Major Convention Center Developments Detailed at IMEX in Frankfurt

A 250,000-square-foot addition to ExCel London will be completed in 2024.

Updated June 8, 2022

IMEX in Frankfurt, held last week in Germany at Messe Frankfurt, was not only the largest gathering of the global meetings industry since 2019, but also the 20th anniversary edition of the long-running trade show.

A number of exhibitors used the three-day show to unveil large convention center developments. Among the new and expanding facilities:

Exhibition World Bahrain will debut in late 2022. The new venue will offer flexible and adaptable space to accommodate large conventions and exhibitions, meetings, entertainment, concerts and gala events. The facility will have nearly 1 million square feet of exhibition space in its 10 halls; a grand hall that can seat up to 4,000 attendees; 95 meeting rooms; 20 translation booths; and 25 restaurants, cafes and retail outlets.
China National Convention Center, Phase 2, known as CNCC-II, is slated to debut in 2024 in Beijing’s Olympic Green Area. The venue, which served as the media center for the 2022 Winter Olympics, will have 2.9 million square feet of meeting and event space on three levels. The facility will accommodate conferences, forums and banquets for up to 20,000 attendees, as well as exhibitions for more than 50,000 delegates. The center complex includes boutique retail outlets and two hotels.
London’s largest convention facility, ExCeL London, will welcome a 250,000-square-foot addition, which includes 130,000 square feet of exhibit space, 38 meeting rooms and outdoor event space. The expansion will be completed in 2024. In other news, ExCel is also now connected to the rest of the capital via the new Elizabeth Line, part of the London Underground rail system.
Thailand's Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok will reopen in September 2022 following a massive redevelopment project that will see the facility expand to five times its original size. The center will offer two exhibition halls, two large conference halls and 50 flexible meeting rooms, as well as retail space. QSNCC’s expansion is using environmentally friendly construction — 25 percent recycled products and 75 percent recyclable materials — and has received LEED Silver certification.

IMEX in Frankfurt Returns to Form

The IMEX in Frankfurt trade show attracted nearly 3,000 buyers — just shy of the 2019 numbers — and 2,300 exhibitors. The Los Cabos Tourism Board, the new Transcend Cruises and the Ethiopian Convention Bureau were among those companies exhibiting at the event for the first time.

By many accounts, business was good as planners once again look to book international events.

"It’s clearly been a great week for our global industry," said IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer. "The show was imbued with a sense of camaraderie and celebration, and it felt good to be back together in the same room — that’s the feeling our industry thrives on and is motivated by."

Bauer added that "all the indicators suggest that 2023 and 2024 are going to be very good years for our industry. However, we can’t deny the challenges of a new business reality — labor shortages, travel disruptions, supply-chain issues. But planners are resourceful, adaptable and determined by nature. They’ve learned a lot and I sense a strong determination to rebuild, but on new foundations. Equally, suppliers are doing their level best to flex and respond. The future looks bright."

A number of industry associations made announcements during the show. Among them:

ICCA officially launched the ICCASkills certification program, which offers two new industry designations: Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS), designed for convention industry employees aiming for their first management position; and Certified International Convention Executive (CICE), created for managers with at least three years' experience. The organization also committed to holding its annual conference in Warsaw this year.

SITE revealed two new research studies, one for program owners and one for participants, to be conducted this year.

Destinations International launched the Pathfinders Programme, designed "to elevate the collective voice of destination organizations in Europe, and better communicate the impact of their work in their communities."

The show's theme of nature was represented via Ocean, Canyon and Forest stages, on which more than 150 education sessions were offered during the three-day program. A "Central Park" area, with real grass, picnic tables and food trucks, added to the green landscape.

Sustainability continues to be embraced by IMEX and many of the event's exhibitors. Destination Canada launched a Business Events Sustainability plan, hoping to develop best practices they can share with other destinations.

Gala Dinner Awards Return

After being forced to cancel the event for the past three years, organizers finally had to opportunity to laud outstanding events professionals in person. Following are the 12 industry standouts who were honored during the IMEX in Frankfurt Gala Dinner Awards, held June 1:

Destinations International Global Ambassador Award: Adam Burke, president and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board
International Association of Exhibitions and Events International Excellence Award: Simon Wang, executive vice president, Taiwan External Trade Development Council
International Association of Professional Congress Organisers Innovation Award: Ok Hyojung, director, Ezpmp Korea
International Congress & Convention Association Global Influencer Award: Thomas Reiser, executive director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis and chair, ICCA Association Advisory Committee
Joint Meetings Industry Council Unity Award: Rod Cameron, president, Criterion Communications
Meeting Professionals International Foundation Student Scholarship Award: Panashe Mahakwa, Vistula University, Warsaw
Professional Convention Management Association Global Business Events Executive of the Year Award: Patrizia Buongiorno, vice president, AIM Goup International
Jane E. Schuldt Society for Incentive Travel Executives Master Motivator Award: Paul Miller, CIS, CITP, managing director, Spectra DMC
IMEX Events Industry Council Innovation in Sustainability Award: Bettina Reventlow-Mourier, deputy convention director, Copenhagen CVB
Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Award: Carlotta Ferrari, president, Destination Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau & Convention Bureau Italia; Barbara Jamison-Woods, head of Europe, Convention Bureau, London & Partners; Karen Bolinger, founder, Bolinger Consulting