Collaboration, creativity together with lashings of live music hit the high notes at EduMonday, IMEX in Frankfurt

“Five years ago, the discussion was whether digital events would completely replace live, in person events. What we see now is that in-person events are more important than ever,” said Bob Bejan, GM of Global Events at Microsoft and speaker at Exclusively Corporate at EduMonday. Bejan explained how the “connection between people, the exchange of information” lies at the heart of meetings and events. 

Speakers from the International Olympic Committee, Barclays, Cisco, Microsoft and KPMG representing some of the world’s biggest, pioneering companies shared their approach to events at Exclusively Corporate. The dedicated learning and networking event for corporate event directors and planners was held at the Grandhotel Hessischer Hof.

‘The human spark’

Nicola Wedge, Head of Events at Barclays, defined creativity as “the human spark that gives meaning to life,” urging planners to give their attendees “what they don’t know they want.”

Her advice was well received by the audience. Dana Weaver, CIS, Senior Manager of Marketing Services, Growmark, said “Coming to IMEX and Exclusively Corporate serves as a reminder to think out of the box and be creative.” Yasmin Rachid, International Renal Society Relations PV, Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH, Germany, added: “Attending IMEX is the only chance I get over one or two days to get creative ideas and be inspired. Instead of calling people on the phone, I get access to many people who provide inspiration and new ways of getting things done".

‘I found my tribe’

“I found my tribe and people who believe in the same things as I do” said Anne Kjaer Riechert, co-founder & managing director of ReDI School of Digital Integration. Anne was also keynote at She Means Business, created in partnership with tw tagungswirtschaft, where she explained the collaborative power behind her company, a tech school for refugees. She explained how collaboration, confidence and a huge dose of imagination – IMEX’s Talking Point for this year - helped her to build her successful and growing company. Anne was one of many inspiring speakers including executives from organisations including PWC, Deutsche Bank and Lufthansa HR Management, Eurometropole de Strasbourg and Rwanda Convention Bureau.

Imagination led the way in many of the education sessions running throughout EduMonday, a packed pre-show afternoon of learning before IMEX in in Frankfurt, opening tomorrow.

“We have all the knowledge we need, it’s new perspectives that are important,” explains Majbritt Sandberg, co-founder of the Red Lab Experience. The Red Lab Experience was a new feature with experts from outside the events sector, such as Sigurd Ringstad, business developer from game-based learning platform Kahoot

The power of music

An Imagination Zone was home to Painting Parties and a silent disco, while the music theme continued with a live guitar performance during The power of music. This interactive learning session explored how music can make an impact, spark the imagination and promote group cohesion – “Music is the holy grail of communication” summarised speaker Erwin Steijlen.

Senior association professionals welcomed the opportunity to meet their peers at Association Day, sponsored by Messe Frankfurt. Adrianna Trojak from the European Health Management Association, Brussels said “Today has been excellent, sharing experiences and meeting with many people in similar roles. The presentations have been great and the case studies inspired clear visions of what we could do.” ASAE, ICCA and MCI all collaborated with IMEX to create a topical and interactive programme, delivering three Learning Labs covering Leadership, Imagination and Knowledge. Laura Contessi, European Society of Organ Transplantation, Italy added “It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve learnt so much from both the presentations and the insights from the audience sharing their problems as well as their successes.”

Diversity, technology and management all topped the agenda at a buzzing Agency Directors Forum, taking place at the Schlosshotel Kronberg. “Today sparked many new ideas that I will be trying to implement - a real energiser for me,” enthused David Sand, CEO of Uwin Iwin Incentives.

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