Mood indicator hits all-time high for exhibits, on-stage events and networking
Successful re-launch of BOE INTERNATIONAL offered plenty of space for face-to-face encounters and multi-sensory experiences
BOE INTERNATIONAL welcomed the new event year in its usual way on 11 and 12 January 2023, confirming once again its self-image as a leading international experiential marketing show. The compact exhibitor line-up covered all aspects of live communications just waiting to be seen, touched and tried out. Trade visitors were also treated to an extensive supporting programme of highly informative talks, panel discussions, interviews and performances.
Dortmund, 17 January 2023 – As the new event year got underway, BOE INTERNATIONAL attracted international participants to the two-day show at Messe Dortmund on 11 and 12 January 2023, once again enabling suppliers in all segments of the event industry to showcase their expertise in live communications, MICE and business travel to a large audience. The VIP interviews with ex-professional footballer and brand ambassador Rúrik Gíslason and Dr Georg Kofler, entrepreneur and panellist on the German version of “The Dragons’ Den”, were just some of the inspiring items in a supporting programme which featured a host of highlights designed to inform and entertain. Another highlight was the keynote talk by Isabel Grupp, entrepreneur, influencer and state head of the Young Entrepreneurs’ organisation in Baden-Württemberg. The exciting and extensive programme, and the opportunity for the entire industry to come together again ensured a happy mood among all present.
“Our verdict on this year’s BOE INTERNATIONAL is excellent in every respect – and this has also been borne out by everyone we’ve talked to. BOE is traditionally an important forum for the international event industry, providing an optimum environment for doing new business and making new contacts. This is where the industry gets together to talk about budgets and projects, to gather information and to connect, engage and interact. “People at this year’s show made extensive use of these opportunities on the stands and during the accompanying programme which featured a wealth of interesting speakers and participants,” commented Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue, adding, “There can be no better incentive for us than to start planning the next BOE right away with this favourable feedback and all the images in our mind of what’s been a superb event!”
The trade visitors, too, are already looking forward to next year with great anticipation, with around 90% wanting to attend next year’s international event marketing show.
BOE INTERNATIONAL 2024 is to take place on 17 and 18 January 2024.
High quality of visitors praised by businesses and partner organisations
Suppliers, too, were very pleased with the interest shown by trade visitors, the density of contacts and the number of highly specific enquiries. This is a view shared by Christian Supa, Managing Director of supaevent GmbH: “The interest is there, and the response is great – the event industry is alive and kicking!” Florian Gehrs from Corporate Communications at Party Rent Group also emphasised the successful re-launch of BOE: “We’re very satisfied with the comeback of BOE INTERNATIONAL – especially in terms of the quality of contacts.” Sebastian Rudolph, Project Manager at Aventem GmbH added: “The show reflects the entire spectrum of the industry. We had many interesting conversations with different visitors and exhibitors. Everyone really talks to everyone here.” Lothar Genz, Managing Director of S.O.F.A. GmbH, also emphasised the show’s importance, saying, “BOE INTERNATIONAL is always a positive experience, and this year brought especially large numbers of trade visitors who came along with specific interests and enquiries.”
Whether they were attending the show for the first time or have been coming for many years, around 94% of the businesses have already confirmed they will be taking part in next year’s show.
A veritable wealth of contacts are available to be made at BOE, covering potential customers and contacts within the industry with event agencies on the lookout for suitable partners and staff, and freelancers offering their services to other providers. Overall, this goes to create an industry get-together that is clearly of higher value than an exhibition-only event.
Winning programme – inspiring and varied
The show was really enriched by six stages and a special events area offering a wealth of insights, ideas and information on topics currently occupying minds in the industry. One key focal point was the trending topic of sustainability, for which BOE INTERNATIONAL is a strong advocate along with its strategic sustainability partner 2bdifferent. Advancing young talent is also a key aspect at BOE, and young high-talent individuals were this year able to gather information and find their entry points to the industry at two on-site events: the new BrandEx Fresh format and the sixth FORUM EVENT. The rich supporting programme was supported by numerous partners and a host of key industry associations.
