2022 continues to be the bona fide comeback year for the events industry, and in keeping with the momentum this year, the biggest industry trade show finally came back in a big way after three years away.
IMEX Frankfurt was originally supposed to take place at the end of April but was postponed due to Covid concerns. However, it went ahead with its new dates and concluded yesterday, marking IMEX Group’s second event since the pandemic began, following last year’s IMEX America in Las Vegas.
This year’s edition of IMEX Frankfurt also marked the show’s 20th anniversary, which was made even more special by the fact that it served as a reunion for much of the industry after several pandemic-prompted cancellations over the past few years.
The event hosted a mix of both returning and new exhibitors representing 2300 companies and attracted around 9,000 attendees, down from 2019’s attendance of 14,000 but still a very strong showing.
Exhibitors and attendees are both sharing very positive experiences from the show, and Messe Frankfurt, the event’s venue, had their own stand on the show floor for the first time in the show’s history, reportedly leading to two unexpected contracts on the first day of the event.
IMEX paid special attention to the design and experience of this year’s event, which included bringing some of the outdoors inside with abundant greenery and plants.
“The show was imbued with a sense of camaraderie and celebration, and it felt good to be back together in the same room — that’s the feeling our industry thrives on and is motivated by,” said IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer after the closing press conference. “We’ve heard about some huge contracts being signed and masses of business deals being done. All the indicators suggest that 2023 and 2024 are going to be very good years for our industry.
She concluded that despite the challenges that remain for the industry, “The future looks bright.”
IMEX Frankfurt 2023 is set to take place from May 22nd to 25th, and IMEX America will be returning in October.