Get set for ‘Impact’ at IMEX Frankfurt 2024

IMEX Frankfurt 2024 puts ‘Impact’ at the centre stage as it opens its door this week. 

The world’s leading tradeshow promises to be a catalyst for positive and lasting change within the events industry.

IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer previously set out how “making an impact is about taking action” – emphasizing the need for purpose-driven choices beyond hosting events. Get the full details below.

Here are the top headlines for your weekly event news updates:

• IMEX Frankfurt 2024 set to create ‘Impact’
• Informa boosts leadership team and enhanced share buyback program
• Messe Frankfurt ME names C-suite promotions, boosts presence in the US food industry
• RX strengthens energy sector offerings with new acquisition
• ExCeL London collaborates to reduce food-related emissions

↪️ A host of new tech features – provided by ExpoPlatform – will be unveiled at IMEX Frankfurt 2024. Read about it here

Read on for your full Week in Events roundup ⤵️

IMEX Frankfurt 2024 set to create ‘impact’ 

IMEX Frankfurt is set to welcome attendees with “impact” as the focus for this year’s show.

The idea of the theme revolves around driving positive change in the global events industry through a call for action.

ExpoPlatform is once again the official technology partner for the event – taking place between Tuesday and Thursday – with a suite of new and improved solutions to enhance experiences.

Carina previously said: “IMEX is in a unique position in the global events industry. We only run two annual trade shows and yet, because of their global market significance, our team’s visibility and experience, and our deep relationships with the sector, we’re often treated differently.

“That means people expect us to lead, to have a voice and to represent the best interests of all involved.

“I’ve learned not to take this responsibility lightly but to embrace it as an extraordinary opportunity to make a bigger, positive impact on the world.”

Some key areas to focus on were set out as a way eventprofs can continue to make positive contributions.

These included self education, supporting local organizations, improving environmental impacts, being kind and taking action.

Eventprofs are descending on the German city for the 2024 edition of the show, which is set to welcome thousands of exhibiting companies from all over the world.

The new and improved suite of digital features at IMEX Frankfurt have been designed to turbocharge a seamless experience for attendees.

Here’s a look at what’s included for 2024:

• Template for meeting request messages – Removes the need to repeatedly write a brand new message to each person or company.
• Better business leads export – Including exhibitor events, meeting ratings and meeting notes.
• Clickable interactive floorplan – Easier for attendees to navigate the Messe Frankfurt venue and IMEX show floor.
• Automatic refresh in mobile app – The mobile app will now automatically refresh every two minutes so all new meetings are synchronized and visible.
• See My Schedule – This is designed to improved visibility of your schedule to make the whole experience more flexible. Read more about it here.

Informa boosts leadership team and enhances share buyback program

Informa Plc has bolstered its leadership team and raised its share buyback program in its latest market update. 

Penny Ladkin-Brand has been appointed chief executive of Taylor & Francis, bringing expertise in specialist publishing and digital growth.

Jill Dougan is the new group chief marketing officer and is tasked with increasing value from Informa’s brands, intellectual property and first-party data.

Stephen Carter, Group CEO of Informa, said: “All Informa’s businesses are performing ahead or in line with 2024 targets, delivering growth and momentum which sees us delivering at the upper end of guidance range.

“Consequently, we are increasing our 2024 share buyback program by c.50% to £500m.

“At the same time, we are strengthening our Leadership Team with key appointments, both in our Academic Markets business, as well as in the management of our Data, Brands and Intellectual Property.”

He added:  “I am thrilled to see Executives of Penny and Jill’s quality and experience joining the leadership team at Informa.

“Our business is in growth, it is expanding, and we see lots of opportunities ahead.

“I am convinced they will help us get there faster and capture more of them.”

Key highlights from the trading update:

• Strong performance in the first four months of the year.
• Underlying revenue growth meets or exceeds expectations in B2B and Academic Markets.
• Strong momentum in major regions: North America, Asia, and IMEA.
• Notable B2B Market successes in various sectors: Healthcare – Arab Health, Manufacturing – IME West, Technology – LEAP, Real Estate & Construction – World of Concrete, Aviation – MRO Americas

Messe Frankfurt ME names C-suite promotions, boosts presence in the US food industry

Messe Frankfurt Middle East has made two executive promotions and partnered to expand its presence in the US food industry. 

