Record Numbers, Rising Worries at IMEX Frankfurt 2025

The geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration dominated the conversations in Imex Frankfurt 2025, emerging as a key concern both in educational sessions and in informal discussions on the exhibition floor.

Despite the backdrop, the event was involved on Thursday with a strong presentation: 13,000 attendees and more than 4,000 buyers participated in 67,000 meetings previously scheduled about three days of figures that CEO Carina Bauer said they coincided with the pre-pondemic levels. The organizers said the show was the largest in terms of space on the exhibitor’s floor.

Even so, instability has meetings that affect the legs. The latest CVven’s global supply data show a loss of around 5% of room nights in Europe to date.

One Education Session Specifically AddresSed The First 100 Days of the Trump Administration and Dispelled Sub of the Miskoncepsions About Welcoming Business Travelers to the us the session featured kevin hinton, managing director, Group Travel of the uscation, destination and elliot, destroy Elliot, DEST AND ELLIOTTT, DEST AND EELLIOT, DEST AND EELLIOT, DEST AND EELLIOT, DEST AND EELLIOT, DEST AND EELLIOCITITION, WHICH WAS RECENTLY OF ITS ROLE IN THE PRESIDENT OF THE USA.

A joint study by the Hague and Partners Convention Office and the European Association Society of the Association revealed excessive executives of Conern Conn and non -profit, with 28% saying that they had already relocated their events in more or more to more than more to more than you spials a more. What they consider the thesis.

An industry that depends on political support

Programming at Imex Policy Forum, which connects government officials with industry leaders, mostly avoided the problem. But many talked about the need for industry leaders with Mintain’s ties with political leaders and was shown in advertisements of several destinations in Imex Frankfurt 2025.

The Vice Mayor of Business and the Growth of London, Howard Dawber, participated in the forum and joined the London Convention Office in the show to describe the 10 -year economy growth plan of the city and highlight 10 main international congresses scheduled for 2026, projected to generate $ 337 million (£ 250 million).

A delegation of political leaders at the state level of Maharashtra, India, also separates in the forum. On Wednesday, the official launched the Maharashtra convention office with emphasis on promotion, the capacity of the Jio World Convention Center of one million square feet and built in 2022 to the global market

The Minister of Business, Tourism and Employment of Ireland, Peter Burke, who separated in the forum three years ago, was also in the place to launch the 2030 commercial events strategy, which is aimed at 8% annual income growth up to 2030 for a sector of sectoral herbs).

The Luxembourg Tourism Delegate, Eric Thill, was also present to announce Bettina Bunge as the agencies of the Luxembourg New CEO convention while revealed a new brand identity.

ICCA classifications reveal a changing competitive landscape

For many destinations, ICCA remains a key way to demonstrate the success of marketing activity for political leaders or any other person who makes budgetary decisions. This year he saw Vienna’s return to the top of the city’s classification, with Lisbon in a second place.

The United States led the country’s ranking, with Italy maintaining its second place. ICCA expanded its analysis and included alternative municipal classifications where Dubai led the cities in average participants of events and Barcelona exceeded the generation of direct revenues with an estimated total direct economic performance.

Associations strengthen industry cohesion

Two organizations that represent the global industry, one based in the USA and one based in the EU, announced a refreshing association. The Event Industry Council (EIC) and the Council of the Joint Meeting Industry (JMIC) agreed to coordinate efforts on sustainability, defense and research. The collaboration offers a welcome respite to the polarized political climate, even if it is for a long time.

New research highlights industry challenges

With diversity and sustainability taking the worst part of the first initiatives of the Trump administration, Imex Frankfurt 2025 saw the announcement of research and resources that offered ideas for destinations and associations.

The Global Destination Sustainability Movement and the European Travel Commission published “a destination guide for new EU sustainability regulations”, offering practical guidance on sustainability reports and environmental claims.

Amid the political pressures of the United States, Destination Canada published findings of his year of his Legacy & Impact study, focusing on identifying the key inherited drivers for commercial events, the success prior to the event and the categories of results to measure the impact.

Finally, a new study on events revealed a significant disconnection between the declared objectives and the selection criteria. The analysis of 115 Financing Financing Programs for Destination for Conferli, #Meet4impact and the Global Destination Sustainability Movement revealed that 91% of the destinations claim to prioritize the positive impact, but only the criteria include the decision.