Registration is now live for IMEX Frankfurt 2025, taking place from May 20 to 22. The 2025 edition of the show is set to bring the needs of today’s event professionals into sharp focus.
Rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the drive for sustainability are all set to shape the world this year with the resulting impact felt across the business events industry.
Through a series of improvements across customer service, event design and the education offering, IMEX Frankfurt has been reimagined to ensure event professionals have new skills, knowledge and contacts to respond to both global and regional changes.
One constant remains: delivering business value sits at the heart of the show, with IMEX continuing to invest in a new and dedicated customer service team and technology to ensure a friction-free and time efficient experience from start to finish.
The show brings buyers face-to-face with a broad range of international suppliers, and is designed to make meeting new destinations, new venues and new partners both straightforward and fun.
Impact-driven
The driving force behind much of the show’s experiential content is the new Talking Point for 2025: Impact 2.0 – Activating the Future. This has been developed to address the current global climate and with a firm focus on taking positive action and using events to make real, lasting change happen.
A dedicated education track, plus many of the show’s activations, have all been designed to galvanise event professionals into taking positive action. Impact is one of nine learning tracks forming part of a revamped education program of 150+ sessions.
This includes new – and very current – areas of focus such as Design Matters as well as Leadership and Culture (where the speakers are shining examples of extreme leadership – expect more details soon). All learning tracks focus on sharing insights that are meaningful, applicable, ROI-driven and often surprising.
“Live experiences hold significant currency in 2025. When everything can be clicked, streamed or viewed online, it’s the real-life moments that many people crave. IRL (in real life) experiences are not only an important way to establish trust and nourish our need for social connection, but they enable us to immerse ourselves in a community of common interests,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group.
“The latest iteration of our show has been shaped by our fundamental human needs and will help event professionals to deliver more positive business impact, build powerful global relationships and – let’s not forget – have fun!”
Registration for the event is now open. IMEX Frankfurt takes place at Messe Frankfurt from May 20 to 22, 2025. More details about the show’s learning programme, including dedicated education for association and corporate planners, can be found at IMEX Frankfurt.
Immigration at Beijing Daxing International Airport
China’s inbound corporate travel market is showing strong recovery, largely thanks to the Chinese government’s recent visa-exemption policies, which have made it easier for corporate travellers to enter the country.
Calvin Xie, general manager Greater China, FCM Travel, observed that “more companies are considering China as a MICE destination thanks to the (30-day) visa-exemption policy, which now covers 38 countries (such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan) since 2024”.
Immigration at Beijing Daxing International Airport
Flight Centre Travel Group has chosen to hold its ANZ leadership conference in Shanghai in October 2024. It flew 170 senior leaders from Australia and New Zealand into the city.
In addition to the visa exemption policy for 38 countries, the Chinese government also rolled out a 240-hour visa-free transit policy that covers 54 countries – such as Canada and UK – since December 2024.
Jonathan Kao, managing director North Asia, BCD Travel, agreed there has been a “notable resurgence in business-related travel”.
He said: “The extended visa-free arrangements and simplified application procedures, though not specifically tailored for corporate travel, are extremely beneficial for business travellers.”
As last-minute business trips are “quite common”, simplified visa processes and visa-free policies mean employees can easily arrange trips to China without the previous “complex and time-consuming” procedures, Kao noted.
BCD Travel has seen an uptick in enquiries and bookings to major economic hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, while Japan and South Korea are significant Asian sources of inbound corporate travel to China. From Europe, Germany and the UK are key markets. German companies, especially those in the automotive and industrial machinery sectors, as well as UK-based financial institutions and technology firms, contribute substantially to corporate travel volume.
At FCM Travel, high-technology and financial sectors do well, Xie pointed out.
Martin Go, growth manager, TruTrip, has seen an uptick in business travel from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand to China, with travellers representing various sectors such as semiconductor, professional services, insurtech, and distribution and engineering.
Xie said the overseas expansion of Chinese companies is driving stronger outbound corporate travel from China than inbound.
“However, as inbound leisure travel keeps stimulating the economic recovery of China, it will potentially drive up corporate travel volume into China at a later stage in 2025,” he added.
TMC representatives say business travel to China comes with its challenges.
Xie opined that the relatively high cost of travel within China’s major Tier One cities, as compared to South-east Asia, persistent cultural and language differences, and varying payment systems continue to create obstacles for international business travellers.
Kao warned of “tough competition” from other destinations around the world.
“Countries like Singapore, Vietnam, and some European cities also offer attractive business environments, with their own set of incentives and advantages. China needs to continuously highlight its unique selling points, such as its large domestic market, advanced technological capabilities, and rich talent pool, to differentiate itself from competitors,” he elaborated.
From left: PCMA's Florence Chua; and BEIA's Lisa Hopkins
PCMA and Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) have signed a two-year strategic alliance, further strengthening the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s collaboration for driving social and economic progress through business events.
The alliance covers cross-promotion of educational events and benefits to grow brand presence and event participation. PCMA and BEIA will also collaborate on research allowing for greater knowledge of the scale and value of business events throughout the APAC region.
From left: PCMA’s Florence Chua; and BEIA’s Lisa Hopkins
“PCMA remains focused and committed to the advancement of the global business events industry, and the professional development and connectivity of those throughout the APAC community,” says Florence Chua, PCMA’s managing director, APAC. “This important alliance provides a platform for collective growth – to deliver the knowledge, resources, and networks essential for growth and collaboration in the region.”
BEIA’s chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, pointed out the agreement with PCMA signals major benefits for BEIA members and the wider industry.
“BEIA members will now have access to PCMA’s exceptional education content and resources to foster their development. This will include working together to develop education sessions at each of the PCMA APAC and BEIA conferences. We will also collaborate for PCMA Convening Leaders, and offer free educational webinars for BEIA members,” Hopkins elaborated.
PCMA will participate in MEETINGS 2025 in Auckland. Come 2026, MEETINGS will expand its education focus with PCMA’s involvement.
PCMA and BEIA will also look to form a PCMA x BEIA Circle to curate New Zealand-based corporate event organisers into an exclusive micro-community for peer-sharing experiences.
AI and sustainability will shape how events are planned, executed, and perceived
The global business events industry is being driven by AI and an unwavering focus on sustainability, say speakers on The Future of MICE: Key Trends to Watch webinar last Thursday.
Naina Vishnoi, senior regional sales director at Cvent, projected a robust future for the sector, anticipating that the global business events market will reach US$1.9 trillion by 2028. This growth will be intrinsically linked to technological advancements, and in particular, AI.
AI and sustainability will shape how events are planned, executed, and perceived
“Recent insights from Cvent’s largest planner sourcing report indicate that 86 per cent of planners anticipate increased use of AI tools during the venue sourcing process,” she elaborated.
Vishnoi shared that Cvent has been actively investing in AI, with a dedicated team of 200 people, and the launch of over 20 new AI innovations on its platform to date. These AI innovations range from fresh content creation and data analysis, to smarter scheduling and venue search, all of which aim to alleviate time-consuming administrative tasks to “make planners’ life easier”, and free them up for other tasks.
She also touched on how sustainability is an “essential criterion for success and longevity” in the events industry, as it is “a crucial measure that planners consider when deciding whether to submit RFPs to a venue over others”.
Hotels can contribute to the sustainability movement by implementing energy efficient technologies, recycling programmes, sourcing locally, obtaining green certifications, and listing themselves as being sustainable on the Cvent network, Vishnoi noted.
Fellow speaker, Pavnesh Kumar, director of project management, PATA, acknowledged the value of AI usage in the business events industry, but emphasised the need for planner to “understand attendee behaviour”.
“We can automate certain things, we can streamline the processes. We can make it possible that the user has the least amount of friction or resistance with the ability to utilise the maximum that a venue has to offer, whether it’s about having AI enabled translation tools or summary tools or navigation tools – everything should work towards one goal, which is to elevate (a delegate’s) experience,” he elaborated.
Kumar also encouraged planners to continuously measure and report sustainability efforts, as it is essential for optimising resource usage and achieving sustainability goals.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2025 has concluded with resounding success, where the event is projected to inject a massive A$400 million (US$252 million) into the Asia Pacific business events industry within the next year.
An independent analysis following the event revealed that this figure marks a substantial 21 per cent increase compared to the business generated at AIME 2024.
AIME 2025 showfloor
Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from February 10-12, AIME 2025 saw participation from over 675 exhibiting organisations, 640 hosted buyers, and more than 4,500 attendees from around the world.
The stellar performance of AIME 2025, the largest iteration ever managed by Talk2 Media & Events on behalf of the Melbourne Convention Bureau since 2019, has secured the company’s continued management of the event through to AIME 2028.
Event director Silke Calder shared that looking ahead, demand for AIME 2026 was “already strong”.
“Exhibitors and buyers continue to see the unparalleled opportunities for business development, networking and learning that AIME provides. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to shape the future of business events in the Asia Pacific region in the years ahead.”
AIME 2026 is scheduled to take place once again at the MCEC from February 9-11, 2026.
The new conferencing and events menu at The Calile Hotel promises a fresh, flavourful, and sustainably conscious dining experience
The Calile Hotel in Queensland, Australia, is raising the bar for conferencing and event dining with the launch of a new menu crafted by executive chef Mark Godbeer.
Continuing his philosophy of celebrating local produce and time-honoured techniques, the menu emphasises seasonal flavours and sustainable practices, deeply connected to the hotel’s own rooftop kitchen-garden and apiary.
The new conferencing and events menu at The Calile Hotel promises a fresh, flavourful, and sustainably conscious dining experience
New additions like tamarind-glazed beef short rib with rooftop herbs and coconut vinegar offer exciting flavours, while popular dishes such as lamb shoulder with yogurt, harissa, spring pea, and mint will see seasonal adaptations to ensure the freshest ingredients are always featured.
Godbeer explained: “Our new menu leans heavily on fresh and flavourful, we only seek that which is local and in season. This menu is designed to incorporate as many of the rooftop garden ingredients on the plate – which means bearing in mind the capacity of natural production and utilising techniques which are designed to bring all the natural flavours to the forefront.
“Having developed and run sustainable kitchens has allowed me to fill my repertoire with out-of-the-ordinary recipes and techniques to extract or emphasise all the parts of all our ingredients.
A long-time advocate for local and small-batch producers, Godbeer has built the menu around the rooftop harvests and a strong network of trusted Queensland growers committed to sustainability.
“Almost all our suppliers are local, or locally sourced. We will keep within the Queensland borders as much as possible, where it makes sense,” he said.
Funding and sponsorship has waned over the years resulting in its closure
Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) has announced it will cease operations after entering voluntary administration on March 27, 2025.
The news, originally reported by Australian industry media, marks a significant moment for the industry as MEA was set to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The annual MEA National Conference that was to be held in June 2025 in Sydney has also been cancelled.
Funding and sponsorship has waned over the years resulting in its closure
MEA chair Vanessa Green stated that MEA has been unable to secure the necessary cash sponsorship to maintain its activities.
Historically, MEA relied on the generous support of sponsors and government partners to keep membership accessible. However, in recent years, funding and sponsorship from state and federal government agencies and bureaus have been withdrawn.
Simultaneously, MEA’s core base of small to medium-sized enterprises, and corporate members, have faced tighter financial margins, making it difficult for them to bridge the funding gap.
Green also highlighted that MEA’s financial struggles reflect broader challenges within the events sector, including rising operational costs and reduced external support.
The emergence of new industry bodies, such as the Australian Business Events Association, has also contributed to a redirection of funding from traditional supporters, including convention centres and government agencies.
Despite its impending closure, Green emphasised the legacy of MEA over the past 50 years, where the organisation has helped shape the careers of many professionals, delivered nationally-recognised education, and championed excellence through mentoring programmes, awards, and industry events.
Tanya Popeau has joined PCMA as head of global sustainability.
Popeau joins PCMA after 10 years of collaborating with global corporations, non-profits, and government agencies, including the United Nations, to develop and implement sustainable and innovative solutions.
In this role, Popeau will work to evolve PCMA’s global sustainability strategy, manage strategic partnerships, lead the Convene4Climate initiative and develop a comprehensive sustainability course for the global business events community.
Kai Tak Sports Park is poised to be the premier destination for major international entertainment, culture and sports events in Hong Kong
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel loyalty programme, has agreed to a multi-year agreement with Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP).
As the exclusive Founding Hotel Partner, Marriott Bonvoy will be collaborating with KTSP to promote the development of sports, culture and tourism in Hong Kong, helping to showcase the city’s world-class sports, culture and entertainment events to a global audience.
Kai Tak Sports Park is poised to be the premier destination for major international entertainment, culture and sports events in Hong Kong
“We are excited to partner with Kai Tak Sports Park to offer guests and members once-in-a-lifetime experiences in Hong Kong’s latest hub for culture, entertainment and sports,” said Betty Tian, managing vice president, customer, Greater China, Marriott International.
“Marriott Bonvoy strives to inspire how people want to live their lives and travel. We look forward to working with KTSP to support Hong Kong’s vibrant events scene, and amplify its success on the world stage,” she added.
With this partnership, members and guests can now discover an array of immersive and inspiring experiences in the city through the Marriott Bonvoy Moment platform.
Convention centres are constantly evolving to meet the dynamic demands of the events industry.
From integrating cutting-edge technology and prioritising accessibility to embracing sustainable practices and creation of loyalty programmes, these venues throughout Asia-Pacific constantly invest in infrastructure upgrades and programmes to deliver exceptional experiences.
The Trinity Room can host up to 500 people
Cairns Convention Centre, Australia
The Cairns Convention Centre reopened in 2023 after a A$176 million (US$116 million) expansion, equipped with the latest technology and amenities.
Janet Hamilton, general manager of the venue, said: “The state-of-the-art Meyer Audio System in the Auditorium and Trinity Room provides high-end room coverage, ensuring every word and note is heard with crystal clarity, no matter where you are seated. These upgrades, part of the Centre’s expansion, were essential to provide clients with superior audio quality, ultimately enhancing the overall event experience.”
She added: “Our audiovisual team has been utilising a new software programme, Vectorworks Spotlight, which creates 3D views of clients’ floor plans. This tool helps visualise event setups by generating detailed and accurate designs of stages, lighting, and more, enabling our team to present realistic visualisations of the clients designs. This aids in effectively communicating ideas and streamlining the approval and sign-off process.”
Cairns Convention Centre also prioritises accessibility and inclusion. sAll seating areas and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible, and dedicated wheelchair spaces are available. A Changing Place facility is located on the Mezzanine Level, and Braille signage is present throughout the venue. The venue also supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme, enabling patrons to discreetly indicate their need for assistance.
Noticing the growing emphasis on sustainability and legacy integration, the venue has partnered with Reforest to offer clients a carbon removal and nature repair programme. This platform calculates an event’s carbon footprint, helps offset it, and shares the story of the locally planted trees in the Cairns region. This initiative supports wildlife protection efforts – including the tree kangaroo in the Mabi Rainforest – allowing clients to host eco-friendly conferences effortlessly.
The Cairns Convention Centre is gearing up for “an exciting year in 2025”, with a full calendar of events including the Congress of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (April 9-12); and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Scientific Meeting (May 2-6). – Rachel AJ Lee
Devcon 7 at QSNCC
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Thailand
The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) offers a thoroughly modern experience, thanks to its extensive 2022 revitalisation.
“(Since then), QSNCC has continued to build up its credentials on its capacity to accommodate events of all kinds and all scales,” shared Surapol Utintu, CEO of N.C.C. Management and Development, QSNCC’s operator.
In 2024, QSNCC launched an innovative loyalty programme for event organisers, a first for the industry. The Loyalty Program – which has already been engaged at several events such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo Asia 2024 – enables members to track their spending in real time and instantly redeem points earned, without limits, for benefits such as rooms at partnering hotels, digital media, and gift vouchers for services and restaurants at the convention centre.
“The implementation of the Loyalty Program helps us create a more rewarding customer experience. This sets us apart and will lead to enhanced customer satisfaction, enriching our relationship with all our existing customers and attracting new ones,” added Surapol.
