IMEX Gallery
IMEX extends footprint in Frankfurt as industry highlights its sense of place
he 2026 edition of IMEX
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Frankfurt produced its biggest show floor to date.
The show, hosted at Messe Frankfurt 19-21 May, welcomed 13,000 participants, including 4,500 + buyers, the majority of whom were hosted.
Organisers said close to 3,000 exhibiting companies, from destinations and venues to tech providers and event agencies were present this year.
They reported a record-breaking 73,000 pre-scheduled meetings, a good indicator of business momentum.
Dr Supawan Teerarat, president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said her team had secured a number of major events at the show, including the International Conference on Family Planning, which will bring 5,000 delegates to Pattaya in 2027. Other confirmed wins include a 1,000-person medical congress in 2029, a 1,000-person corporate meeting for an internet company in 2028, and a 6,000-person conference in the digital sector.
The show also spotlighted the evolving role of business events in driving wider economic and legacy impact. Discussions at the redeveloped Place Leaders Forum focused on the destination economy and the role of events as a strategic tool in placemaking and long-term economic growth, not just tourism.
CEO, Carina Bauer, concluded:“ Beyond the numbers, the human element and energy of this community remain at the heart of IMEX. Although AI was a hot topic, the counterpoint is that face-to-face meetings are having a renaissance. More than ever their value lies in trusted, real-life conversations with real people who spark off each other, leading to multiple positive outcomes – not least business, friendship, employment and industry innovation.” EW www. exhibitionworld. co. uk Issue 3 2026 49