Following the cancellation of IMEX Frankfurt, the team behind the global business event tradeshow has launched a new virtual experience, dubbed PlanetIMEX.

Due to launch on 6 May, PlanetIMEX will feature 3D, interactive islands, designed to facilitate meetings, education and networking all online.

The concept uses principles borrowed from the world of online gaming and is divided into three sections: a beach-themed Community Island; forest-inspired Education Island and Networking Island characterised by canyons, mountains and valleys.

The platform will run for several months, giving business events professionals unlimited, free access to a variety of content and business opportunities.

IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer said the team wanted to give back to the industry and continue providing “high quality education, business and networking value”.

“Rather than switch to a one-off online event, in true IMEX fashion we opted for innovation through transformation!” she said.

“We’ve combined education, community, and business introductions with wellbeing, including some old favourites such as #imexstillrunning.

“All of this takes place in a new ‘magical place and space’ which we hope the industry will appreciate and value. That said, like many others in our industry, this has been – and remains – a learning curve.

“We’ve jumped right in to try something new and we’re excited to learn, refine and enrich it over time.”

Community Island and Education Island will open to industry visitors on 6 May, before Education programing starts on 11 May with a day of education and interactive content, starting with a keynote by Guy Bigwood, managing director of the Global Destination Sustainability Index.

IMEX has partnered with Cvent on designing and developing the education platform of PlanetIMEX.

“While the in-person experience at IMEX in Frankfurt will be greatly missed this year, our teams have collaborated to create a unique and deeply engaging virtual environment,” said Patrick Smith, CMO of Cvent.

“While nothing can replace meeting face-to-face, it’s important that as industry leaders, we make the best of this current situation, and to be able to help IMEX deliver their great content to their global audience in an interactive, compelling way is really exciting.”

Look out for more information online and view the teaser video for PlanetIMEX below: