IMEX Frakfurt 2019 Wrap Up

May 23, 2019

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) teamed up with Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) to take part in IMEX Frankfurt 2019.

As part of the Australia stand MCB and MCEC hosted a fantastic 3-day event showcasing Melbourne as a business events destination. MCB’s General Manager Business Development and Bids Beverley Williamson, MCB’s Director UK & Europe, Fiona Chappell and Senior Business Development Manager UK & Europe, Giles Handford were available at the stand to explain why Melbourne is a premium business event destination.

In an exciting announcement, IMEX Frankfurt served as the platform for MCB to unveil the Melbourne Virtual Site Visit. This new interactive tool will help international associations and professional conference organisers (PCOs) plan their upcoming conference in Melbourne, Australia. IMEX attendees experienced first-hand this new VR tool and got to view Melbourne in 360.

In the evening of day 1 of IMEX, MCB, Dubai Business Events and MCEC united to host the IAPCO Dinner and share the latest on universal accessibility across leading BestCities Global Alliance destinations.

The IAPCO Dinner event featured a Dialogue in the Dark pop-up which challenged perceptions and dismantled convention around social framing, cohesion and inclusivity across the business events industry.

Guests had the opportunity to adorn eye masks and canes to briefly experience what it is like to attend a business event as someone with accessibility issues. This aimed to activate their senses and challenge thinking to generate new ways of doing business.

Towards the end of day 2, it was time for the Australia stand networking event. Attendees enjoyed a well-deserved drink, including sampling some unique Vegemite Gin.

At the IMEX gala dinner, Roslyn McLeod OAM owner and founder of MCB partner Arinex, was presented with the Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Award. This international award, which was presented at a gala dinner, acknowledges those who have made ‘outstanding contributions’ to the meetings industry.

The MCB team is still eager to speak with as many potential clients on the final day of IMEX. If you’re attending the event and haven’t spoken with Beverley, Fiona or Giles, head over to the Australia Stand (no. B320).

It has been an amazing few days sharing Melbourne with those at IMEX Frankfurt 2019, and soon the MCB team will be starting to prepare for IMEX America this September.