Flyn Roberts – the new Chief Commercial Officer – will manage the commercial strategies and collaborate with stakeholders to foster business growth and streamline operations.

Ben Steinberg, who joined the organization last August, has been promoted to chief financial officer. He is tasked with guiding the company’s financial strategy for sustained growth and profitability.

CEO Ted Bloom said: “I am delighted to announce the promotions of Ben Steinberg and Flyn Roberts to the C-Suite.

“Both have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our company’s mission and values.

“I have full confidence in their ability to drive our organization forward and contribute to our continued success.”

In another key development, Messe Frankfurt has collaborated with YONTEX for the US food industry market.

Starting in 2025, top organizers from the global food processing and beverage fairs will combine their expertise at the US-based EATS, a joint venture by the Food Production Solutions Association and Messe Frankfurt.

Messe Frankfurt and YONTEX’s partnership is built around their IFFA and drinktec brands and positions EATS as a future global technology leader through strategic synergies.

Iris Jeglitza-Moshage, member of the extended board of management of Messe Frankfurt, said: “This strategic alliance in North America between Messe Frankfurt and YONTEX – the joint venture between Messe München and NürnbergMesse – is unique.

“It brings together each partner’s individual strength and provides our customers with real added value through an even greater reach.

“We are also delighted that Messe Frankfurt is now further solidifying its close working relationship with US industry association FPSA through its brand IFFA – the world’s leading trade fair for technology for meat and alternative proteins.”

RX strengthens energy sector offerings with new acquisition

RX Global has boosted its energy sector portfolio by acquiring Sustainable Energy Conferences (SEC).

SEC owns the World Hydrogen Summit and Hydrogen conferences in the Americas and Asia-Pacific, along with the Sustainable Energy Council brand.

These events target the evolving hydrogen economy, encompassing the full value chain—from production to end-use in industries and transport.

Hugh Jones, global CEO of RX, said: “This acquisition is part of our strategy to expand in the growing low carbon sector.

“Hydrogen is expected to be a large, high-growth and international sector critical to the future of decarbonising energy, industrial processes and transportation.

“The SEC portfolio is highly regarded, and RX is well-placed to leverage its impact, with these events complementing and enhancing RX’s wider offering in the energy sector. I very much look forward to working with the team.”

SEC founder Tim Clark said: “The global Hydrogen market continues to grow and revolutionize the energy world. Joining RX will allow us to grow these events by leveraging their technology platforms, global network and operational expertise. I look forward to our teams sharing their know-how and commitment to evolve our brands and products.”

ExCeL London collaborates to reduce food-related carbon emissions

ExCeL London has teamed up with a leading food sustainability data expert to minimize carbon emissions in its in-house dishes.

The partnership between ExCeL and Foodsteps will equip the venue’s kitchen staff with UK lifecycle data to craft low-carbon recipes.

Natalie Sykes, ExCeL’s sustainability manager, said: “Food production accounts for almost a third of total global emissions, with animal-based products – in particular red meat and dairy – responsible for much of this.

“With food and drink a key element of the event industry, we want to do all we can to better inform our visitors and event organisers, and to reduce our overall emissions wherever we can.

“Foodsteps will make it easy to do that and complements our other measures which include reducing red meat on menus, and all desserts being dairy-free.”

The partnership will introduce a customer-facing Foodsteps label system, ranging from A (very low) to E (very high), to guide climate-friendly food selections for visitors and event organizers.

Kevin Watson, business director & Net Zero Lead at Levy UK+I, added: “Partnering with Foodsteps allows us to better support our clients and customers, it demonstrates why the menu is such a powerful and important ally for meaningful change.

“Focusing on better data so our chefs and operational teams are informed, empowered, and recognised for the positive impact they can have in every single service, is what we’re trying to achieve together.”

We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful. At ExpoPlatform, we want to help you build better events and communities. Please get in touch and ask for a demo here. Thank you 😀