Current and relevant topics at a new conference on IMEX in Frankfurt 2018

Friday, March 16, 2018

Gender equality and the empowerment of women’s rights and professional opportunities are current hot topics in the global news agenda. In a professional context, this affects all industries and thus also the international event industry. At a new conference during EduMonday in the run-up to IMEX in Frankfurt, groundbreaking women will share their experiences, give valuable advice and encourage action.

Inspiring women from around the world share their knowledge and perspective on this hot topic at the first She Means Business , which will be held on the eve of the show on Monday, May 14th , as part of EduMonday at IMEX in Frankfurt. The new half-day conference, which was developed in collaboration with tw tagungswirtschaft , celebrates the role of women in the global events industry. Meeting and event strategists – both women and men – are invited to network, be inspired by mentors and experts from around the world, and increase their knowledge through an extensive and diverse program.

Pilot and Astronauts: Pioneers at the She Means Business

The speakers are inspiring women from various sectors and areas. What unites all is that they have overcome challenges and seemingly predetermined boundaries.

The day starts with “Women in Space”, where Major Nicola Baumann, one of the three German Eurofighter pilots and Laura Winterling, former astronaut trainer and CEO of Space Time Concepts GmbH, will give the keynote speech (supported by the Cologne Convention Bureau). They will speak openly about their successes and failures, highlighting why it is important to be courageous and always challenge themselves and how the pursuit of the best self is a perpetual journey.

Female technology, finance and UN leaders share their personal views on issues such as empowering women in the workplace, eliminating the gender pay gap and expanding women’s leadership positions. The UN Women’s Empowerment Principles are a set of guidelines for companies on how to empower women in the workplace, in the labor market and in society as a whole. Chairperson of the UN Women National Committee Germany, Karin Nordmeyer, highlights these guidelines in her speech, which is part of the Women in Business theme. She explains, “These principles can be transported to any industry”.

Gender equality and thus the reduction of the gender pay gap is Mara Harvey, Head Global UHNW Germany, Austria, Italy at UBS. She said that gender equality and equal treatment have always been a priority, but she thinks they have now passed a turning point. The organizations now realize that the efforts so far have not been sufficient and they have to accelerate that.

Fostering women leaders and tackling gender bias are other topics addressed by speakers such as Suzanna Labonde, Director of Global Employer Branding at SAP, and the Director of the European Society of Cardiology, Isabel Bardinet.

Gender parity and empowerment – in the event sector and beyond

The Global Summit of Women, which aims to promote the rise of women in the global economy, will be held in Sydney this year. As part of the “Women in Events” theme, Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney, will share her personal insights and solutions as the host of this prestigious business forum and best-practice examples of organizations that have a culture to support women have developed in professional life.

Ensuring gender parity at events is one of the core values ​​of re: publica, Europe’s largest digital conference. Director Jeannine Koch will explain how the focus on equality has strengthened and shaped this event.

Award-winning reporter, producer and presenter Talia Sanhewe moderates the conference. With her previous experience working with the World Economic Forum, CNBC and the BBC World Service, she is a passionate supporter of change. She explains that ‘The She Means Business’ comes just at the right time. Never before have women’s strength, potential and goals been more important than today. She is delighted to be having these discussions with some of the world’s leading female thinkers and sharing their inspirational messages and unique stories with the audience and is proud to be able to contribute to this special event to support this important development in the global events industry.

The She Means Business will be rounded off with the panel discussion “Women in the Meeting Industry – Equal to the Men?” Hosted by Sheriff Karamat, CEO of PCMA. It is about how a commitment to equality and diversity can lead to positive changes and thus new opportunities. Finally, in a round-table discussion, attendees can discuss topics of the conference in detail and share their view of things and their experiences.

Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, comments: “Our new She Means Business conference has come at a crucial moment in society – we’ve reached a tipping point where these challenges are evident. Now it’s about taking the next steps. The She Means Business will be a platform for forward-looking women and men to come together, exchange views and take those crucial next steps. ”

“The IMEX Group and we are launching the She Means Business international conference because we believe that the sharing of stories and thoughts is the most powerful lever for women to talk to each other and to men in order to work together for diversity and equal treatment of the sexes, “explains Kerstin Wünsch editor-in-chief tw tagungswirtschaft.

The She Means Business is part of EduMonday , which will take place on Monday, May 14, the day before the IMEX in Frankfurt. This training and further education day celebrated its premiere last year and will be launched in 2018 with an extended program on relevant and current topics in the global meeting and event industry. More information is available here .

Further information about the She Means Business and the registration for the IMEX in Frankfurt are available here .

The She Means Business was created in partnership with tw tagungswirtschaft and is sponsored by H-Hotels AG, CCH – Congress Center Hamburg, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, Cologne Convention Bureau, London & Partners, Horizon, m + a report and BizTravel from MPI, PCMA, IAEE, AWE, WINiT, SITE, ECM, EVVC, VDVO and Fast Forward 15.

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