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Hosted buyer program

Join the IMEX hosted buyer program

Be our guest at IMEX Frankfurt. You'll enjoy everything IMEX has to offer plus free travel and accommodations, exclusive social opportunities and VIP treatment.

Could I be a hosted buyer?
 

If you regularly plan or commission international events or incentive travel programs—and you're coming to IMEX with business in mind, you can apply to join our hosted buyer program. Our uniquely flexible hosted buyer program is designed for event professionals just like you.

Already confirmed as a hosted buyer? Check out our hosted buyer guides and help pages.

What you'll receive as a hosted buyer

Free travel and accommodations

Free travel and accommodations

As a hosted buyer, you'll enjoy:
  • Free flights
  • Free accommodations
  • The knowledge that we're taking care of the details
  • Attendance is free too of course—and there are no cancelation fees or fines
Flexible meeting scheduling

Flexible meeting scheduling

IMEX offers the most flexible hosted buyer program in the world. You're in control of your meetings. Meet with:
  • Exhibitors from hotel groups, event tech providers, convention bureaus
  • Airline and travel providers
  • Event management agencies
Free professional development

Free professional development

From education tailored to your specialism at:
  • Association Focus, Executive Meeting Forum and Exclusively Corporate
  • To expert insight at drop-in education throughout the show
Exclusive lounge access

Exclusive lounge access

Exclusively for hosted buyers, our Hosted Buyer Lounge is designed to help you:
  • Recharge, relax and refresh
  • Catch up with calls and with fellow hosted buyers, and to meet our friendly Hosted Buyer Team—there to answer any questions you have

What we ask in return

As a hosted buyer you have flexibility, but you must commit to pre-scheduling meetings with our exhibitors. We recommend at least six to eight daily. These should be mainly one-to-one meetings but can include group appointments and booth presentations. We also ask that you don’t leave the show early, but stay for each full day of your hosted program.

About meetings

We regularly check that buyers are making and attending their meetings (on average IMEX buyers plan 16-plus meetings during their time at the show).

12,000
total participants in 2024
63,000
PRE-ORGANIZED MEETINGS in 2024
4,200
total buyers in 2024
12,000
total participants in 2024
63,000
PRE-ORGANIZED MEETINGS in 2024
4,200
total buyers in 2024

How can I be a hosted buyer?

Applying to be a hosted buyer

Around 300 of our exhibitors invite their key clients to come to IMEX as hosted buyers (we call these exhibitors "intermediaries"). So, if you receive an invitation from an intermediary, and you’d like to be a hosted buyer:

  • Follow the link the intermediary has sent you

  • Create your IMEX account

  • Use the hosted buyer invitation code to join their hosted buyer group

If you prefer you can also register with us direct.

Hosted buyer qualifying criteria

All hosted buyers must: 

  • Be responsible for researching, organizing, influencing or making budgetary decisions for international events (outside their home country)
  • Have three confirmed or planned events taking place in the next three years
  • Be coming to the show with purchasing power
  • Be at the show for the duration of their hosted buyer program
  • Book meetings with exhibitors using our online system

Hosted buyer meetings

All buyers commit to setting up six to eight 30-minute meetings per day direct with exhibitors using our Exhibitor Directory and online meeting system.

Coming to IMEX from a corporate organization?

If you need to justify attending IMEX to your manager, our Convince your Boss Toolkit helps build the case. Please check back in 2025 for links to:

  • Convince your boss email
  • IMEX Frankfurt expenses
  • Benefits of attending IMEX Frankfurt
  • Letter to compliance department
Definition of a meeting
A 30-minute meeting with an exhibitor booked by you, the buyer.

We also make appointments for groups of buyers to attend exhibitor presentations, and some exhibitors offer presentations at certain times that you can book in to. See these as your opportunity to explore new ideas and destinations.

63,000 meetings were held at IMEX 2024, they are the lifeblood of our show.
Meetings for hosted buyers
Hosted buyers are in charge of their schedule at IMEX, but must commit to holding meetings with our exhibitors. We recommend a minimum of six to eight daily. These should be mainly one-to-one meetings but can include group appointments and booth presentations.
How meetings are set up
And who can make them?

All buyers can set up meetings, whether you are a hosted buyer or a visitor buyer.

Around four weeks before the show, and once you’ve received your welcome email, you’ll be able to log in, search our exhibitor directory and book meetings directly with exhibitors.
Any questions? Check our FAQs page and help pages for more info.
 
Alan Ford
Alan Ford
Operations Manager, Hosted Buyer Program
Maria Gaillez
Maria Gaillez
Relationship Manager
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