IMEX Frankfurt learning program shows the events sector how to make a more positive impact

“Impact is the opportunity to make a difference in what’s often a complicated world. The ripple effect of impact can be far-reaching, with results seen immediately or the seeds sown for the future.” Tahira Endean, IMEX’s Head of Programming outlines why event professionals should embed impact into their professional and personal lives. It’s IMEX’s Talking Point and a topic that resonates throughout the education program at IMEX Frankfurt, May 14 – 16.

The program of professional and personal development – now live – is a comprehensive range of more than 150 learning sessions reflecting the way people now live and work. Attendees can ‘pick and mix’ across seven tracks to suit their skill requirements including a new track, Impact. Tangible, practical takeaways are front and center to encourage attendees to immediately apply what they’ve learned in their business meetings the same day.

Highlights from the seven learning tracks:

Business Practices – Summiting Kilimanjaro: Life lessons from the peak – a group of event professionals from around the world reunite to share how the challenge of climbing the highest peak in Africa made a life-changing impact on both their personal and professional lives.

Managing tight budgets today – According to Global DMC Partners’ latest Pulse Survey, higher costs are the number one challenge for planners. A panel of event professionals will explain the art of budget optimization when attendance is unpredictable, costs remain high, and lead times are shrinking.

Event Marketing – sessions on this topic cover the use of AI to analyze and identify trends as well as exploring event strategies through the eyes of marketing leaders. The aim is to understand how they’re merging technology and content creation, building partnerships, prioritizing sustainability and engaging audiences while crafting creative experiences.

Experience Design – Are cities and destinations catalysts for social impact in the meetings industry? – this will highlight how European destinations support meeting planners in creating legacy and look at the role played by cities and destinations in driving social change.

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.”

Impact – Wonder Walks – a new format for 2024 – is where creative director Robert Dunsmore will shed fresh light on the show with a guided tour themed around biophilia – the positive impacts of spending time in and aligning with nature. He’ll seek out nature-inspired activations and booth designs that planners can weave into their own events.

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY® to transform sustainable event planning, powered by memox – This creative practice now used by companies around the world, offers a fresh and exciting route into understanding and tackling complex business problems. This session will explain how, whether you’re an AFOL (adult fan of lego), or not.

Technology & Innovation – AI-Revolution: Transforming the Meetings Industry – Anthony Vade, Event Experience Strategy Director at Encore, will guide attendees through a series of real-world use cases demonstrating AI’s role in enhancing event planning, execution, and attendee engagement.

Untangling event technology to power the next generation of events – A panel explains how technology can be used to problem-solve and showcases some of the latest ideas set to revolutionize the meetings industry.

Trends & research – Incentive Travel Index by the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE); AMEX GBT’s Event Marketing Trends report; ExpoPlatform’s Event Tech Forecast and MPI’s latest Meetings Outlook are just some of the industry’s hottest research reports to look out for.

Wellbeing – Tough Talks – a new format for this year – are focused discussions with speakers who are unafraid to tackle challenging topics. These are safe spaces for open and honest conversations about grief and male suicide, anxiety and the impact of peri and menopause.

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!”