and Compliance; Innovation and Creativity and a third track for senior corporate executives who have more than 10 years’ experience.
Among the speakers will be Luann Edwards of FM Global who will present “Interactive Media and Engagement: A Conference Case Study”. She will be followed by Charlie Heavey, Environment Manager of Innocent Drinks, who will share insights into “Better Events on Tighter Budgets”. Mark Handforth of Compliant Venues will also present a session on “Regulatory Compliance – a Meetings and Events Game Changer?”
Says IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer: “We’re really excited about this year’s programme and we’re especially pleased to be welcoming Michelle Mone whose entrepreneurial spirit and pragmatic attitude will resonate strongly with this audience. In an age when regulation and compliance protocols seem to limit all scope for creativity, our programme illustrates the possibilities rather than the constraints and gives practical examples as inspiration. This is a hard-working but high value day for a special group of planners whose networking and education requirements are very specific. As a result this event is fast becoming one of our most prominent and valuable IMEX Vision Initiatives.”
Barbara Jamison, Head of Business Development Europe at London & Partners, adds: “It’s a real pleasure to support Exclusively Corporate @IMEX. This tailored programme of activity, focused on inspiring innovation and creativity, aligns perfectly with the key messages we are delivering about London. The capital is proud to have the biggest digital cluster, Tech City, in Europe. Combined with our academic excellence across sectors including life sciences, finance and the creative industries, London has on its doorstep the knowledge, expertise and connections needed to ensure events in the capital are at the cutting edge. This, alongside London’s stunning new event spaces, hotels and restaurants, from The Shard in central London to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the east, makes our ever-evolving capital the perfect event destination. London & Partners looks forward to showcasing the very best of London, alongside over 20 of our partners on stand F400 at IMEX in Frankfurt.”
Following Exclusively Corporate @IMEX, which is held at the Villa Kennedy, the group of planners will attend the IMEX in Frankfurt trade show to meet exhibitors on Tuesday May 20, with long-haul participants staying on at the show for a further three days.
Findings and discussion points from its sister event in North America – the Executive Meeting Forum – which is held annually at IMEX America, are now available in a free online report.
Places are still available at Exclusively Corporate @IMEX in Frankfurt. Interested corporate meetings executives should email donna.fung@imexexhibitions.com.
