Save the Date: IMEX Policy Forum 2025 – Shaping the Future of Place Leadership

City Destinations Alliance is proud to collaborate with leading global organisations for the IMEX Policy Forum 2025, a pivotal gathering of policymakers, business event leaders, and destination representatives. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany, and join key stakeholders in exploring how business events can serve as catalysts for economic growth, innovation, and destination competitiveness.

Why Attend?

Under the theme “The New Art of Place Leadership”, the forum will highlight how coordinated governance and strategic collaboration can drive civic engagement and foster thriving, competitive destinations. Business events professionals will gain invaluable insights into strengthening their influence and impact within the broader policy ecosystem.

Invited national, regional, and city policymakers will learn how business events can act as accelerators, connectors, and strategic tools to achieve their destination’s long-term objectives. Industry leaders will engage in forward-thinking discussions on evolving decision-making models, competitiveness, and the future of business events.

A Dynamic Programme

The IMEX Policy Forum 2025 will offer a unique mix of plenary discussions, roundtables, and high-level networking opportunities. Among the highlights:

National Government Discussion (By invitation only)
A dedicated session for national ministers of travel, tourism, and economic affairs, chaired by Martin Sirk, exploring the role of business events in national policy strategies.

City Workshop
A hands-on workshop for local and regional policymakers led by Professor Greg Clark CBE, a global urbanist and advisor, focusing on how destinations can leverage business events to create long-term legacies.

Plenary & Round Table Discussions
Industry leaders will debate and share insights on how events can influence policy, drive economic transformation, and secure a permanent seat at the decision-making table.

Networking & Reception
Engage with global stakeholders, exchange ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities at dedicated networking sessions.

A Must-Attend Event for Destination Leaders

This forum is a unique opportunity for policymakers, destination representatives, event organisers, and industry associations to discuss how business events can shape the future of cities. As Ray Bloom, Chairman of IMEX Group, emphasises:

“This important forum brings together our global industry with policymakers to share, debate, learn, and have insightful conversations about the strategic influence of events. Creating a positive impact is a crucial consideration for our industry – it’s our Talking Point for this year, so a discussion focused on ‘place leadership’ and the role of business events could not be timelier.”

Join the Conversation

Co-organised with City Destinations Alliance, AIPC, Destinations International, ICCA, German Convention Bureau, U.S. Travel Association, Events Industry Council, and JMIC, this forum is a key platform for shaping the future of business events and destination leadership.

Date: May 20, 2025
Location: Frankfurt Marriott Hotel, Germany
More information: IMEX Policy Forum

Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of place leadership and business events strategy. Secure your spot and be part of the conversation shaping the future of our destinations!