Insider Experience – IMEX Frankfurt

Basic details of the event: 
Title: IMEX Frankfurt 
Date: May 31 – June 2, 2022 
City, Country: Frankfurt, Germany 
Host Venue: Congress Center Messe Frankfurt

Website: The heartbeat of the global business events community | IMEX Frankfurt (imex-frankfurt.com)

Specific Planning Questions:

Organizing Team: We had over 44 Canadian partners participating at our booth organized by the amazing Destination Canada - Business Events Canada team.

Number of Attendees:

• 9,303 total participants (including exhibitors)
• 2,268 hosted buyers from 76 countries
• 2,373 exhibitors representing 150 countries
• 42,000 appointments

Goals of IMEX 2022:

IMEX in Frankfurt is the largest trade show in Europe for the meetings and events industry. They bring together global event planners and buyers with significant buying power.

Specific Event Questions:

Was it your first time attending IMEX? How did it feel?

It was my first time attending IMEX Frankfurt and it was a fantastic experience! I made lasting connections and learned so much from colleagues and buyers alike.

It was also the first time in three years that delegates were welcomed back in-person to IMEX Frankfurt. You could really tell that everyone had missed this event and were eager to show how the events industry has come roaring back to life.

Who participated in IMEX F.? Where were the attendees from?

There were 2,268 hosted buyers from 76 countries:

• US 15%
• Germany 14%
• UK 6.5%
• Brazil 5%
• Mexico 4%
• Netherlands 4%
• Spain 4%
• France 3.5%
• Italy 3.5%
• Switzerland 3%

Their nature of business was:

• Agency 66%
• Independent planner 12%
• Corporate 11.5%
• Association 10.5%

What was the main objective of this tradeshow?

IMEX Frankfurt is the largest trade show in Europe for the meetings and events industry. Their primary objective is to connect participants in meaningful ways. In addition to the networking events and one-on-one appointments; a series of educational sessions and presentations took place to deliver a better understanding of the post-pandemic landscape for our industry.

What was your favorite moment? Why?

My favorite moments at IMEX Frankfurt 2022 were spending time building relationships and new connections at our ‘Destination Canada’ booth. The team did a great job ensuring that we had Canada-focused activations that wowed our guests.

What were the safety measures put in place for the event?

As of April 2, 2022, all restrictions on live events in Germany were lifted so there weren’t many masks to be seen. Messe Frankfurt’s health and safety measures remained in place including updated ventilation systems, enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures. There were also plenty of hand sanitizer stations throughout the tradeshow.

What was your biggest fear prior to attending the event?

I didn’t have any reservations about attending IMEX Frankfurt. I was excited for the international travel and looked forward to getting together with others in our industry!

This was a great opportunity to promote our destination and country to hosted buyers from over 76 countries and allowed us all to share our knowledge, experiences and learnings from the past few years.  

What are your expectations for future events in 2022?  

One glance around the tradeshow floor at IMEX Frankfurt 2022 could tell you that live events are back in a big way and that delegates are eager to meet in-person.

Last Words

There is no replacement for the business that occurred at the face-to-face appointments and the relationships that were built over networking at the booths and evening events. We were all very excited to show the world that Canada is not only open for business, but is leading the charge on innovative business events and delivering unforgettable, legendary experiences.

 Article edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services