Conference & Meetings World (CMW) asks Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, what we can expect from the Frankfurt show this year.
Tell us about the programme for IMEX Frankfurt 2026 and the thinking behind the Design Matters Talking Point?
Our new Talking Point, Design Matters, examines the power of design as a core business discipline – one the events sector can use to inspire human connection and joy, build brand differentiation and advance sustainability and impact. The Talking Point is woven into year-round activity, including in our new report – Why design matters – and will be brought to life at IMEX Frankfurt through activations (keep a look out for a digital graffiti activity among others), the education programme and our own design approach to the show. This focus is particularly timely as the Frankfurt region has been named World Design Capital 2026.
What is new for 2026 and what lessons were drawn and changes implemented from feedback from the 2025 show?
We know from our post show survey that first time attendees place a high level of importance on learning about the industry through formal education sessions and networking, so we’ve continued our first-timer programme with meet ups on the show’s opening day.
Bo Krüger, a Danish meeting designer, will share practical tips for navigating the show and getting the most out of the experience. It’s also a great chance for newbies to meet each other so they have some familiar faces to hand right from the outset.
We’ve rolled out a series of improvements to our app, making wayfinding and schedule planning easier and more intuitive. Each attendee type now gets a tailored view, spotlighting the features that matter most to them – for example, badge scanning for exhibitors and buyers. Buyers can also bookmark the exhibitors they want to meet directly on the app’s floorplan. Combined with the blue‑dot navigation, this makes it much easier to plan time on the show floor and get around on site.
The app has also been brought to life with refreshed daily graphics, spotlighting key highlights not to miss. These highlights are driven by the most common questions our team usually receives at the Information Counter, so attendees can quickly see what’s top of the agenda each day.
What are some of the speaker highlights and key topics for discussion?
Our Talking Point, Design Matters, is elevated at the show through our 200+ session education programme. Four of the show’s 11 education tracks are design-related: Design matters; Regenerative design; Designing for human needs and Experiential event design.
We’re welcoming speakers from the world of design – the Design Council, for instance – and from across other business sectors. To name a few: the agency behind Corona beer’s experiential activations at the Winter Olympics; Norway’s largest bank, DNB, which launched the ‘girlsinvest’ event series; and a biodiversity expert who’ll take centre stage at the German Impact Zone asking: “Can AI save nature?”
How has the exhibitor kaleidoscope changed for 2026. Any new destinations and trends emerging with venues and supplier participation?
We have a global range of exhibitors confirmed from over 100 countries and are seeing growth in several geographical markets. Africa will have one of its largest-ever representations at the show, with new exhibitors Mozambique and Angola; Egypt doubling its footprint; and Tunisia and Uganda both returning.
Japan’s also set for one of its largest-ever participations, with Kyoto doubling the size of its booth. Malaysia is expanding its presence, and both China and Hong Kong are returning to the show floor.
Has the war in Iran affected planning and logistics for any of the exhibitor community? Have you been able to help/advise on that?
Exhibitors from the Middle East remain very committed to attending the show, with confirmed participation from destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Ras Al-Khaimah and Ajman.
As with any evolving situation, the impact on logistics varies by exhibitor so it’s difficult to generalise. While travel arrangements can be more complex, flights are operating and exhibitors are actively planning to be onsite. Those transiting via the Middle East are exploring alternative travel routes where necessary, and we’re staying in close contact to support and advise as needed.
What other show features can you flag and what are the key takeaways you envisage for your visitors?
Attendees should keep a lookout for a revamped Hall 9, home to the IMEX hosted buyer lounge, education theatres, German Impact Academy and various experiential activations. Our team have given it a complete remodel for 2026, going back to foundational design principles and combining them with UX best practice to elevate the space.
As always, there’s an exciting ‘fringe’ program of events taking place outside the show and across the city. The IMEXrun, SITE NITE and Gala Dinner are all returning, and Messe Frankfurt’s tour of immersive show Frankfurt: City of WOW! are among the exhibitor events on offer.
IMEX Frankfurt takes place 19-21 May
https://frankfurt.imexevents.com/
