IMEX Frankfurt is a must-attend trade show for the Glasgow Convention Bureau. The popular Scotland stand, managed by VisitScotland’s Business Events team, gives partners much-needed visibility and the opportunity to meet with high-value conference organisers.
The 2025 edition of IMEX Frankfurt had record attendance, welcoming over 13,000 event professionals and 4,000 hosted buyers – a sign of the continued value and development opportunities delegates get from attending the trade show.
Across the three days, there was a high footfall on the Scotland stand, with Team Scotland conducting more than 250 one-to-one meetings and welcoming over 350 visitors. For 2025, the Scottish partners exhibited on the Scotland stand were:
Aberdeen Convention Bureau, Cameron House, Convention Edinburgh, EICC, Glasgow Convention Bureau, Horizons by TPG, P&J Live, Scottish Event Campus, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh, and Spectra.
Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism & Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau said: “IMEX Frankfurt is a must-attend trade show for the Glasgow Convention Bureau. The popular Scotland stand, managed by VisitScotland’s Business Events team, gives partners much-needed visibility and the opportunity to meet with high-value conference organisers.”
“It’s a key platform for Glasgow to showcase the city’s strengths as a world-class conference destination, build relationships, and secure future business.”
“The support VisitScotland provides is invaluable and ensures Scottish partners are well-positioned to compete on a global stage.”
The Business Events team engaged with industry professionals by hosting presentations for business event organisers and strategists, participating in networking events during the show and in the evenings, contributing to thought leader panels on attracting and retaining future talent in the sector.
Presenting Team Scotland
The Business Events team engaged with industry professionals by hosting presentations for business event organisers and strategists, participating in networking events during the show and in the evenings, contributing to thought leader panels on attracting and retaining future talent in the sector, and hosting a lively ceilidh at the Scotland stand.
David Gerrard, Events Graduate at VisitScotland joined an education panel titled “Future-proofing business events by attracting and retaining talent.” During this session he shared his insights on how the industry can better engage with young professionals, career changers, and students from non-traditional degrees.
Our Director of Marketing & Digital, Jill Walker and Head of Business Events, Neil Brownlee attended the IMEX Policy Forum, which explores the outcomes and legacy of business events and how the sector can be a catalyst for economic and social progress.
Rory Archibald, Senior Business Events Manager at VisitScotland also spoke at VisitBritain’s Association Event, sharing Scotland’s commitment to sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as showcasing our sectoral and community strengths to North American buyers.
Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events, VisitScotland said: “I’ve been every year since 2010, but IMEX Frankfurt still needs to be seen to be believed. It is hard to get across the sheer scale and quality of this show which caters solely for the Business Events market.”
“Our Marketing and Digital Director, Jill Walker, attended for the first time and was warmly welcomed to the global MICE community – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events – with introductions to other destinations such as Business Events Canada, Singapore, Sydney, Netherlands, Germany and Ireland.”
“The remarkable relationships and personal closeness of this business events community were clear, as they shared approaches, challenges, perspectives and quite a few laughs with disarming candour.”
