The transformative power of experience
A packed-out, often standing room only, education program saw attendees flocking to imaginative and immersive event spaces including the Inspiration Hub’s Ocean, Forest and Canyon rooms, The Valley powered by MPI and ICCA, and the People and Planet Theater.
New-this-year experiences included The College of Extraordinary Experiences’ playful foam-block-filled booth, Destination Toronto’s mesmerising mirror box, Buenos Aires inflatable (and always in demand) cocktail bar and Messe Frankfurt’s time-traveling archive tour.
Clean the World brought their amenity recycling to IMEX Frankfurt for the first time, and Encore unveiled another impressive and innovative experience as they invited us all to let transformation take flight. And after successful first outings in Frankfurt last year, the Impact Zone, Rising Talent program, Tough Talks and Wonder Walks were all back in force for 2025.
And exhibitors also raised the experience design bar several notches with show-stopping spaces ranging from Abu Dhabi’s sleek and sumptuous architectural curves to New Zealand’s enchanting (have-I-just-stepped-through-a-Hobbit-Hole-into-the-Chelsea-Flower-Show?) plant-filled slice of Hobbiton.
Learning on logistics, experience design and extreme leadership, plus fresh research, forecasts and trends were delivered in spades by an extraordinary speaker line-up. A line-up that included both inspirational industry innovators—Encore’s Amanda Armstrong, isla’s Anna Abdelnoor, VOK DAM’s Colja Dams—and perspective-changing pioneers—Future Normal’s Henry Coutinho-Mason, Handifly’s Sabrina Schoenmaker and former combat helicopter pilot, Sarah Furness.
“I’ve learned so many things from the education sessions, and the ones on leadership and the neuroscience behind transformative meetings and events were invaluable. I could also earn CMP credits from them. I’m only six hours away from being able to complete my qualification, so IMEX will get me over that final hump. One of the sessions talked about event overwhelm and how to integrate quiet spaces and music. IMEX does that really well.”
Hosted buyer Lauren Duncan, Meeting Planner, CNO Financial Group, US
“There’s nothing quite like reconnecting with industry peers, meeting new faces and sharing ideas that inspire. These encounters are what define our work: meaningful exchange, shared experiences and authentic connections. At Vogelsänger Studios, we truly value IMEX as a platform that brings the global events community together. It’s where we source new contacts, fresh perspectives and valuable conversations, all of which help us grow, collaborate and create. IMEX represents what our industry is all about: people, passion and the power of experience. “
Hosted buyer Christian Tjo, Senior Executive/Head of Events, Vogelsӓnger Studios, Germany on LinkedIn
Monday May 19 drew in-house event planners and corporate meeting directors to Exclusively Corporate, sponsored by Destination DC, to explore inventive event approaches—and edible icebreakers. Also on Monday, association executives headed to Association Focus to consider the new expectation economy, how to thrive in the AI era, and how to adapt their event approaches to a new, and ever-changing, global business landscape.
“Association Focus is a great opportunity to hear how other associations are tackling similar challenges to us. Even though we come from different sectors—public transportation, healthcare and technology, there are often approaches or methodologies we can adapt to our own work. It’s really about exchanging ideas, being inspired, and finding practical solutions we can implement.”
Hosted buyer Laetitia Delzenne, Senior Advisor Event Strategy, UITP International Association for Public Transport, Norway
“It’s my first time at Exclusively Corporate. I’m US-based and it’s so valuable to meet with planners around the world, particularly Europe, and understand their perspective on things. I run a team of 11 people globally, so that international perspective is crucial.”
Hosted buyer Adele Farina, Senior Director Global Events and Strategic Planning, ION, US
Wellness is now an integral part of IMEX, evidenced by hundreds of neon-pink-clad IMEXrunners streaming along the riverbank early Wednesday morning, and meditating between meetings is now standard in many show schedules, with a steady flow in and out of the Well-being Lounge (brought to you by Inner Sense and supported by Weichlein and Costa Rica DMC). The Well-being Challenge, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, powered by Heka Health and in partnership with the PCMA Foundation and Prevue Meetings & Incentives, is now also an integral part of IMEX, this year joined in the IMEX well-being line up by new Go! Running walking tours.
Providing quiet spaces around the show floor to catch up on work or for a few moments of calm is also now an IMEX show standard, with the ever-popular Nook Pods joined by soundproof meeting pods and workspace from Minus45dB.
“Meeting face-to-face achieves things that can’t be achieved via video calls and emails. Meetings business is people business—the personal touch is what makes the difference. To tell our story face to face is even better—if the customer has a second question, you can extend the story in a way that is relevant to them. You cannot do this via social media—we prefer the personal touch.”
Exhibitor Claudia Kliem, Senior Manager Group Sales – Worldwide Sales, BWH Hotels, Germany
