My First IMEX Frankfurt: 3 Days, 20 Meetings, and a World of Venues

IMEX Frankfurt was my very first IMEX and I liked it.

I was there on 19, 20 & 21 May with one simple goal: meet venues and grow my network in the events world. On day one I'll be honest: I felt overwhelmed but also excited. There's a lot happening at once, and then suddenly you're in it; meetings, conversations, ideas, and that constant feeling that something interesting is happening just around the corner.

In three days I managed 20 planned meetings, 55,956 steps, and so many fun, unexpected catch-ups in the aisles. You know the ones,  you stop for a quick hello and suddenly you're swapping recommendations, introductions, and wait! you're here too? stories.

Why I went (and why it matters for you)

If you're planning corporate events, you don't need another generic venue list. You need options that fit your brief: the right capacity, the right vibe, the right flow, and the right budget.

Thats why I went to IMEX.

I run my own venue sourcing business, and the best way to do this well is to stay close to the people behind the venues and to what's changing in the industry. The relationships you build at events like this make a difference later, when a client needs answers quickly (and the right venue is'nt obvious from a website).

The IMEX energy: planned meetings + aisle magic

Yes, I came in with a schedule, but what surprised me most was how much happened between the meetings.

IMEX is one of those shows where you can bump into an industry friend, get introduced to someone new, and suddenly you're talking about a venue you've never heard of or a destination that's quietly leveling up its corporate offering.

Those conversations are the best part because they're real, unfiltered, and usually come with the kind of practical insight you cant get from a brochure.

A small thing that felt big: the NL Pavilion drinks

One moment that really stood out for me was joining the networking drinks at the NL Pavilion.

I've organised plenty of NL Pavilions myself (and still do). So it was a treat to just show up and enjoy it.

It sounds small, but it reminded me how valuable simple, well-run networking can be and how much easier it is to build connections when the setting does some of the work for you.

Two standout evenings (and two very different vibes)

A big highlight for me was stepping out of the exhibition hall and into a different setting where you can actually have proper conversations.

Monaco Convention Bureau Networking Reception

Tuesday evening, I joined the Monaco Convention Bureau for a networking reception and it was the perfect change of pace after a full day on the show floor.

We headed up to Fifty Heights (on the 50th floor of Tower 185) and the views over Frankfurt were beautiful, the kind that makes you pause for a second and just take it in.

The food was lovely, there was great entertainment, and the conversations were even better: relaxed & fun.

It was also a reminder that the right venue doesnt just hold an event, it sets the tone for it.

Oman Convention Bureau Networking Reception

Wednesday evening was a totally different vibe in the best way.

The Oman Convention Bureau (part of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman) hosted a sunny riverside BBQ at Frankfurter Botschaft. The conversations were relaxed, the atmosphere was easy, and the Middle Eastern food was excellent, think grilled seafood, chicken, and vegetables, plus canapes that were hard to stop picking at.

Both evenings were a good reminder of something I see again and again in this industry: the best events are a mix of things. A great setting, great hospitality, and the kind of conversations that feel easy & not forced.

Being part of the LJS Representation Flock Together Hosted Buyer Group

Another highlight was being part of the LJS Representation Flock Together Hosted Buyer Group.

Its hard to describe how energising it is to be around people who love events, care about experience, and understand the details that make or break a programme. I met so many industry friends and made new ones too.

My #1 takeaway: there are so many great venues out there

If I had to sum up my biggest takeaway from IMEX in one sentence, its this:

There are a lot of great venues out there for your event.

And that's good news but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Because having lots of options does'nt automatically mean you have the right options.

IMEX reinforced how much value there is in:

- Knowing what's available across destinations (and what's a strong fit for corporate groups)

- Understanding the differences between venues that look similar on paper

- Having direct relationships so you can get quick answers, realistic availability, and clear guidance

- Moving from: here's a list to here are the 36 venues that match your brief

What this means for your next corporate event

If you're planning a conference, off-site, seminar, product launch, or networking event, the venue decision sets the tone for everything else.

My role is to take the time-consuming part off your plate and bring you strong, relevant options fast.

IMEX gave me fresh inspiration, new connections, and even more confidence that theres a perfect venue out there for almost any corporate event brief  you just need someone who knows where to look (and who to ask).

Want help with venue sourcing?

If you're planning a corporate event and want support with venue sourcing, send me your brief!

A few details are enough to start:

• City/country 
• Dates or date range
• Estimated number of attendees
• Budget range
• Type of event + must-haves

And I'll come back to you with a shortlist of venues that fit saving you hours of searching and back-and-forth.