IMEX Frankfurt 2026 officially opened today at Messe Frankfurt, marking its biggest edition to date in terms of exhibitor floor space. The world-renowned meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) trade show reflects strong confidence, investment, and growth across the global business events industry.
Bringing together thousands of industry professionals from around the world, IMEX Frankfurt 2026 serves as a leading platform for networking, business development, education, and innovation within the international meetings and events sector.
Nearly 3,000 Exhibitors Showcase Global Industry Strength
This year’s edition features nearly 3,000 exhibiting companies, participating either through individual booths or as part of destination and industry partnerships. The expanded exhibition floor highlights the continued recovery and growth of the global events industry.
Several regions have significantly increased their presence at the show, including Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. New exhibitors from countries and destinations such as Angola, Mauritius, São Paulo, and Uzbekistan are making their debut appearances, further enhancing the event’s international reach.
The growing participation from emerging destinations demonstrates increasing investment in business tourism, meetings infrastructure, and international event attraction strategies.
Major Hotel Groups Expand Presence at IMEX Frankfurt
Alongside strong representation from North America, Europe, and the Middle East, leading global hospitality brands have established a significant presence on the exhibition floor.
Major hotel groups including Marriott, Hilton, and Radisson are participating with large-scale exhibits, while Hyatt and IHG have expanded their booth spaces to showcase new offerings, venues, and event solutions aimed at meeting planners and corporate buyers.
The strong presence of the hospitality sector highlights the industry’s commitment to supporting the continued growth of international meetings and business travel.
IMEX Frankfurt 2026 to Host Major Industry Announcements
The event will serve as a launch platform for several significant industry announcements throughout the three-day exhibition.
Attendees can expect updates from established and emerging destinations, including the unveiling of a new convention bureau, announcements regarding a new international airport, and the release of a major study examining event legacy and long-term impact.
Industry partners will also present new research covering critical topics such as sustainability, incentives, economic impact, and the future development of global business events.
These announcements are expected to provide valuable insights into evolving industry trends and future growth opportunities.
More Than 4,000 Buyers from 80+ Countries Attend
IMEX Frankfurt 2026 has attracted more than 4,000 hosted and attendee buyers from over 80 countries, creating extensive opportunities for suppliers and destinations to generate new business partnerships.
The event continues to serve as one of the most important global marketplaces for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry, facilitating thousands of business meetings between buyers and suppliers.
According to IMEX CEO Carina Bauer, the event’s primary purpose remains bringing people together face-to-face to build relationships, strengthen existing partnerships, learn from industry experts, and conduct business in a trusted environment.
Education Program Features More Than 200 Learning Sessions
A major attraction of IMEX Frankfurt 2026 is its comprehensive education program, featuring more than 200 professional development sessions designed for event planners, marketers, destination professionals, and industry leaders.
Most sessions are being hosted at the Inspiration Hub, located within a redesigned Hall 9. The newly transformed space has been created to encourage creativity, collaboration, and innovation while bringing the show’s “Design Matters” theme to life.
Topics range from event design and attendee engagement to sustainability, leadership, technology, business strategy, and future industry trends.
Professional Certifications and Industry Development Opportunities
Many of the educational sessions at IMEX Frankfurt provide accreditation points toward globally recognized professional certifications, including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), ICCASkills, and Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) programs.
These learning opportunities reinforce IMEX Frankfurt’s role not only as a business marketplace but also as a leading platform for professional development within the global events industry.
IMEX Frankfurt Reinforces Its Position as a Leading Global MICE Event
As the largest edition in its history, IMEX Frankfurt 2026 highlights the resilience and continued expansion of the global meetings and events industry. With record exhibitor participation, thousands of international buyers, major industry announcements, and an extensive educational program, the event continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most influential trade shows for business events professionals.
Taking place from 19-21 May 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, IMEX Frankfurt remains a key gathering point for the international MICE community, driving innovation, collaboration, and business growth across the sector.
