HARRIET'S TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING IMEX | JUNE 2018 | Blog

The usual routine is an early morning start to catch your flight (I had my alarm set for 4am!). On arrival you are taken straight to the venue and appointments begin. I had about 8 appointments per day plus 2 group appointments and 2 seminars, this was then followed by having a general look at everything at the show.

When you arrive in the exhibition hall there is a bright array of stands, each trying to provide you with an experience and snapshot of their destination or product. You will find a stand for almost every country in the world and these consist of hotel chains, destination management companies and convention bureaus. Many of the stands offer local delicacies, refreshments and gifts and you usually come out with bags of brochures and memory sticks with information to take home with you! You are also never far from a glass of bubbly with all of the networking events that happen on the stands.

In the evenings you will either be whisked away for a dinner by your hosts or you have the chance to explore Frankfurt. It never takes long until you are invited along to the Gibson Club, the famous nightclub where the majority of IMEX attendees end up!

A couple of tips on how to make the most of your visit. I would definitely advise pre planning your schedule beforehand. With over 3000 exhibitors, countless seminars and educational shows and networking events it is impossible to see and do everything but it is worth prioritising the ones you want to see or do. It is also worth looking at the floor plan before booking appointments to try and book areas at a time so you are not running from one end of the hall to another! Also comfy shoes are a must!

The show provides a fantastic opportunity to connect and build relationships with suppliers and fellow meeting planners. It provides innovative ideas for events, opportunity for researching and extending knowledge on destinations and the industry. They also showcase various entertainment acts and hold insightful educational sessions discussing hot topics.