“We really value being able to offer inspiration, bringing people together to share ideas, discover new tools and learn new skills. We’re set to deliver this in abundance with our packed programme of education sessions at IMEX this year. Business is set to dominate – as always – but education is a vital force that gives each year’s show a unique personality and edge,” explains Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group.
With over 200 education sessions taking place throughout the show, including a new dedicated day in the form of EduMonday, IMEX in Frankfurt taking place 16 – 18 May offers its biggest ever education programme. In terms of added value, over 70 per cent of all professional development education at IMEX is certified.
Introducing a brand new education experience – EduMonday
Planners can take part in high quality education the day before IMEX in Frankfurt begins with EduMonday, a brand new education experience taking place on Monday 15 May. With registration free of charge and open to all, this interactive day will provide insights into event design, future trends and hot new technologies, using informal, contemporary learning styles.
IMEX’s EduMonday will feature experts from the new Zeus Eventtech Academy, the German Convention Bureau (GCB), Meetology® Masterclasses and Play with a Purpose. IMEX is also offering the Event Design Certificate Programme Level 1 of Mastery as part of a three-year agreement with the Event Design Collective. This allows 30 English and 30 German-speaking event professionals to take their career to the next level by taking the certification free of charge on the day.
Exploring Purposeful Meetings with first ever keynote
The show’s first ever English language education keynote explores this year’s IMEX Talking Point, Purposeful Meetings. Janet Sperstad from Madison Area Technical College shares the preliminary results of a major piece of industry research into Purposeful meetings research: creating deeper meaning.
Janet Sperstad explains: “Purposeful meetings define planning that produces very specific outcomes and attendee behaviours, in addition to the normal meeting strategy and learning objectives. Delivering more purposeful meetings will help planners create experiences that drive deeper meaning and value for attendees and, of course, clients.” An interview with Janet Sperstad about her career to date and her profound interest in ‘Purposeful Meetings’ can be found here.
Carina adds: “This is the first substantial piece of industry research we’ve undertaken since our 10th Anniversary in 2012, and signifies our confidence in the Purposeful Meetings concept – a concept that’s making waves in the industry and one that we want to explore further with planners at IMEX. The full white paper, with the support of PSAV, will be available at IMEX America in October”.
Free show floor education
A wider programme of free education runs across the three days of the show. Participants can choose from 10 tracks including technology, business skills, diversity and marketing in order to create their own bespoke schedule. MPI is delivering a session on Exploring unique learning formats, IAEE explores The next 40 years of trade shows and Play With A Purpose addresses how to engage younger planners in Interaction for millennials. There are over 200 seminars, including workshops, campfires and bite-sized show-floor education- all designed to help planners at all levels keep a finger on the pulse of the industry.
This includes a session on the results of an exclusive survey into the roles and workplace experiences of women in the event industry run by trade magazines tw tagungswirtschaft and m+a report together with IMEX. Kerstin Wuensch from tw and other industry leaders will explore female leadership, career building and equality in women in the event industry – equal status or lagging behind?
IMEX in Frankfurt takes place at Messe Frankfurt from 16 – 18 May 2017. EduMonday (separate registration required) is on 15 May.
Registration is free of charge and open online: https://portal.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php?login=1
EduMonday registration: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/education/edumonday/
