IMEX Frankfurt is to host a debate on diversity in the global meetings and events industry, with the expansion of its signature event, She Means Business.
Now titled, She Means Business, a Conversation for All, IMEX together with partners tw magazine and MPI have invited attendees to “take a fresh look at diversity, gender equality and female empowerment”.
The expanded programme now offers sessions on all three days of IMEX in Frankfurt, from 31 May – 2 June.
Panellists for the ‘Women seek conversation with men about diversity and gender equality’ are:
- Marta Gomes, deputy executive director sales and marketing division at viparis
- Mike Sealy, global director of diversity and inclusion at Informa Markets
- Katharina Path, marketing manager conventions at Frankfurt Convention Bureau
- Sherrif Karamat, CAE president and CEO PCMA Organisation
- Marta Gomes, deputy executive director Ssles and marketing division at viparis
‘Future of work: Diversity’s role in creating the work culture of tomorrow’ will be moderated by Jessie States, vice president Meeting Professionals International, MPI. The panellists are:
- Ulrike Tondorf, head of brand activation and engagement at Bayer AG
- Tanja Auernhamer, head of association communications at bvik
- Christian Woronka, director of Vienna Convention Bureau
- Juliette Wangalachi, event manager at Solar Promotion
Mental health is another focus of the She Means Business three-day programme, which will feature an open exchange on how to respond to crises and build resilience. Social barriers are also examined by speakers including Professor Dr. Ing Carsten Busch, President of HTW Berlin, in Breaking the Glass Ceiling.
Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO said: “What started off as a small, female-focused event for the business events industry, has now grown to become a broader movement for all people, regardless of gender identity, to discuss how we as an industry can be more inclusive. Everyone’s invited to shape this conversation. The debate about inclusivity and diversity remains as important as ever and poses real challenges for the global meetings industry. We’re proud and excited by the partnerships and speakers we have in place who have created this timely and powerful programme.”
Kerstin Wuensch, editor in chief of tw magazine, is part of a panel presenting research into women in the events industry. Results of a new survey will be compared to findings from a similar study in 2017.
Wuensch said: “The pandemic has brought about inequalities between women and men. This makes it more difficult to achieve Goal 5 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): Gender Equality. At She Means Business we want to exchange ideas about diversity and gender equality and start to work together.”
