Anniversary at IMEX Frankfurt: Berlin Convention Office celebrates its 25th birthday

Berlin, 5 May 2026 When the congress and events sector comes together at IMEX Frankfurt from 19 to 21 May, Berlin will be presenting itself not only as a meeting destination, but also with a special story to tell: visitBerlin’s Berlin Convention Office is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Together with 19 partners, the Berlin Convention Office team will be showcasing what makes Berlin stand out as a venue at stand B010. Congress and exhibition centres, conference hotels, event venues and specialised suppliers will provide insights into the capital’s diversity and invite event planners to connect and exchange ideas.

Marco Oelschlegel, Director Conventions at the visitBerlin Berlin Convention Office, highlights the importance of the trade fair for the destination’s international positioning: “IMEX offers us the ideal platform to present innovations and deepen partnerships. In our anniversary year, we can also show how Berlin’s congress and events sector has developed over the past 25 years, and which trends will shape Berlin’s MICE industry in the future.”

Platform for innovation, sustainability and exchange

Visitors to the Berlin stand at IMEX will also gain an insight into how the congress destination is evolving. One example is the newly designed Berlin Convention Finder, a digital tool that makes it easier for event planners to find suitable locations and partners. Another key topic is the Berlin Impact Programme. It supports event organisers in creating positive social impact through their events, for example by collaborating with local initiatives or adopting sustainable event formats. The programme is part of the Sustainable Berlin initiative, through which visitBerlin promotes sustainable development in tourism and the events sector.

Sustainability also plays a role at the trade fair stand: textile coverings made from recycled polyester and predominantly hired furniture reduce material consumption. Many elements will be reused at future trade fairs. Materials such as floor coverings are recycled or passed on to non-profit initiatives. In this way, the team is making a conscious statement in favour of resource-saving event formats.

25 years of Berlin’s success as a congress and event destination

When the Berlin Convention Office was founded in 2001, the team consisted of four employees. Today, 14 experts work in the department, collaborating closely with the entire visitBerlin team to position Berlin internationally as a congress and event destination. In recent years, numerous major international events have been brought to Berlin and the destination has been further developed. At the same time, new initiatives have been created for the industry: Sustainable Meetings Berlin, Berlin Meeting Campus and the MICE festival Bestival show how Berlin continues to evolve as an innovative and sustainable congress destination. The Berlin Convention Office has been a regular exhibitor at IMEX Frankfurt since 2003.

To mark its 25th anniversary, the Berlin Convention Office is hosting a reception together with the Frankfurt Convention Bureau on 19 May. From 4 p.m., trade visitors will have the opportunity to talk to partners in a relaxed atmosphere and raise a glass to 25 years of successful work for Berlin as a MICE destination. The culinary offering brings together the best of both cities under the motto: “Celebrate & Connect – Green Sauce meets Currywurst”.

Partners at the Berlin stand

Representatives from Amano Berlin, Courtyard by Marriott Berlin City Center, Das Stue, Dorint Kurfürstendamm Berlin, Estrel Berlin, EUREF-Campus Berlin, Grand Hyatt Berlin, H10 Ku’damm, Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Mampe Berlin, NTI Nordic Travel Incoming, Messe Berlin, SANA Berlin, Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz, Seminaris CampusHotel Berlin, The Ritz-Carlton Berlin, Berlin Marriott Hotel, Time Change, Titanic Hotels Berlin and Waldorf Astoria Berlin will be at stand B010 to share what else makes Berlin the perfect address for business events.

Further information on the history of the Berlin Convention Office