Creative achievements honoured at BrandEx Awards
The evening before BOE INTERNATIONAL got underway saw this year’s BrandEx Awards which honoured the best projects of the year in the areas of live marketing and brand architecture. The high-calibre panel of experts selected 23 entries in 15 categories, with Category 16 of the BrandEx Awards – entitled ‘Fresh’ – reserved for a special purpose, namely for young talents to submit their fresh ideas for live communications individually or as a team. For some entrants, the evening was particularly successful, with two or more prizes going to recipients including concept design consultants onliveline, Uniplan, George P. Johnson, fischer Appelt, DO IT! Gesellschaft für Field Activation, brand positioners insglück – Gesellschaft für Markeninszenierung, facts und fiction and brand communication experts Schachzug – Agentur für Markenkommunikation. The winning team in the ‘Fresh’ category was also from Schachzug.
>> All award winners at a glance
BOE INTERNATIONAL 2023 – What partners and exhibitors had to say
Florian Gehrs from Corporate Communications at Party Rent Group
“We’re very satisfied with the comeback of BOE INTERNATIONAL – especially in terms of the quality of contacts.” This year’s BOE has shown us that the event industry is well prepared for the many challenges it will face in the future. The relevance of live communications and the desire for real encounters and experiences are greater than ever.”
Kerstin Meisner, Managing Director of memo-media Verlags-GmbH:
“We’re totally thrilled! The service providers have been delighted by the very specific enquiries from visitors looking to book people. BOE 2020 was very good to us, and this year’s BOE shows that the industry can really build on that.”
Sebastian Rudolph, Project Manager at Aventem GmbH:
“The show reflects the entire spectrum of the industry. We had many interesting conversations with different visitors and exhibitors. Everyone really talks to everyone here. And then you re-convene in an entirely different setting at the BrandEx Awards.”
Lothar Genz, Managing Director of S.O.F.A. GmbH:
“BOE INTERNATIONAL is always a positive experience, and this year brought especially large numbers of trade visitors who came along with specific interests and enquiries. I’ve already booked my stand for next year.”
Mandy Berding (Managing Director) & Marloes van Klingen (Sales Manager) from Ocean Diva:
“We’re especially pleased to be back at BOE INTERNATIONAL as this year is our company’s 20th anniversary. For us, the whole package here is just fantastic. We were able to check into the hotel right next door, we attended the BrandEx Awards, and we simply love BOE Night. Dortmund is a great location too. We’re an international company, and this kind of offering just doesn’t exist in Belgium or the Netherlands.”
Jens Bungert, Managing Director of Event Rent GmbH:
“We’ve been coming here from the very beginning and will definitely be back. Our stand was well attended throughout, we had consistently good conversations, and we received enquiries and made interesting contacts. We’re taking great impressions away with us.”
Christian Supa, Managing Director of supaevent GmbH:
“The interest is there, and the response is great – the event industry is alive and kicking! Naturally, after the past few years, people are sounding each other out, and especially after the long break some businesses have to get their bearings in the market. That’s one reason why it’s especially nice to be back and catch up with old contacts. As a Dortmunder, I naturally have a strong allegiance to the show and will be happy to return.”
Thomas Eschenlauer, Managing Director of Spielmacher GmbH:
“Given our order book, we’re especially on the lookout for skilled employees and junior staff. We’ve a few vacancies for full-time and apprenticeship positions, so BOE INTERNATIONAL was a good opportunity to introduce ourselves to people. The response and high quality of the many applicants give us reason to be optimistic about the future of the industry.”
Dorothee Schulte, Head of Sales & Marketing in the Department of Communication & Business at IST University of Applied Sciences
“I was favourably surprised by this year’s BOE – a superb balance of full exhibition stands and interesting discussions accompanied by a captivating programme of varied stage events covering all the key topics in the industry. We’ll be happy to come back next year as an exhibitor and as training partner.”
Lina Peters from Event Management at ServiceKonzeptRuhr GmbH:
“Helping out with the catering at the BrandEx Awards gave us an opportunity to show what we’re capable of. Right now, many organisers are sceptical about service providers, but here customers were literally able to taste what we can deliver. Good work is our best publicity, and we’re proud to be part of this.”
Timo Seitz, Line Manager at emodrom group:
“We really like BOE INTERNATIONAL. Because it’s our first time here, we had no expectations whatsoever. The many good conversations, the interest of the visitors and exhibitors and the stands of the other exhibitors are all really great. We’ll be very happy to come back next year and are already planning a bigger stand.”
