Despite all crises

After the 'She Means Business' in Frankfurt was relocated to the Internet in 2020 and 2021 owing to the Covid pandemic, organizer Carina Bauer is excited about the real-life comeback and the conference supporters originating from diverse domains and countries: these include the Vienna Convention Bureau, Schleswig-Holstein Convention Bureau, Oman Convention Bureau, NürnbergConvention, m:con mannheim:congress, and the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg. 'What started off as a small, female-focused event for the business events industry has now grown to become a broader movement for all people, regardless of gender identity, to discuss how we as an industry can be more inclusive. Everyone’s invited to shape this conversation," said Bauer. She looks forward to gilt-edged speakers and the ensuing discussions fueling even more expert interaction. An interaction she hopes will continue also after the three-day event and become a permanent fixture. Bauer: "In keeping with this spirit, we also support the new non-profit association She Means Community with an education and mentoring program and networking options in this thematic field."

Positive signals for IMEX 2022

After a two-year intermission, this year’s IMEX in Frankfurt will again be a face-to-face event, just in time for the show’s 20th birthday. The IMEX Group extended its partnership with Messe Frankfurt until 2025. Eight weeks prior to the expo launch, the IMEX Group publicized early figures on the IMEX Frankfurt indicating that recovery of the global events industry is picking up the pace. Visitors and exhibitors alike are showing strong interest in IMEX 2022 scheduled from May 31 thru June 2, 2022 in Halls 8 and 9 of Messe Frankfurt. More than 2,000 potential buyers from over 70 countries had already registered in March, among these event planners in agencies, corporations and associations as well as free-lancers. According to IMEX, there are hundreds more each week. “Our team is in permanent contact with our German and global partners inviting their customers to the show as Hosted Buyers,” said Carina Bauer. She’s delighted that delegates will again return to Frankfurt in person. “On top of that, we’re excited that buyers from more distant countries including Australia, South Africa and the US have registered for the show.”

Exhibitors from all over the world have also announced their participation; they hail from Canada and the USA with Detroit and Washington over Asia with the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Hongkong all the way to European key markets including Germany, France, Portugal, and Spain. Major hotel chains including Radisson, Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, and InterContinental will also feature among the international exhibitors. “We’re seeing considerable interest being displayed by buyers and exhibitors who are all motivated and full of anticipation to once again experience face-to-face contact with other industry players,” said Bauer. The fact that the number of registrations was already this high two months ahead of the IMEX confirmed to her this industry’s fast recovery rate, and four weeks prior to the show, she was confident that IMEX in Frankfurt in terms of size and scope will be on par with the 10th IMEX America 2021. More than 3,300 visitors, most of these hosted buyers and 2,200 exhibitors, had traveled to Las Vegas this past November.

Both visitors and exhibitors in addition to business meetings also have the opportunity to participate at the free curated three-day education program with more than 150 sessions. The lectures, discussions and campfires cover such topics as community engagement and brand development, sustainable company management and regenerative event management as well as well-being and mental health. At her 'mental health' campfire, Karin Ruppert, organization consultant and chairperson of 'She Means Community', will ask “How are you doing?”. In an open exchange on crises and resilience, participants will learn which opportunities and possibilities of personal development lie in a crisis.

Kerstin Wünsch