Global exhibitor momentum
Europe represents the largest share of the show floor, with several destinations increasing their presence, including Austria, Croatia, Denmark and Romania; while Cyprus has nearly doubled its booth size.
Asia will be the second‑largest region represented, with Japan, Malaysia and Singapore all expanding their booths and Hong Kong returning.
Momentum is equally strong from Africa: Tunisia and Uganda are participating again; Mauritius, Mozambique and Angola are all new, with the latter set to reveal more details about its new convention bureau at the show.
There’s also a clear signal of commitment from Middle Eastern destinations: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and Ras Al-Khaimah all return with the same space as last year, and a representative from the UAE Ministry will also be attending the show.
IMEX CEO, Carina Bauer, says: “The momentum we’ve seen during the run-up to the show points to a sector that’s resilient, globally connected and determined to push ahead with business despite economic pressures and geopolitical instability. Next week’s IMEX Frankfurt is shaping up to be one of our largest, most commercially dynamic and globally diverse editions yet. This industry never ceases to impress me.”
Design Matters Talking Point
Design Matters, IMEX’s Talking Point, will be woven throughout every corner of this year’s show experience—from exhibitor booth concepts to the 200+ session education program and a redesigned Hall 9.
Four of the show’s eleven education tracks are design‑focused: Design matters, Regenerative design, Designing for human needs and Experiential event design. Together, they reflect the industry’s growing commitment to crafting events that are purposeful, human-centred, and regenerative by default.
All education takes place in the new‑look Inspiration Hub, a central feature of the Hall 9 redesign and home to the new Flow, Rise and Evolve theaters—each named after elements of Frankfurt’s natural landscape such as the River Main and City Forest.
Hall 9, which also houses the well-appointed IMEX Hosted Buyer Lounge, German‑language education from the respected MICE Impact Academy and a wide range of activations, is a tangible expression of the IMEX team’s own design thinking in practice.
As the global business events community heads to IMEX Frankfurt next week, the message is clear: strong demand, global reach and a renewed focus on purposeful design reflect a sector not only ready, but determined to do business and to use the show as its steadfast and trusted platform to do so.
IMEX Frankfurt takes place May 19-21. Learn more here.
