The global conversation around diversity in the global meetings and events industry has broadened significantly in recent years and IMEX has expanded the scope of one of its signature events, She Means Business (SMB), accordingly.
Now titled, She Means Business, a Conversation for All, IMEX together with partners tw magazine and MPI are now inviting everyone, no matter how they identify, to take a fresh look at diversity, gender equality and female empowerment. An expanded program now offers sessions on all three days of IMEX in Frankfurt.
Women seek conversation with men about diversity and gender equality brings people together in a spirit of open collaboration with:
- Marta Gomes, Deputy Executive Director Sales and Marketing Division at viparis
- Mike Sealy, Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Informa Markets
- Katharina Path, Marketing Manager Conventions at Frankfurt Convention Bureau
- Sherrif Karamat, CAE President & CEO PCMA Organization
Ulrike Tondorf, Head of Brand Activation and Engagement at Bayer AG; Tanja Auernhamer, Head of Association Communications at bvik; Christian Woronka, Director of Vienna Convention Bureau and Juliette Wangalachi, Event Manager at Solar Promotion all examine what lies ahead in Future of work: Diversity’s role in creating the work culture of tomorrow. Sponsored by Meeting Destination Vienna, this panel will be moderated by Jessie States, Vice President Meeting Professionals International, MPI.
Crises, resilience and social barriers
Mental health is another strong focus of the She Means Business three-day program, which will feature an open exchange on how to respond to crises and build resilience. Social barriers are also examined by speakers including Professor Dr. Ing Carsten Busch, President of HTW Berlin, in Breaking the Glass Ceiling.
Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO explains: “What started off as a small, female-focused event for the business events industry, has now grown to become a broader movement for all people, regardless of gender identity, to discuss how we as an industry can be more inclusive. Everyone’s invited to shape this conversation. The debate about inclusivity and diversity remains as important as ever and poses real challenges for the global meetings industry. We’re proud and excited by the partnerships and speakers we have in place who have created this timely and powerful program.”
Kerstin Wuensch, Editor in chief of tw magazine, is part of a panel presenting research into women in the events industry. Results of a new survey will be compared to findings from a similar study in 2017. The intention is to highlight what has changed (and what hasn’t) as well as the current business issues around gender equality.
Kerstin explains: “The pandemic has brought about inequalities between women and men. This makes it more difficult to achieve Goal 5 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): Gender Equality. At She Means Business we want to exchange ideas about diversity and gender equality and start to work together.”
The survey, by tw tagungswirtschaft and m+a report by the dfv media group and the IMEX Group, runs until 25 March – everyone is invited to take part.
She Means Business, a Conversation for All takes place during IMEX in Frankfurt, May 31 – June 2, 2022. The business events community can register here for free.
IMEX in Frankfurt 2022 will take place at Messe Frankfurt from May 31 – June 2, 2022.
eTurboNews is a media partner for IMEX Frankfurt.
