“As we head towards the final countdown for IMEX in Frankfurt, there’s a quietly confident attitude radiating throughout the meetings and events sector. Although the first quarter of this year has been marked by some extraordinary and unsettling events around the globe, IMEX 2017 will be a reflection of an international market that’s extremely resilient, and well placed for solid, long-term growth,” says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, ahead of the major exhibition taking place on 16 to 18 May.
Yet again setting a record for the largest show to date; notable among the growing areas of this year’s market-leading trade show is a 10 per cent increase in space taken by exhibitors in Africa and Asia and a 9.5 per cent increase from the USA and Canada. On the show floor, IMEX’s dedicated technology area will be the largest to date with growth of 15 per cent – with many new exhibitors reflecting the show’s increasing focus on event technology companies.
At the heart of the technology section will be the TECHknowledge Area, powered by The Meeting Pool, offering the chance to touch, test and try the latest gadgets such as wearables and Virtual Reality.
New exhibitors for 2017 include Moldova Tourism, Meet Puerto Rico, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kyoto Convention Bureau, Jeju Province and Choose Chicago. Exhibitors with expanded stands include Tourism New Zealand, Shanghai, Korea, London & Partners, Spain, Rocco Forte Hotels, Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay and NYC.
“This increased investment in IMEX in Frankfurt not only reflects the underlying fundamentals of our industry, which are both strong and sound, but also adds up to a wider range of exhibitors for buyers to meet,” explains Bauer. “With the largest global array of exhibitors from every sector, this year’s show is packed with opportunities for planners to do business and find new suppliers – fulfilling our mission to help meeting professionals make powerful connections with the right people.”
Alongside this is a packed programme of free education with over 200 sessions, including a full day of preshow education – EduMonday, 15 May. Combined with over 200 networking opportunities including many with senior level meeting professionals, and social events including Site Nite Europe, CIM-Clubbing and the IMEX Gala Dinner, this adds up to three inspiring and productive days of business.
Concludes Bauer: “Perhaps more than any other year since 2008, this is the time to come to IMEX and ‘see for yourself’. See how exhibitors are responding to new market forces. See how new entrants are transforming the way meetings and events are being planned and, most of all, see and hear what’s really happening behind the headlines.”
IMEX in Frankfurt takes place at Messe Frankfurt from 16 – 18 May 2017.
Registration is free of charge and open online – https://portal.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php?login=1
