IMEX in Frankfurt debuts first-ever mobile apps

Building upon its role as partner and education provider for IMEX America, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced that the mobile applications and mobile website developed for IMEX in Frankfurt, which opens on May 24th, are available for download and that the development for IMEX America’s app has begun.

“Although this idea has been on the table for some while, this year was exactly the right time to launch our app,” said Ray Bloom, IMEX group chairman. “We had the right partners in place in the shape of our IMEX America strategic partner, MPI, and their technology provider, QuickMobile. This is just one of a number of new technology developments we’ve put in place for IMEX in Frankfurt. What makes it all the more exciting is that they also combine to deliver an increased level of important information and business benefit for all attendees of IMEX America when that opens.”

MPI worked closely for a year with IMEX organizers to ensure that the 14,000 meeting and event professionals attending IMEX in Frankfurt will have a quality resource that delivers access to vital information on demand. The app is being sponsored by the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau.

“Meeting professionals are increasingly relying on their mobile devices to connect, do business and access information vital to their jobs,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI president and CEO. “Our strategic partnership is about making sure all attendees get the most value out of their experience and they’ve told us that mobile tools are essential for success. The mobile apps being debuted at IMEX in Frankfurt have been specifically designed for IMEX attendees and will continue to evolve according to user needs right up to IMEX America in Las Vegas.”

The IMEX apps for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry are available at their respective app stores and through the IMEX in Frankfurt website. The apps feature a comprehensive calendar of all events, access to a floor plan, a quick link to what’s happening immediately as well as a list of exhibitors and ways to connect to social media channels.

The new IMEX app also features several additional enhancements for hosted buyers only, including access to their personalized diaries. Together with the launch of free Wi-Fi for hosted buyers throughout the hall this year, sponsored by Destination Frankfurt Rhein-Main, this means all 3,800-plus buyers will have instant access to and control of their appointments at all times.

“It’s all too tempting, when developing an app, to get carried away with building-in features that have no discernible benefit for the end user, even though they may look good,” said online services director, Christopher Perrins. “As a team, we’ve worked hard to ensure that we’ve only included features that will really help exhibitors, buyers and other visitors to achieve more from the show, whether it’s more efficient use of their time to balance business with education and networking; keeping on top of show news and messages; making sure they don’t miss the most relevant seminars or, fundamentally, to schedule and keep track of more business appointments.”

MPI is currently developing the IMEX America app that will include even more features in order to connect attendees to the education planned for Smart Monday, October 10th in Las Vegas and a robust calendar of activities. The IMEX America app will also incorporate the most successful features from the Frankfurt experience based on user feedback.