Join us at IMEX Frankfurt 2027 from May 11-13 in Frankfurt, Germany, for the largest trade show in Europe focused on meetings and events.
Dates
11–13 May 2027
City / country
Frankfurt, Germany
Venue
Messe Frankfurt
Time
9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on May 11 and 12, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM on May 13
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
IMEX Frankfurt is where the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry comes together annually for the largest trade show of its kind in Europe.
The event will take place from May 11 to May 13, 2027, at Messe Frankfurt, featuring a day of specialist education on May 10.
Attendees can expect to connect with thousands of suppliers and buyers, gaining insights and inspiration from industry experts.
TL;DR
Visitors to IMEX Frankfurt will benefit from networking opportunities with industry leaders, access to educational sessions, and the chance to meet with suppliers from around the world. The event is designed to enhance professional development and foster meaningful connections. Event dates: May 11-13, 2027. Location: Messe Frankfurt, Germany. IMEX Frankfurt is where the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry comes together annually for the largest trade show.
Exhibitors at IMEX Frankfurt gain visibility among high-quality buyers, access to a buyer-led appointment system, and opportunities for sponsorship. Buyer Scale: More than 4,700 global decision makers attend, including buyers with significant event budgets. Audience Mix: Meeting planners, event agency heads, association executives, and incentive travel buyers make up the core visitor base. IMEX Frankfurt is crucial for the global meetings and events industry, providing a.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Messe Frankfurt, Ludwig-Erhard-Anlage 1, 60327 Frankfurt, Germany
Attend
Event days & opening times
How the last edition performed
Current edition
2027
Impact
IMEX Frankfurt is where the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry comes together annually for the largest trade show of its kind in Europe. The event will take place from May 11 to May 13, 2027, at Messe Frankfurt, featuring a day of specialist education on May 10. Attendees can expect to connect with thousands of suppliers and buyers, gaining insights and inspiration from industry experts. IMEX Frankfurt is crucial for.
Audience quality
Visitors typically include Meeting planners, Event agency heads, Association executives, Incentive travel buyers. Edition Dates: IMEX Frankfurt runs May 11-13, 2027, with a specialist education day on May 10, 2027. Venue and City: The show is held at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany. Buyer Scale: More than 4,700 global decision makers attend, including buyers with significant event budgets. Sector Focus: The exhibition covers incentive travel, meetings, events, and the wider business events supply chain.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors at IMEX Frankfurt gain visibility among high-quality buyers, access to a buyer-led appointment system, and opportunities for sponsorship. IMEX Frankfurt is crucial for the global meetings and events industry, providing a platform for networking, education, and collaboration. It brings together key stakeholders to discuss trends, innovations, and best practices, making it a pivotal event for industry growth. Exhibitor categories include National and regional convention bureaus, Hotel groups, Venues,.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attending IMEX - Incentive Travel, Meetings & Events on 2027-05-11 to 2027-05-13 in Frankfurt lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.
Sustainability in procurement
Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.
Automation and labour efficiency
Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.
Regional supply-chain resilience
Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.
Hybrid engagement models
Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.
Buyers covering food often plan IMEX - Incentive Travel, Meetings & Events alongside regional peer shows to compare products, pricing, and service coverage across markets.
Pre-show
Confirm exhibitor meetings and product demos for IMEX - Incentive Travel, Meetings & Events.
Show week
Hall walk-throughs, live demos, and supplier negotiations.
Peer events are widely known sector fairs; verify dates on each organiser website before booking.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Frankfurt Airport connects directly to regional rail for Messe Frankfurt.
to venue
15–25 min off-peak
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Premier Inn Messe, Motel One Messe, B&B Frankfurt-Messe — 5–8 min walk to Portalhaus halls; fair-week rates spike 2–3×.
source4-min S-Bahn to Messe station; strong dining and evening options; Roomers, Adina Westend nearby.
sourceMaritim Hotel Frankfurt opposite Torhaus entrance (~3 min walk); Melia Frankfurt City ~15 min walk.
sourceGet around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi
Frankfurt Airport connects directly to regional rail for Messe Frankfurt.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen C visa (business) | Third-country nationals travelling to Germany for business who are not visa-exempt; EU nationals and nationals of visa-waiver countries do not need a visa for short stays. | — | About 15 working days from receipt at the visa section, plus roughly two working days when applying via a VFS Global centre. |
EU nationals and nationals of visa-exempt countries do not require a visa for short business visits to Germany.
