The ninth IMEX, the annual exhibition that represents the worldwide meetings, events, and incentive travel industry, was held in Frankfurt, Germany, May 24–26. It attracted nearly 3,900 hosted buyers and 9,000 total delegates; and more than 57,000 appointments were made between buyers and exhibitors. Association Day, held on the Monday before the show opened, drew more than 300 association executives, a record number. Strong education outside of exhibit hours, a quality-driven show floor dedicated to doing business, and popular evening networking events—including Association Evening, Site Nite, FRESH Dinner (hosted by Maarten Vanneste, creator of the meeting architecture discipline), and the IMEX Gala Awards—help make the event a must-attend for global meeting professionals. More on the meeting.

At the Monday evening Site Nite, an event that raises funds for the Site Foundation (from left): Maureen Pickell, ConventionPlanit.com, and Jane E. Schuldt, CITE, president, 
World Marketing Group