IMEX hosted buyers can enjoy free travel and accommodation as part of our hosted buyer programme. 

Before you make your travel arrangements you should familiarise yourself with the important information below. As a hosted buyer coming to IMEX, you should make sure you meet the commitments set out in the qualifying criteria, including attending the show for the duration of your programme and arriving by 10am each day.

You should also refer to our information about travel reimbursements.
 

Facts and frequently asked questions

Flights

As a hosted buyer, you can book your travel and we’ll reimburse the cost (up to our travel reimbursement limit). This does not apply to hosted buyers on the IMEX individual long-haul programme.

Before booking your flight:

Check the travel reimbursement limits and conditions. Contact us if your local airport is not listed.

Check your group programme dates (in your welcome email), and book flights that allow you to attend complete days at the show during your programme. Contact us before booking if you cannot find flights that allow this.

Check flight offers and discounts from The Lufthansa Group.

Trains

Frankfurt’s main station is 15 minutes from Messe Frankfurt. Or take tram 16 or 17 in front of the station to Festhalle/Messe, U-Bahn line U4 to Festhalle/Messe, or S-Bahn to Messe, entrance Torhaus. An electric shuttle bus runs from the Festhalle/Messe entrance to IMEX on show days.

You can book discounted fares on Deutsche Bahn for your travel to IMEX.

Hosted hotel accommodation

We book your hotel for you, choosing the hotel based on the hosted buyer group you’re part of, and your programme dates. Once your hotel is confirmed, we’ll email you to let you know that you can view your hotel details in your IMEX account under Hotel Confirmation.

This will be approximately four weeks before the show. Check the details straight away and let us know if any changes need to be made.

Changes to your accommodation booking

If you need to change the night(s) you’re being hosted, email: hosted@imexexhibitions.com. (Your hosted hotel nights are set according to your hosted buyer group’s programme dates.)

We cannot change the hotel we’ve booked for you as this is set based on the hosted buyer group you’re part of.

Extras

Any extra nights should be booked directly with the hotel at your own expense (at rates set by the hotel). Contact us before you do this so we can send the hotel’s reservations team the details of your IMEX hosted night(s).

Your IMEX hosted nights are room only and do not include breakfast (However, your group leader may choose to host group breakfast meetings.)

Check-in is usually from 17:00. Check out in good time to be at the show by 10:00. If you need early check-in or late check out, contact the hotel direct. Any additional charges will be payable by you.

Your IMEX hosted nights are paid for in advance. Provide a credit card at check-in for extra expenses such as breakfast, room service, telephone, laundry, mini bar, late check-out fees or resort fee and settle these when you check out.

If you’d like to share your room, contact us so we can update your record. Any additional charges will be payable by you.

Shuttle bus transfers

Airport shuttle buses

Regular IMEX shuttle buses run between the airport and Messe Frankfurt from Monday 22 May to Thursday 25 May 2023. (To make sure you’re included on our airport transfer manifest, submit your travel reimbursement claim by Friday 28 April 2023.)

Arrival

If you arrive at Frankfurt airport outside the shuttle bus transfer dates and times below, make your own way to your hotel or  to Messe Frankfurt (at your own expense).

Before Monday 22 May 2023

Contact your hosted buyer group leader if you’re arriving early.  No IMEX  shuttle bus transfers are available.

Arriving Monday 22 May 2023

IMEX hosts will direct you from the terminal to your shuttle bus for your transfer to your hotel.

Arriving Tuesday 23 May 2023 or Wednesday 24 May 2023

IMEX hosts will direct you from the terminal to your electric shuttle bus for your transfer to Messe Frankfurt. Complimentary luggage storage is available at Messe Frankfurt.

Departure

Check out of your hotel settling any additional expenses before the hotel’s check-out time and to arrive at the show by 10:00. Bring your luggage to Messe Frankfurt and use the complimentary luggage storage. If you leave outside the transfer times below, make your own way to the airport (at your own expense).

From Messe Frankfurt to Frankfurt airport (every 20 minutes between the times below)
                   
Tuesday 23 May 2023 8:30 to 18:30

Wednesday 24 May 2023 8:30 to 18:30

Thursday 25 May 2023 8:30 to 17:30

Frankfurt main train station shuttle buses

New for 2023: Train station shuttles will be operated using electric buses.

Arrival

If you arrive at Frankfurt main train station outside the shuttle bus transfer dates and times below, make your own way to your hotel or to Messe Frankfurt (at your own expense).

Before Monday 22 May 2023

Contact your hosted buyer group leader if you’re arriving early. No IMEX shuttle bus transfers are available.

Arriving Monday 22 May 2023

Follow the instructions we email you close to the show.

Arriving Tuesday 23 May 2023 or Wednesday 24 May 2023

Between 8:30 and 12:00 IMEX hosts will direct you from the station to your shuttle bus for your transfer to Messe Frankfurt. Complimentary luggage storage is available at Messe Frankfurt.

Departure

Check out of your hotel settling any additional expenses before the hotel’s check-out time and to arrive at the show by 10:00. Bring your luggage to Messe Frankfurt and use the complimentary luggage storage. If you leave outside the transfer times below, make your own way to the station (at your own expense).

From Messe Frankfurt to Frankfurt main train station (every 20 minutes between the times below) 

Tuesday 23 May 2023 15:00 to 18:30

Wednesday 24 May 2023 15:00 to 18:30

Thursday 25 May 2023 15:00 to 17:30
 

Hotel shuttle buses

IMEX shuttle buses run between your hotel and Messe Frankfurt every morning, and back to your hotel after the show in the evening. View shuttle bus timetable.

Public transport

If you'd like to make your own way to and from the airport/to and from your hotel at your own expense. View how to get there.

Messe Frankfurt is easy to get to from the airport, from your hotel or by car or train from outside Frankfurt. It's walking distance from many central Frankfurt hotels too.

Visas

If you need help with your visa application, you can request and download a letter from us to support your application by logging in to your IMEX account and selecting Visa. 

Exclusions

We do not cover meals, personal expenses, hotel upgrades, taxis, visa or visa waiver fees, travel insurance or local airport/train station transfers.

HOTEL FAQs

Q. Can I change my hosted hotel?

A. No, your hotel is chosen based on your programme dates and the hosted buyer group you’re part of.

Q. When will I receive my hotel booking confirmation number?

A. We’ll email you the hotel’s contact details and add them to your IMEX account under Hotel Confirmation approximately four weeks before the show.

Q. How far is my hotel from Messe Frankfurt?

A. View how to get there.

Q. The nights you’ve booked for me are wrong, how do I change them?

A. Email: hosted@imexexhibitions.com

Q. I’d like to book an extra night, how do I do this?

A. Any extra nights should be booked direct with the hotel at your own expense (at rates set by the hotel).

Q. I’ve spoken to the hotel and they say they have no record of my booking.

A. We give the hotel all our hosted buyers’ names around 10 days before arrival. Let the hotel know you’re part of the IMEX hosted buyer block.

Q. Does the hotel offer special rates for extra nights booked by IMEX hosted buyers?

A. Contact the hotel direct for the best rate available and let them know you’ re part of the IMEX hosted buyer programme.

Q. I'd like to share my room. How do I arrange this?

A. Email: hosted@imexexhibitions.com so we can update your record. Any additional charges will be payable by you.

Q. Who do I contact about special requests such as a fridge in my room or a room away from the lifts?

A. Contact the hotel direct (unless you’ve already given us this information at registration as we will have passed this request to the hotel).

Q. Can I arrange early check-in on a non-show day?
Contact the hotel direct to request this. This will be subject to availability, and any additional charges will be payable by you.

Q. When I arrive in Frankfurt (on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) can I go direct to my hotel and access my room?

A. No, transfers go from the airport and train station direct to Messe Frankfurt. You’ll be able to leave your luggage in our cloakroom and access our Hosted Buyer Lounge.

Q. Why is the hotel asking for my credit card details when it’s all paid for?

A. This is to cover any extra expenses such as breakfast, room service, telephone, laundry, mini bar or late check-out fees.

Q. Is breakfast included?

A. Your IMEX hosted nights are room only and do not include breakfast. (However, your group leader may choose to host group breakfast meetings.)

Q. My flight leaves late on Thursday, can you arrange a late check out for me?

A. Contact the hotel direct to request this. This will be subject to availability and any additional charges will be payable by you.

Room night type description – in your IMEX account

Hosted – room night paid by us

Buyers own expense – you book the room night and pay for it yourself

Fam trip – room night arranged as part of your fam trip (contact your hosted buyer group leader for details)

Group sponsored – your intermediary will pay for this room night

Own accommodation – you are booking your own accommodation elsewhere at your own expense

Driving

If you plan to drive to IMEX Frankfurt we can provide free parking on top of Hall 9, Messe Frankfurt. Please log in to your IMEX account and go to 'Reimbursement'. Select reimbursement type 'Driving - get a parking permit' and complete the form. We will email you a link to obtain your parking voucher nearer the show.

Have any questions? Check our FAQs page or contact us: 

Call: +44 (0)1273 224957
Email: hosted@imexevents.com