The IMEX Group has announced its Talking Point for 2023. After the previous theme (“Nature”) that ran for over two years due to the pandemic, next year’s theme will be Human Nature.
The Talking Point will provide the framework for the educational programme at each IMEX show, as well as a theme for exhibitors to embrace if they wish. It also sets the direction for the IMEX show experience design team.
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “Never have we been more aware of our vulnerabilities and responsibilities as humans. Our intention with Human Nature is to encourage everyone in the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry to recognise, understand and celebrate all that’s good about being human, particularly human diversity.
2023 would, according to Bauer, present a chance to regenerate “as we navigate our way through a tough business climate and build our Net Zero roadmap” She is convinced that meetings and business events have a “vital part to play in resetting our world for the better”
There will be six education tracks at IMEX next year: Technology and Innovation; Trends and Research; Experience Design and Event Marketing. A fifth track, Business Practices, will include the Event Planner Toolkit; track six, People and Planet, will specifically address Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Professional and Personal Development, Leadership, Culture and Engagement, Wellbeing and Sustainability.
“Our team is working with partners to design a show that focuses on many aspects of human nature, tapping into innate and learned behaviours; our diverse needs and goals; what makes us healthy; what inspires us; what makes face to face human connections vital; how we learn and how we remember. The result will be a show that delivers an elevated experience for all – one that’s purposeful yet firmly centred on making business enjoyable and productive,” explains Bauer.
Reportedly, a global roster of exhibitors is already confirmed from across Europe, Asia, Africa and America with supplier interest and momentum already tracking “well ahead of 2022”.
IMEX Frankfurt takes place from May 23 to 25. Registration is set to open in mid-January.
