IMEX Debuts Groundbreaking Digital Wayfinding at 2023 Frankfurt and Las Vegas Shows

May 19, 2023

Attendees at IMEX Frankfurt, which takes place May 23-25 at Messe Frankfurt, and IMEX America, set for Oct. 17-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, will benefit from enhanced digital navigation thanks to an innovative combination of indoor positioning technology from Crowd Connected and an interactive floorplan from ExpoFP.

Crowd Connected, a pioneer in location-based visitor tracking, and ExpoFP, a leading provider of digital floorplans to the exhibitions industry, developed the QR code navigation solution to revolutionize the visitor experience by providing an unparalleled level of orientation, accessibility and efficiency in navigating the show floor.

IMEX show attendees will be able to use their smartphones to scan QR codes strategically placed throughout the venue, which will open an interactive floorplan. This pinpoints their current location, enables them to easily search for specific exhibitors, product categories or other show features and plot a route across the show floor. It then estimates the walk time to their chosen destination.

The digital floorplan is then available subsequently on attendees’ smartphones any time it’s needed.

No longer will attendees face the inconvenience of getting lost or wasting time searching for exhibitors. IMEX show attendees can maximize their time, network effectively and explore the latest industry offerings without navigational hurdles.

“We’re focused on delivering a more intuitive networking and appointment experience,” said Oli Bailey, head of interaction design at IMEX Group. “Navigation is a critical component of this, and we’re delighted to be providing a best-in-class solution that will help buyers find the exhibitors they’re looking for and get to appointments on time.

Bailey added that attendees should look out for the QR codes around the show floor, including on directional signage.

Crowd Connected’s partnership with ExpoFP provides IMEX show attendees with a simple, effective indoor navigation experience, according to Mark Maydon, commercial director of Crowd Connected.

“Our research suggests the value of a typical exhibition would be 20% higher if visitors had no problem finding everything they were looking for,” Maydon said. “By bringing digital techniques to the show floor, we’re helping organizers maximize interactions while providing attendees with a better experience."

Meanwhile, an interactive floor plan with blue dot makes navigation easier, according to Ross Sudentas, CEO and founder of ExpoFP.

“Soon, it’ll be as strange seeing an event visitor with a static PDF map as it is a driver using a paper road map,” Sudentas said. “The main reason it’s not more widespread is economics, but with QR code wayfinding indoor navigation comes lower cost, putting it within reach of any show.”

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