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GERMANY – IMEX FRANKFURT 2026 LAUNCHES THE NEW IMEX PLACE LEADERS FORUM
New developments for IMEX Frankfurt 2026, scheduled to take place in Frankfurt from May 19 to 21: the event will see the debut of the IMEX Place Leaders Forum, a new appointment dedicated to senior decision-makers in the events industry and strategic leaders of destinations. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 19, building on the legacy of the IMEX Policy Forum while expanding its scope to respond to the evolving needs of the market.
As explained by Natasha Richards, Director of Impact & Industry Relations at IMEX, the format has been enhanced to better align with how destinations operate and compete today, in a context where economic development, talent and investment attraction, culture, and quality of life are increasingly interconnected. In this scenario, events play a strategic role not only from an economic perspective but also for their impact on research, innovation, health, sustainability, and community wellbeing.
In collaboration with Professor Greg Clark CBE and The Business of Cities, IMEX is also preparing a new white paper titled The Destination Economy, Place Leadership and the Strategic Role of Business Events, which will help shape the discussion during the forum.
The Place Leaders Forum is organized in collaboration with major international industry associations, including the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA), Destinations International, the German Convention Bureau (GCB), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe, and the U.S. Travel Association, with the patronage of the Events Industry Council (EIC) and the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC).