IMEX Frankfurt 2026: Our First European Installation at the World’s Biggest Events Show

When IMEX Frankfurt asked us to furnish the hosted buyers lounge and food hall for their 2026 show, we didn’t hesitate. This was the world’s largest meetings and events exhibition, held at Messe Frankfurt. The brief was ambitious, the timeline was tight, and the scale was unlike anything we’d tackled on the continent before.

The Brief

IMEX needed a space that felt considered, comfortable, and capable of hosting thousands of meetings over three days. The hosted buyers lounge is the heart of the show. It’s where decision-makers from across the global events industry sit down, network, and do business. It needed to look exceptional while standing up to serious footfall.

We worked with the IMEX team to design zones for:

  • Lounge seating for informal conversations and networking
  • Dining settings for working lunches and meetings
  • Quieter VIP zones for private discussions
  • Statement areas that set the tone for the entire show floor

Every piece of furniture was chosen to balance aesthetics with practicality. The floorplan was designed in close collaboration with the IMEX team, ensuring the space worked as hard as it looked.

The Scale of the Operation

To give you a sense of the scale involved, here are the headline figures from our IMEX Frankfurt installation. This was a full European logistics operation, managed end to end by our team from warehouse to show floor.

The operation in numbers:

  • 3 articulated lorries loaded and driven across Europe
  • 3 project managers overseeing the installation on-site
  • 18 crew members working across two days
  • Full build, dress, and styling of the hosted buyers lounge and VIP areas
This wasn’t a case of dropping off furniture and hoping for the best. Our team managed every detail, from the initial load-out at our UK warehouse through to the final styling touches on the show floor in Frankfurt.

Project timeline:

  • Planning: Floorplan design in conjunction with IMEX
  • Transport: Cross-border European logistics
  • Build: Two-day installation window
  • Show: Three days of live events

What's Next?

We’re already planning to increase our presence next year. The response from the IMEX team and attendees confirmed what we already knew: there’s a real appetite for high-quality event furniture on the continent.

Looking ahead:

  • Increased installation size at IMEX Frankfurt 2027
  • Over 450 collections now available for European events
  • Full project management and logistics for any European venue
  • Custom floorplan design for your stand or event space
20260519-095346 Before
20260519-092923 After

    • Could Your Stand Use a FOTM Upgrade?

    • Are you exhibiting at a European trade show, conference, or event?
    • Do you want your stand to look distinctly different from the competition?
    • Do you need furniture that handles high footfall while looking exceptional?
    • Would full project management and logistics support make your life easier?
    • Are you looking for a furniture partner who understands events at scale?

    If any of that sounds like you, get in touch. Email [email protected] or visit furnitureonthemove.co.uk

    Questions?

    Can FOTM deliver furniture anywhere in Europe?
    Yes. Our IMEX Frankfurt project proved our European logistics capability. We can manage the full operation, from UK warehouse to venue, for events across the continent.
    Absolutely. We send dedicated project managers to oversee every installation. At IMEX we had three PMs coordinating 18 crew across two build days.
    Trade shows, conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, product launches, and private functions. If it needs furniture, we can supply and install it.
    For large European installations, we recommend getting in touch as early as possible. This gives us time to plan logistics, design your floorplan, and coordinate with venue teams.
    Yes. We work with clients and event organisers to design bespoke floorplans that make the most of your space. At IMEX we designed the layout in partnership with the IMEX team.
    Over 450 collections are now available across Europe, covering lounge seating, dining, bars, lighting, accessories, and more. Browse the full range at furnitureonthemove.co.uk.