More than 50,000 meetings between buyers and exhibitors will take place at IMEX Frankfurt 2024 this week, as the global MICE industry exhibition opened its doors this morning (14 May).
Exhibitors from Europe form the largest area of this year’s show, closely followed by Asia whose share of the show floor is now larger than pre-pandemic levels.
Those Asian exhibitors that have increased their participation at IMEX Frankfurt include Japan, which has its largest-ever presence this year.
This year’s IMEX edition also features the largest representation yet from Africa.
Rwanda’s convention bureau is celebrating its 10th anniversary at IMEX Frankfurt 2024. The country’s business events sector generated more than $US 91m in revenue last year, up from $US 64m the previous year.
North America’s presence has also increased this year. The Canadian booth is bigger than last year, while the number of US destinations has more than doubled from 10 in 2023 to over 20 taking space this week in the new Brand USA pavilion.
Major hotel groups showcasing their portfolios include Sonder and Langham, which are both new to IMEX Frankfurt. They’re joined by Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Marriott, Radisson and IHG, which is doubling its presence in Germany to more than 200 hotels in almost 100 cities.
“The business momentum we’ve seen going into the show has been remarkable and is a reflection of the resilience of our global events industry,” said Carina Bauer, CEO IMEX Group. “From Africa to Asia, the Americas to Europe, our community continues to thrive and grow. At the same time, we must be ready to play our part in a world that is changing rapidly and ensure that business events remain at the heart of creating transformational outcomes and positive impact. As well as the immediate business opportunities that are at the heart of IMEX, we’ll also be focusing hard this week on creating IMPACT for all.”
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