Taking place on Tuesday May 19 during IMEX Frankfurt, the Place Leaders Forum builds on the legacy of the IMEX Policy Forum while focusing on the new market needs around place leadership and the destination economy.
A renewed platform for integrated place leadership and event strategy
The scope of the Forum has been broadened to unite the full range of destination decision-makers, as Natasha Richards, IMEX’s Director of Impact & Industry Relations, explains:
“We’ve enhanced the Forum to align with how destinations function and compete today. New governance models are emerging, and decision makers need clearer evidence, deeper insight and stronger cross-sector partnerships. Cities and countries now operate in complex environments where economic development, talent, investment, culture and liveability all overlap. Business events play a critical role in this mix—not just economically, but by delivering multiple positive impacts within research, innovation, health, sustainability and community well-being.”
“The Forum brings together place leaders and event strategists to unlock this shared value.”
New white paper—contributions invited
In partnership with Professor Greg Clark CBE and The Business of Cities, IMEX is preparing a new white paper to inform discussion at the Forum. The Destination Economy, Place Leadership , and the Strategic Role of Business Events have been created in response to a shift in how cities compete for talent, investment, and innovation. Greg outlines why the pace of urban and economic change has created a pivotal moment for the business events sector:
“Global mobility, knowledge-driven economies, and competition between places have elevated the importance of convening, collaboration and narrative. Business events are uniquely positioned to contribute to these dynamics, provided the sector is willing to evolve its role, invest in new capabilities, and engage seriously with the long-term future of the places it serves.”
Destination leaders are invited to contribute case studies of business events which have been proven to enhance local economic, innovation or community goals, with the final paper scheduled for launch after the Forum.
The new Place Leaders Forum continues IMEX’s legacy of uniting the events community with policymakers, advancing their vision for a thriving global events industry focused on positive change and following in the footsteps of the Politicians Forum, which launched at the first IMEX Frankfurt show in 2003.
The Place Leaders Forum is organized in collaboration with the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), City Destinations Alliance (City DNA), Destinations International, German Convention Bureau (GCB), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe and U.S. Travel Association, under the auspices of Events Industry Council (EIC) and the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).
Explore more about IMEX Frankfurt here.
