On the eve of IMEX in Frankfurt

The global conference clans are gathering in Germany, as IMEX week kicks off 13 May in Frankfurt, with events including Association Focus at the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel, headlined by record-breaking disabled adventurer and expedition leader, Darren Edwards. Association Focus is sponsored by Amsterdam Convention Bureau, and is exclusively for IMEX’s extensive contingent of association executives. Exclusively Corporate, sponsored by Dubai Business Events, is another satellite event aimed at the specific corporate cohort and takes place at the Melia Frankfurt City Hotels. Just for corporate executives, the event covers everything from beating burnout to organisational transformation with speakers from Google to SAP. The eve-of-show signature Association Social networking event at Marriott Frankfurt is joined by SITE Nite Europe at Depot 1899, and the ELX Networking Evening at the Oben Restaurant and Skybar ahead of the ELX Forum at Messe Frankfurt’s Festhalle, 14 May, when both Hall 8 and Hall 9 open their doors to IMEX attendees. Hall 8 will host the global exhibitor line-up, with Hall 9 home to IMEX education. Learning spaces include the IMEX Inspiration Hub and People & Planet Village, joined by the Google Xi CoLaboratory, the Maritz More than Experience Theatre, the Impact Zone, the Valley powered by MPI and ICCA, and Encore and Event Design Collective spaces. Beyond Messe Frankfurt, the Policy Forum returns to the Marriott Frankfurt to redefine the impact of business events on destinations. Organised in collaboration with AIPC, CityDNA, Destinations International, GCB German Convention Bureau, ICCA and the Meetings Mean Business Coalition under the auspices of EIC and JMIC, the Forum brings together policymakers, event planners, destinations and industry associations. If you’re attending IMEX for the first time, organisers are recommending heading to the Food Market in Hall 9 at 9am on opening day, 14 May – for coffee, and also for our first-timers’ meet up. And don’t forget to come and say ‘Hello’ to the CMW team on stand B457!