IMEX in Frankfurt, the annual mega meetings and incentive travel exhibition event, will always be about the power of face-to-face interaction designed to fuel the meeting, event and hospitality industry.
But this year’s 17th edition of the annual show will have an increased focus on technology and the impact is it having on the business.
Robots, virtual reality, holograms and artificial intelligence will all have an increased presence when the show officially opens today (Tuesday, May 21) at Messe Frankfurt.
“As consumers, we’re now used to, and expect, highly curated content in most aspects of our lives,” says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “Netflix gives viewers access to an incredible 100 million products tailored to their preferences, for example, and this expectation extends through to the events we attend.
“Every attendee has different personal and emotional requirements, and planners are seeing a greater need to offer a more individual and personalized experience at events.”
At IMEX’s dedicated technology area on the show floor, planners can learn how rising applications such as AI chatbot technology, event apps, attendee tracking, facial recognition and lead retrieval are changing how the industry is engaging with customers using these tools. Sessions on how to incorporate VR, AR and AI into learning are among the many tech-driven education sessions throughout the show. For holograms, robots and VR, the show’s new Discovery Zone will allow attendees to experience these fast-evolving technologies as well as enjoy time on the always popular walking piano.
“Our wide range of tech exhibitors and learning opportunities allows planners to see, touch and experience the latest technology and learn how it can support their work, spark their imaginations and ultimately create content that has a genuine and deep effect on the audience,” Bauer says.
Part of the Discovery Zone also includes an Imagination Wall dedicated to showcasing innovations in sustainability.
IMEX began in part on Monday with its EduMonday lineup of education, which included She Means Business, with gender equality, female empowerment and diversity at the forefront of the discussion. Diversity and inclusion are also key education touchpoints throughout IMEX.
Anne Kjaer Riechert, who gave a keynote at the She Means Business session, told attendees that the definition of courage is doing something despite being afraid of failure. She said you don’t need to know everything, just “make sure you know the right people and experts who can help you.”
Meeting Professionals International, a strategic partner with IMEX, was present on EduMonday, bringing together its European chapter leaders to hear updates from senior leadership on initiatives focused on growth and engagement in Europe.
Beginning May 21, MPI will again present education, business opportunities and networking throughout IMEX, offering six booth education sessions each day.
“During the trade show, MPI will continue its successful stand education series with on-the-hour sessions on a variety of thought-provoking and industry-leading topics,” says Jessie States, CMM, CMP, director of the MPI Academy.
A high-energy opening night after-hours party and a silent auction featuring extravagant trips are part the MPI Foundation activities at IMEX, with proceeds supporting industry scholarships and research.
The opening-night party, called ‘cim clubbing,’ will be at the Gibson Club, in partnership with CIM (Conference & Incentive Magazine), a German publication for meetings and events.
An online and in-booth auction ends May 23 and will feature some upscale trips to exotic places. The proceeds will benefit the Foundation as well. Items to be bid on include a three-day Universal Orlando Resort package to a weekend at the InterContinental Shanghai Pudong to two nights at the W hotel in Amsterdam.
More information about the bidding can be found here, or stopping by the MPI stand (G480).
The IMEX-MPI-MCI-Future Leaders Forum will take place this week, too, bringing together up-and-coming students and young professionals to gain insight into the meeting industry.
