As the new event year got underway, BOE INTERNATIONAL attracted international participants to the two-day show at Messe Dortmund on 11 and 12 January 2023, once again enabling suppliers in all segments of the event industry to showcase their expertise in live communications, MICE and business travel to a large audience.
The VIP interviews with the ex-professional footballer and brand ambassador Rúrik Gíslason and Dr Georg Kofler, entrepreneur and panellist on the German version of “The Dragons’ Den”, were just some of the inspiring items in a supporting programme which featured a host of highlights designed to inform and entertain. Another highlight was the keynote talk by Isabel Grupp, entrepreneur, influencer and state head of the Young Entrepreneurs’ organisation in Baden-Württemberg. The exciting and extensive programme and the opportunity for the entire industry to come together again ensured a happy mood among all present.
The trade visitors, too, are already looking forward to next year with great anticipation, with around 90% wanting to attend next year’s international event marketing show. BOE INTERNATIONAL 2024 is to take place on 17 and 18 January 2024.
High quality of visitors praised by businesses and partner organisations
Suppliers, too, were very pleased with the interest shown by trade visitors, the density of contacts and the number of highly specific enquiries. This is a view shared by Christian Supa, Managing Director of supaevent GmbH: “The interest is there, and the response is great – the event industry is alive and kicking!” Florian Gehrs from Corporate Communications at Party Rent Group also emphasised the successful re-launch of BOE: “We’re very satisfied with the comeback of BOE INTERNATIONAL – especially in terms of the quality of contacts.” Sebastian Rudolph, Project Manager at Aventem GmbH added: “The show reflects the entire spectrum of the industry. We had many interesting conversations with different visitors and exhibitors. Everyone really talks to everyone here.”
Lothar Genz, Managing Director of S.O.F.A. GmbH, also emphasised the show’s importance, saying, “BOE INTERNATIONAL is always a positive experience, and this year brought especially large numbers of trade visitors who came along with specific interests and enquiries.”
Whether they were attending the show for the first time or have been coming for many years, around 94% of the businesses have already confirmed they will be taking part in next year’s show. A veritable wealth of contacts are available to be made at BOE, covering potential customers and contacts within the industry with event agencies on the lookout for suitable partners and staff, and freelancers offering their services to other providers. Overall, this goes to create an industry get-together that is clearly of higher value than an exhibition-only event.
Winning programme – inspiring and varied
The show was really enriched by six stages and a special events area offering a wealth of insights, ideas and information on topics currently occupying minds in the industry. One key focal point was the trending topic of sustainability, for which BOE INTERNATIONAL is a strong advocate along with its strategic sustainability partner 2bdifferent. Advancing young talent is also a key aspect at BOE, and young high-talent individuals were this year able to gather information and find their entry points to the industry at two on-site events: the new BrandEx Fresh format and the sixth FORUM EVENT. The rich supporting programme was supported by numerous partners and a host of key industry associations.
Creative achievements honoured at BrandEx Awards
The evening before BOE INTERNATIONAL got underway saw this year’s BrandEx Awards which honoured the best projects of the year in the areas of live marketing and brand architecture. The high-calibre panel of experts selected 23 entries in 15 categories, with Category 16 of the BrandEx Awards – entitled ‘Fresh’ – reserved for a special purpose, namely for young talents to submit their fresh ideas for live communications individually or as a team. For some entrants, the evening was particularly successful, with two or more prizes going to recipients including concept design consultants onliveline, Uniplan, George P. Johnson, fischer Appelt, DO IT! Gesellschaft für Field Activation, brand positioners insglück – Gesellschaft für Markeninszenierung, facts und fiction and brand communication experts Schachzug – Agentur für Markenkommunikation. The winning team in the ‘Fresh’ category was also from Schachzug.
See all award winners here.