The centre’s achievements include winning the bid to host the inaugural Money 20/20 Asia show for three consecutive years from 2024 to 2026, and hosting Devcon 7: Southeast Asia 2024, which spanned three floors of the convention centre and drew over 12,500 participants.
Beyond business events, QSNCC is diversifying as an entertainment hub, exemplified by the Billkin & PP Krit Double Trouble Concert, which welcomed more than 40,000 fans over two nights and showcased the venue’s state-of-the-art lighting system, sound capabilities, and new stage design.
“As the largest concert in the venue’s history, this event truly demonstrated our versatility as more than just a convention centre for MICE events,” said Surapol.
QSNCC has also reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability with initiatives such as partnering with petroleum and energy conglomerate Bangchak Corporation in its Fry to Fly and No Refry campaigns to convert used cooking oil into sustainable aviation fuel. – Anne Somanas
Tokyo Big Sight
Tokyo Big Sight, Japan
The largest international exhibition centre in Japan, this facility on the Tokyo Bay waterfront has a total exhibition area of 115,420m2, comprising 16 halls and 24 conference rooms that together hold approximately 300 events every year.
In 2025, Tokyo Big Sight is continuing hardware upgrades to increase sustainability and safety and to better meet the needs of meetings and users.
“In terms of venue management, we are updating ageing core facilities and improving their functions through the large-scale renovation of facilities that began in December 2023,” said Nobuhiro Maeda, president and CEO of Tokyo Big Sight.
“In the International Conference Hall and Reception Hall, which reopened last year, we have reinforced the earthquake resistance of ceilings and completely refurbished carpets, and are also renovating restroom interiors and switching to LED lighting.”
To carry out the work, Tokyo Big Sight plans to partially close the West Exhibition Hall from January to June, and East Exhibition Halls 1-3 from July.
Maeda is expecting growth in events at the facility this year, noting that “2025 will see a re-evaluation of the significance and value of face-to-face gatherings”, with greater demand for in-person meetings and the exhibition of physical products – although he expects there will still be hybrid events due to their popularity in recent years.
This year, Tokyo Big Sight will host the 15th Education Expo Japan (April 23-25); the 23rd Health Food Exposition & Conference (May 21-23); and the Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition 2025 (June 18-20). – Kathryn Wortley
The inaugural Super Terminal Expo in October 2024
AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong
A recent US$128 million investment has transformed AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) into a cutting-edge venue, incorporating advanced digital innovations and smart venue standards.
Among the key improvements is a new 24/7 online service ordering system, empowering organisers, exhibitors, and contractors to conveniently place and manage service orders from their mobile devices, anytime and anywhere. This digital upgrade streamlines communication, boosts operational efficiency, and reinforces AWE’s commitment to sustainability.
Additionally, smart rubbish bins equipped with sensors for weight, odour, and fill level significantly elevate its waste management capabilities, whereas the new Smart Vehicular Management system streamlines vehicle access, enhances security, and simplifies communication, ensuring smooth logistics at events.
Recognising the needs of visitors from South-east Asia, and the Middle East, AWE now offers dedicated prayer rooms and an expanded selection of certified Halal food and beverage options.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, AWE anticipates a surge in both exhibitors and visitors, particularly in the aviation and technology sectors.
Four concurrent Tech Expos are making their foray into Hong Kong: Build4Asia 2025 (Building, Electrical Engineering and Security Industries) from March 15-17; along with The Battery Show Asia, Mobility Tech Asia, and the brand-new Data Center Asia. The latter three are all holding their first Asian edition in Hong Kong from July 15-17.
Other notable events include the Asian debut of Connect Marketplace (March 19-21) and the return of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry’s (UFI) 92nd Global Congress to the Asia-Pacific region since 2019, taking place at AWE from November 19-22.
Looking ahead, AWE is poised to benefit from the expansion of Airport City (now Skytopia), particularly through the upcoming Phase 2 development.
Slated to open in 2028, this phase will feature a 20,000-seat arena, the city’s largest indoor multipurpose performance space, and expand AWE’s convention and exhibition space from 70,000m2 to 100,000m2. – Prudence Lui
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
