Nearly 90 corporate buyers from 26 countries with combined buyers in the region of US$200 million seized the opportunity to share knowledge and network with their peers when they gathered the day before IMEX in Frankfurt for Exclusively Corporate @IMEX – a special event dedicated to meeting and event planners.
Senior executives from Microsoft, Peugeot, Siemens and MAC Cosmetics were among the participants at the event, held at the stylish Villa Kennedy, and enjoyed a packed day of education, networking and even a Mock Trial.
Leading business strategist, Dr Kaihan Krippendorff, delivered the keynote address on how to develop โmental agility,โ sharing insights from his study of over 200 successful innovators. As CEO of Outthinker, Kaihan helps companies including Red Bull, Microsoft, VMware, Nestle Purina, LโOrรฉal, TIAA-CREF, Aetna, Experian, Johnson & Johnson, and Citibank to reach strategic clarity and build strategic-thinking capacity.
Following a networking lunch, the education program then divided into tracks for Young Professionals and Experienced Professionals, all designed to help planners expand their knowledge of organizing business meetings and events, as well as meet industry experts and other professionals from around the world in exactly the same role.
The Mock Trial, a new feature this year for Exclusively Corporate @IMEX, created an authentic courtroom setting to explore a real, ethical scenario. Attendees participated in an engaging and educational session, with the opportunity to take the role of prosecution or defense lawyer and cross-examine the witness on both the supplier and the corporate side. Presiding over proceedings was renowned meetings industry lawyer Jon Howe, general counsel for Meeting Professionals International and the International Special Events Society, and also general counsel for the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives.
Alise Long, CMM, Manager Strategic Meetings & Events at DSM, in the Netherlands, said: โExclusively Corporate is one of the pinnacles of IMEX in Frankfurt โ itโs a real must-do! There are only three or four times a year when I can step away from my office and this is one of them that I value.โ
Mariola Miguelez, Global Programs and Sourcing Coordinator from The Boston Consulting Group in Spain, added: โThis is my first time at Exclusively Corporate and Iโve found it excellent. It has a very dynamic set up in terms of session formats and lengths and the venue is fantastic. I found the session on happiness very inspiring – this can be a stressful industry so itโs important to be reminded to take care of yourself. Not only am I taking that reminder back to the office, but I will share it with others.โ
Exclusively Corporate @IMEX was held as part of IMEX in Frankfurt currently taking place at Messe Frankfurt.
eTN is a media partner for IMEX.