IMEX Frankfurt: Deputy London Major & ExCeL unite for city's thriving event industry

Deputy Mayor & ExCeL London unite at IMEX Frankfurt:
2023 to be 'new benchmark' for London event industry

Data shows London is not just back but booming as events sector currently tracking higher than previous all-time record from 2019.

Rajesh Agrawal, Deputy Mayor of London for Business, along with London & Partners and leading event venue ExCeL united this week at IMEX Frankfurt to champion the city’s thriving event industry – revealing that 2023 is set to become its new benchmark for success.

Speaking at the leading trade show for meetings, incentives, conferences and events, ExCeL’s Executive Director James Rees announced that delegate attendance figures are currently tracking a double-digit percentage higher than the previous record set before the pandemic in 2019. 

“London has always been a world-class event destination, but our data shows that even after everything we’ve endured over the past few years, London is not just back, it is booming,” says Rees. “The city’s rich cultural heritage, its sustainability goals to be net zero by 2030, together with being ranked as world leaders in the life sciences, FinTech and AI sectors, are just some of the reasons it remains so attractive.”

Adding: “The addition of London’s high-speed Elizabeth line, which marks its first anniversary this week, has also been a transformation to the city’s event industry. Based on findings from our independent research partner Explori, we’ve seen how it has led to an increase in overall visitor numbers, a rise in those visiting ExCeL for the first time, an expansion to our catchment area, visitors staying longer and an increase in those travelling from Europe.”

Linked to this, ExCeL is now in the final construction phases of a 25,000sqm expansion programme of its International Convention Centre to continue to put London at the forefront of the global events stage. Opening in October 2024 and designed for a post-pandemic world, the new project will exceed industry standards in sustainability and create additional state-of-the-art ICC convention facilities, exhibition halls and conference rooms.

ExCeL has already hosted an array of major events this year, with those to come including the return of major corporate brands such as Gartner, Amazon and Adobe, along with the likes of the International Conference on Robotics & Automation and the 2023 Acute & General Medicine association. 

Held in Frankfurt Messe, Germany, IMEX Frankfurt is widely regarded as one of the world's leading trade shows for the meetings, conference, and events market.