IMEX Frankfurt Sets the Stage for Impactful Change in Events Sector with Latest Learning Program

Published on April 8, 2024

Creating positive change in a complex world presents an opportunity to leave a lasting mark. Tahira Endean, the Head of Programming at IMEX, emphasizes the significance of incorporating meaningful impact into both the professional and personal realms of event organizers. This concept serves as the central theme of the educational offerings at the IMEX Frankfurt event, scheduled for May 14 – 16, showcasing its importance across the board.

The event’s lineup features over 150 sessions aimed at fostering both professional and personal growth, mirroring current lifestyle and work trends. Participants have the flexibility to tailor their experience by choosing from seven distinct tracks, including a newly introduced category focused on Impact. This approach ensures that participants gain valuable insights and practical advice to implement in their business engagements immediately.

From brand storytelling to customer storyfeeling – Pigalle Tavakkoli, founder of the School of Experience Design, explains why her session is vital in the current market: “Experience Design allows us to go beyond simply designing the form and function of a product, event or service, to also design attendees’ emotions, memories and behaviors. It moves us from designing by intuition, to designing with intention how attendees feel and think, ultimately transforming their behavior forever.”

Key sessions across the seven educational tracks include:

• Business Practices: A session titled “Summiting Kilimanjaro: Life lessons from the peak” brings together event professionals to discuss how their ascent of Africa’s highest mountain profoundly influenced their lives and careers.
• Financial Management: In light of the rising costs identified in Global DMC Partners’ recent Pulse Survey, a session on budget management will address strategies for optimizing budgets amid fluctuating attendance, high expenses, and reduced planning times.
• Event Marketing: This track features discussions on leveraging AI for trend analysis and event strategy development from a marketing perspective, focusing on technology integration, content creation, partnership building, sustainability, and audience engagement.
• Experience Design: A focus on how cities and destinations can act as agents of social change in the meetings sector, supporting organizers in creating lasting legacies.
• Impact: Robert Dunsmore introduces “Wonder Walks,” a novel concept for 2024 themed around biophilia, highlighting nature-inspired designs and how they can enhance event planning.
• LEGO SERIOUS PLAY®: A session detailing how this innovative approach can address complex challenges in sustainable event planning, appealing to LEGO enthusiasts and novices alike.
• Technology & Innovation: Anthony Vade will delve into the transformative impact of AI on event planning and management, while another panel discusses cutting-edge technological solutions for future events.
• Trends & Research: Look out for the latest in industry research, including reports from the Incentive Research Foundation, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, AMEX GBT, ExpoPlatform, and MPI.
• Well-being: “Tough Talks” introduces a new format focusing on challenging topics such as grief, male suicide, anxiety, and the effects of peri and menopause, providing a safe space for candid discussions.

This comprehensive program at IMEX Frankfurt is designed to equip attendees with the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in their professional and personal lives, underscored by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and well-being.

Ciara Feely, author and sales enablement strategist, will deliver a Tough Talk on the menopause. She explains: “My session will be an organic conversation, very much led by the people in the room. I’ll start by sharing my own experience and then open the floor to others. The aim is for people to leave feeling they’ve been heard, they’ve had some of their issues resolved and – importantly – that they’ve found their tribe!”