IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer
Updated May 6, 2020, 12:10 p.m. EDT. PlanetIMEX, the new virtual learning
and networking experience from the IMEX Group, has launched today. The event is based on the organizers’ "desire
to give back to the international business events, meetings and incentive
travel industry," following the cancellation of IMEX Frankfurt 2020.
PlanetIMEX is based around
three, 3D, interactive "islands." Online visitors will be granted unlimited
free access to a variety of content and activities on the beach-themed
Community Island; the forest-inspired Education Island, and the Networking
Island, which is outfitted with canyons, mountains and valleys. The purpose is for visitors
to explore, reconnect, talk future business and continue learning with friends
and peers from the global business events community. Community and Education islands are now live on the PlanetIMEX site; Networking Island will launch on May 14.
"We decided early on that we wanted to gift something back to the industry we
love while continuing our commitment to providing high quality education,
business and networking value," said IMEX Group CEO
Carina Bauer. "Rather than switch to a one-off online event… we
opted for innovation through transformation. Instinctively, we looked to our
Nature Talking Point for inspiration." (IMEX selects an annual talking point/theme for their two industry trade shows.)
Education
programming (known as EduMonday) starts on May 11 and will feature a keynote by Guy Bigwood,
managing director of the Global Destination Sustainability Index. All education content will reside on a platform designed and developed by Cvent.
The following day, May 12, is IMEX Community Day and will feature
content delivered by a range of IMEX Group's association and other partners. IMEX Introductions, scheduled for May 14,
will foster one-to-one conversations and encourage industry buyers and suppliers to explore new business
relationships.
On May 18, PlanetIMEX will provide content for specialists, aimed at specific buyer communities, identified as corporate, association and agency
directors.
IMEX Group intends to expand the offerings of PlanetIMEX
over the next several months. While access is free, registration is required for both
Education Island and IMEX Introductions.