Many of the learning sessions at IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 21 – 23 May (with EduMonday, May 20), focus on the topic of imagination, IMEX’s Talking Point for this year. The result is a wide range of learnings and insights delivered by experts from both within and outside the global business events industry.
Disruptive thinking
The team behind DUNDU, the giant puppet and previous playful addition to the show, will share their expertise on how to use art to boost playfulness in Puppet-thinking: where puppetry and design thinking collide. Sam McNeill, Song Division’s UK/Europe General Manager and one of the world’s most in-demand MC’s, will also explain the benefits of song writing as a route to problem-solving in Creating a culture of innovation.
True to their name, Marmalade on Toast will be taking an alternative approach to technology and innovation. Founder Simon Harmer thinks ‘the industry is ripe for disruption’ and will explain more in his session Using innovation to disrupt and engage. Meanwhile, the Editor-in-chief of Love Inc. Brittny Drye, will share her advice on creating authentic, inclusive content in Taking the next steps to becoming an equality-minded event business.
The topic of imagination will be expanded in a series of ‘Power chats’ delivered by some members of the IMEX Team. Based on first-hand experience, these interactive insights into the different facets of the show’s Imagination Talking Point will cover diversity and inclusion, imagination in action, and sustainability.
New for 2019 is PCMA’s #Iamremarkable workshop on EduMonday. Designed to tackle ‘gender-related modesty norms and glass ceilings’, this session will empower everyone taking part to speak openly about their accomplishments, in the workplace and beyond. It will be led by Katarzyna Seidl, Strategic Partner Manager in Global Partnerships Team at Google and Florian Ahle, global Brand Evangelist and Auto brand marketing expert who also teaches for the Google Digital
Academy in London
#iamremarkable is one of three specially-tailored PCMA workshops, with the next at PCMA’s EduCon in Los Angeles in June and the third at IMEX America in September.
Experiences alongside education
New experiences and activities introduced at this year’s show will fire up the imagination of planners and exhibitors alike. Many of these can be found at the show’s new Discovery Zone which is home to holograms, robots, illusionists, music and art along with a few surprises. EduMonday on May 20 at Kap Europa will showcase its own ‘Imagination Zone’ where attendees can tap into their artistic streak at a painting party or unleash some fancy moves at a silent disco.