Set the tone with Taiwan, booth B400 anytime from 10 am by watching a mesmerizing calligraphy display and come away with artwork created just for you. Or start the day with isla’s Anna Abdelnoor and Encore’s Patrick Sullivan as they share a sustainability measurement story, and how you can create your own, at Encore, booth 9005, Hall 9 from 10 to 10:25 am.
Continuing the sustainability theme, Bella Center Copenhagen share their holistic, responsible hosting approach to more sustainable event production at the VisitDenmark booth F260 at 10:30 am.
From 11 to 11:30 am join the first of the Google Xi CoLabs at booth 9015, Hall 9 as Storycraft LAB’s Naomi Crellin and Natalie Fulgencio-Turner open the Belonging Playbook and show you how to apply belonging principles throughout your event attendees’ journey.
Meet Robert Dunsmore at the Inspiration Hub info desk, Hall 9 at 12:30 for a half-hour Wonder Walk to seek out show floor naturescapes, to find moments of wonder and to explore our innate affinity with the natural environment.
Head deep into the forest from 2 to 2:25 pm as Leave No Trace’s Richard Crawford illustrates how to employ the power of responsible travel to create positive impact through sustainable tourism in the Forest room, Inspiration Hub, booth 9005, Hall 9.
New this year, we’re working with Snapsight to produce real-time session summaries for all education in Hall 9’s Canyon, Forest and Ocean rooms on our Inspiration Hub, and in our Research Pod and People & Planet Village. So, no need to take notes (unless you want to practice the calligraphy skills you’ve picked up on the Taiwan booth), just go to the session summaries
Tuesday night at IMEX is always CIMclubbing@IMEX night. This year the evening starts outside on Le Panther’s gorgeous garden terrace before heading inside for dinner, a DJ, and for the energetic majority, dancing.
ICCA 2023 rankings released
ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) announced the release of the 2023 ICCA Rankings Report at their plenary meeting in Frankfurt yesterday, Monday, May 13.
Produced by ICCA’s research team who review all meetings submitted by ICCA members, the report includes more than 10,000 2023 meetings.
“We’re pleased to share ICCA’s Country and City Rankings for 2023,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA. “Our research team has performed exceptionally in compiling this comprehensive data. It’s a cornerstone for our association, providing invaluable insights that empower our members and enhance our community’s strategic positioning.”
This year’s report is notable for increased diversity in the top-20 country rankings as Latin America and Oceania were also represented. Additionally, the findings included an Asian destination in the top five ranking, demonstrating the region’s positive development in adapting to a competitive environment.
ICCA is focused on promoting the positive impact international meetings and events can bring to all corners of the globe and will continue its role as a vehicle for change and an advocate for good in the industry and in the world as a whole.
ICCA rankings 2023
ICCA is a global community and knowledge hub for the international association and governmental meetings industry. Founded in 1963, ICCA specializes in the international association meetings sector, offering data, education and communication channels, as well as business development and networking opportunities. Today, ICCA continues to advocate for the world of international meetings. The ICCA Association Community offers associations across the world education, connections, tools and resources to help them organize more effective and successful meetings.
Exploring fabulous Frankfurt
From May 11 to 13 just before IMEX Frankfurt 2024, the Frankfurt Convention Bureau welcomed a group of international journalists to a pre-IMEX press trip, showing them the congress city from its most sustainable side.
Under the umbrella of impact, IMEX’s talking point this year, the press trip attendees litter-picked on a guided walking tour, moved through the Scandic Frankfurt Museumsufer either in wheelchairs or blindfolded for a barrier-free site inspection, and addressed the issue of food waste over lunch with Mainfood Catering.
The upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 was also on the agenda. After a tour of the city’s football stadium Deutsche Bank Park, a business events venue as well as a football stadium, Frankfurt experts shared details of the sustainability measures at the planned Fan Zone along the River Main.
Other stops included the nhow Frankfurt and NH Collection Frankfurt Spin Tower hotels, the Lindner Hotel Frankfurt Sportpark and Messe Frankfurt’s sustainably built congress center Kap Europa. A highlight was a ride on a Velotaxi along the river. The group also learnt about the local bar and restaurant scene and experienced the city’s cultural offerings during a visit to the Opera Square Festival, running until May 17, offering visitors a colorful mix of culture and culinary delights.
If you’d like to learn more about sustainable events in Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Convention Bureau team look forward to seeing you at FrankfurtRhineMain booth F110 this week.
Conscious cruising at IMEX
Published in October last year, CLIA’s (Cruise Lines International Association) report Charting the Future of Sustainable Cruise Travel sets out their members commitment to a better future, one that goes beyond reducing environmental impact, to using the power of travel to support responsible tourism, to connect people and places, to inspire travelers to sail responsibly.
Initiatives explored include scaling up the use of biofuel, using electric batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, wind, solar and shoreside electricity, working with destinations and ports to embed sustainability, and asking cruise travelers to be culturally sensitive and environmentally aware.
Beyond visible sustainability measures such as conservation charity partnerships, robust recycling programs and single-use plastic bans, fundamental elements include the choice of fuel, wastewater treatment and hull design.
Case studies shared include MSC Euribia’s June 2023 net zero voyage, proving that net zero cruising is possible, Royal Caribbean’s use of AI to adjust food production, preparation, and supply in real time to reflect guest demographics, cruise itineraries and weather variations.
To help protect the marine environment, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings work on local projects including a study in partnership with the Perry Institute of Marine Science and Nova Southeastern University to improve the coral reef surrounding Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, establishing nurseries for the endangered Acropura coral.
Sail toward a better future with CLIA members at IMEX including Crystal Cruises, booth G520; MSC Cruises, booth G120; Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, booth F570; Riverside Luxury Cruises, booth E020; Royal Caribbean, booth F635; Silversea Cruises, booth F635; TUI Cruises, booth F130 and VIVA Cruises, booth G120.
Tomorrow
If you’re a runner, this is your opportunity to become an IMEXrunner – sometimes fast, always fun, and in it for the camaraderie, not just the competitiveness (although there’s always a healthy dose of that too!). Register and pick up your T-shirt today and meet first thing tomorrow morning (6:30am) next to the Holbeinsteg bridge down on the river.
Or have a more relaxed start to the day with a walking tour of Messe Frankfurt’s event spaces including the Congress Center, the Festhalle, the Forum and the new Hall 5. Meet at Messe Frankfurt’s Ludwig Erhard Anlage entrance next to the Congress Center at 8:30 am.
eTurboNews is a media partner for IMEX.