Official visa pageWeather
May in Frankfurt typically sees 12–20°C. Pleasant trade-fair season. Business casual with a light jacket.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Germany has strong mobile coverage in cities; hotel Wi-Fi is widely available but an independent mobile data plan or business eSIM with hotspot support helps protect time-critical work.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Registration
Confirm registration and venue access with the organiser before travelling to Frankfurt.
Arrival
Arrive early on the first show day for orientation and security screening.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: FRA
Book flights to FRA (Frankfurt) when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue.
Generally, third-country nationals need a visa to enter Germany for business. EU nationals and nationals of visa-exempt countries do not. A Schengen visa permits stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Schengen visa applications are processed within about 15 working days from arrival at the visa section; allow additional days when applying through a VFS Global centre.
Apply at the German mission or an authorised VFS Global centre in your country of residence.
OfficialFind a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: FRA to Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt: S8/S9 to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof then S-Bahn to Messe Frankfurt station (~25–35 min), or taxi ~20–30 min to Europaviertel.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Messe Frankfurt: Europaviertel / Gallus (near Messe); Bahnhofsviertel (Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof); Westend (Senckenberganlage / Messe Torhaus).
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Frankfurt; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: U4 to Festhalle/Messe; S-Bahn lines S3–S6 to Messe station; tram 16/17 along Mainzer Landstraße.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Messe Frankfurt; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May 2027
Temperature: 12–20°C
Seasonality: Pleasant trade-fair season.
Packing: May in Frankfurt typically sees 12–20°C. Pleasant trade-fair season. Business casual with a light jacket.
Plan your trip
Confirm passport validity and check German Schengen visa requirements if you are a non-EU national. — Schengen business visa applications are processed within about 15 working days, so start immediately if a visa is required for IMEX Frankfurt 2027.
Book flights to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the primary gateway to Messe Frankfurt. — Aim to arrive on May 10, 2027 if you plan to attend the specialist education day.
Reserve a hotel near Messe Frankfurt or Frankfurt city centre for May 10-13, 2027. — Confirm cancellation terms and proximity to S-Bahn or U-Bahn links to the venue.
Complete online registration and badge application for IMEX Frankfurt 2027. — Register via the official IMEX Frankfurt registration page to receive your badge confirmation.
Download the IMEX Frankfurt hall plan and programme, and shortlist education sessions. — Build a day-by-day session and exhibitor plan covering May 11-13, 2027.
Pre-schedule B2B meetings with exhibitors and buyers ahead of the show. — Contact target exhibitors in advance to lock in meeting slots at their stands.
Plan local transport from your hotel and the airport to Messe Frankfurt. — Compare S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and taxi options and buy any transit tickets in advance.
Finalise visa appointment, travel insurance, and supporting documents. — Carry a printed invitation or registration confirmation for visa and border checks.
Prepare business cards, meeting materials, and a shortlist of exhibitors to visit. — Pack spare chargers and a notepad for back-to-back meetings on the show floor.
Check the mid-May forecast for Frankfurt and pack layered business attire. — Bring a light waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for long days at Messe Frankfurt.
Confirm airport transfer and hotel check-in for May 10 if attending the education day. — Allow buffer time for immigration and baggage on arrival in Frankfurt.
Arrive in Frankfurt, collect your badge at Messe Frankfurt, and confirm your Day 1 schedule. — Doors open at 9:30am on May 11, 2027; arrive early for orientation and security screening.
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Event technology solutions solutions and benchmarking suppliers at IMEX - Incentive Travel, Meetings & Events in Frankfurt.
Min. budget
$350.00
Timeline
4–8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change — confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Event technology solutions products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3–6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall — confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Frankfurt show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Trust footer
8
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
Regent Exhibitions Ltd.
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