FRANKFURT, Germany – IMEX in Frankfurt 2015, the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, will be the biggest since its launch in 2003 when it opens its doors next week.

Fifty-five new stands from every continent and from every meetings market sector will be among the 3,500 exhibiting companies who represent over 150 countries at Messe Frankfurt from May 19-21. Forty-five established exhibitors have booked larger stands from as far afield as Abu Dhabi to China, the Netherlands to Azerbaijan and Peru to New York City, making this year’s show the largest in its history.

With demand from hosted buyers continuing to strengthen year-on-year, hundreds of new hosted buyers, many of them from long haul destinations, will be arriving in Frankfurt as part of the almost 4,000 strong program.

The IMEX educational program, now based around the Inspiration Hub on the show floor, will offer 170 education sessions, with 30 of these in German, providing a comprehensive wide ranging choice. There will be new early morning sessions on Business Networking and Building Confidence. Two new session formats will be geared specifically towards Young Professionals – for anyone with up to 3 years industry experience – and Senior Professionals – for anyone with 8 years of experience or more.

Also new this year within the education program is Creative Thursday featuring engaging interactive sessions such as how to form effective partnerships with suppliers and advice on event design.

At the IMEX Opening Ceremony on Tuesday morning, the keynote speaker will be Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP, the world’s largest business software company who is a passionate advocate of the value and power of meetings in building business.

Trade visitors and buyers can still register for IMEX online in advance, or in person from at the show from May 19-May 21. Registration is fast and free.

eTN is a media partner for IMEX Frankfurt.