The first day of IMEX Frankfurt 2025 kicked off with undeniable momentum as the largest-ever edition of the trade show opened its doors, welcoming nearly 3,000 exhibiting companies and over 4,000 buyers from around the world. Spanning a record amount of exhibitor floor space, this year’s IMEX reflects a global business events industry that is thriving, forward-looking, and driven by innovation.
 

A vibrant, expansive show floor

Europe dominates the show floor with an expanded presence across multiple countries and regions, making it the largest geographical segment at the event. Close behind, the Middle East showcased significant growth, underlining its increasing influence in the global meetings and events sector.

The hotel sector emerged as a major force, bringing the largest number of new exhibiting companies to IMEX, including Barceló Hotel Group, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, and Unique Resorts Pvt Ltd. Overall, 15% of booths are new to the show this year, with new participants hailing from a diverse mix of regions including Seychelles, Kenya, Pattaya, Cyprus, Wales, Ajman, Saudi Arabia, and Peru.

Creativity in booth design and event activation

Exhibitors are embracing immersive and eye-catching designs to draw attention and engagement. Highlights include Buenos Aires’ inflatable cocktail bar, a hobbit-themed booth from New Zealand, and widespread use of biophilic elements like bamboo and greenery to bring nature onto the show floor. IMEX organizers have also introduced interactive activations such as a giant mirror box, tape art installations, musical performances, and even a large-scale paint-by-numbers mural—all aimed at sparking inspiration and conversation.

Innovation in education and technology

Supporting the event’s theme of connection and learning, the Inspiration Hub hosts over 200 education sessions across nine tracks, including “Impact,” the IMEX 2025 Talking Point. Attendees can expect fresh formats, engaging speakers, and insightful content designed to elevate networking and business outcomes.
Tech also plays a pivotal role. The IMEX Events App, powered by Visit Monaco, has been upgraded to streamline attendee experiences, allowing on-the-go scheduling and meeting bookings.

Industry announcements and highlights

On the opening day, major announcements spotlighted strategic developments from around the globe. Notably:

• Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) unveiled its new initiative “Meet in Thailand: Your Success, Your Moment,” centered on the 3M elements—MaxiMICE, Meaningful, and Memorable. These pillars promote Thailand as a destination that offers enhanced infrastructure, sustainability, and cultural immersion. TCEB also shared updates including improved Bangkok transit links, new direct flights from Paris to Phuket, and its 2026 designation as MICE Celebration Year with a slate of high-profile international events.
• Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) and ICCA World signed an agreement to host an exclusive Association Day in Oman this December. The event will bring 10 international associations together with local stakeholders to further elevate Oman’s role in the global business events arena.

Cvent rankings reflect strong North American market

Meanwhile, Cvent’s 2025 rankings, released in conjunction with IMEX, placed Orlando, FL at the top of the list for meeting destinations in North America, followed by Las Vegas and Chicago. On the hotel side, Nashville made a strong showing, claiming the top four spots with Renaissance Nashville Hotel, JW Marriott Nashville, Grand Hyatt Nashville and Omni Nashville Hotel.

The Luxembourg Convention Bureau makes an announcement

The Luxembourg Convention Bureau's press conference marked a milestone with the first-ever appearance of a Luxembourgish government minister at IMEX. Eric Thill, Minister Delegate for Tourism, joined newly appointed CEO Bettina Bunge to spotlight Luxembourg’s growing role as a strategic, accessible, and internationally-minded events hub. In 2024, the country hosted 9,150 events, welcomed 935,000 participants, and saw 650,000 international overnight stays. Now ranked 60th in the ICCA World Rankings—a nine-place jump—Luxembourg is embracing its new slogan, “meet. connect. accelerate,” and expanding its luxury offering with Hotel de la Poste and Hotel de la Pétruse opening soon.

My interactions of the day

Throughout the day, I was lucky enough to meet with various exhibitors from hotels to DMCs to tourism offices.

I started off my day with a meeting with the Visit Iceland team to discuss the luxury offerings in the country and all the unique experiences they have to offer – think horse riding in the countryside, river lagoons, whale watching, and kayaking in the fjords.

I met with Chrystel Clement from La Maison Younan. The group owns breathtaking chateaux in France that have preserved their charm and whose interior design is an homage to the history of each property. We discussed their MICE offerings – meetings, weddings, company retreats – and had a conversation on the love for service and hospitality and how it affects the customer experience when you can feel the passion from the team. I am now obsessed with this group and eagerly waiting to see what they will do next.

I discussed briefly with Paradisus by Melia Bali about their MICE for when the hotel reopens in December 2025. Following this conversation, I met with Bastien Pucheu, the Area Director of Commercial for the incoming InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, set to open on July 14^th 2025. Watch out for the article to find out everything about what promises to be a beautiful property.

A property that had caught my eye was Dromoland Castle Hotel and Resort. Situated in Ireland, in County of Clare, this property pays homage to its medieval heritage with themed MICE dinners, falconry and its designs. The golf course is an added bonus to guests’ stay. Situated a short drive from Shannon Airport, it is easily accessible.

At a nearby booth, I met the team for the Celtic Manor Resort and its Hunter Lodges. The five-star hotel is situated in Wales near Cardiff and offers a golf course and a golf academy, as well as many different wellness activities.

I ended my day by discussing with Catherine Chaulet, president and CEO of Global DMC Partners, about the trends in luxury travelling, where she revealed discerning travellers more and more seek experiences that are not only unique to them and the destination but also support the local economy.

With a packed agenda, a record-setting show floor, and a shared sense of optimism across regions and sectors, IMEX Frankfurt 2025 is off to an electrifying start. The next two days promise even more announcements, insights, and connections as the global business events community continues to gather, learn, and grow—together.