Introduction
IMEX Frankfurt is Europe’s largest trade show for the meetings and events industry, renowned not only for its business opportunities but also for its leadership in sustainability. The 2025 event, held May 20-22 at Messe Frankfurt, continued this legacy, building on the successes and learnings from previous shows.
Sustainability lies at the heart of IMEX’s ethos. The team measure and evaluate their sustainability actions each year, building on successes and identifying areas to improve. Their mission is to continuously enhance the positive social and economic impact of their shows as part of their vision for a “thriving global events industry focused on positive change” (source).
Community Engagement: The Hygiene Kit Build
Given the scale of the event, the opportunity for creating impact is substantial.
IMEX Frankfurt 2025 took its community engagement to the next level, by introducing a Hygiene Kit Build, a collaborative volunteer experience that took place on the show floor. This was facilitated by global events company CTW Events which has supported the making of over 7 million kits, all distributed to communities in need.
IMEX Frankfurt attendees were invited to assemble hygiene kits containing essential toiletries, including a bamboo toothbrush, dental tablets, shower gel and shampoo – all for donation to a local charity .
Real, Local Impact
Over the course of the event, 600 hygiene kits were assembled and donated to Bahnhofsmission Frankfurt, a local NGO that provides immediate, free support to those in need, including assistance with travel, basic necessities and help for those in acute or existential distress (source).
“Thank you again for the wonderful donations! Hygiene articles are always in high demand. The shower gel and shampoo miniatures are especially useful as many of our guests regularly have to carry their belongings.”
Simple Way to Align with Overall Goals
As well as making a huge difference to local individuals in need, the inclusion of this initiative also aligned perfectly with IMEX’s sustainability goals of giving back to local communities and championing the positive impacts of meetings and events (source).
“The Hygiene Kit Build enriched our attendees’ experience at the show, enabling them to give back to our host city of Frankfurt and enjoy a creative break in between their meetings. It’s also a great example of a community-led activation which planners can bring to their own events.”
How Was the Hygiene Kit Build Operated?
Attendees could drop by at the kit assembly area in between meetings and contribute a few minutes to packing a hygiene kit. This simple act of volunteering not only provided much-needed supplies to the community but also allowed attendees to engage in IMEX’s broader sustainability story.
As CTW Events highlighted: “Each kit comes with the essentials… but the most important part of the set is YOU,” underlining how attendee involvement is key to turning simple items into “powerful tools for change” in the community. The Hygiene Kit Build contributed to a sense of unity and purpose among event participants, with many noting what a lovely touch it was.
Watch an example of a volunteer packing a hygiene kit at IMEX Frankfurt
About CTW Events
CTW Events is a leading global provider of fully scalable and customizable team-building experiences with a purpose. The company facilitates high-energy events that not only deliver essential supplies (hygiene kits, food, school supplies, etc.) but also foster meaningful connections within communities.
Key statistics about CTW Events:
- Partnered with over 1,000 charities
- Distributed over 6.5 million kits
- Engaged over 301,000 volunteers worldwide
- Contributed over 225,000 hours of participation
“IMEX Frankfurt is a powerful reminder of how the events industry can come together to create meaningful impact. Facilitating the hygiene kit build on the show floor allowed us to connect hundreds of attendees with a hands-on opportunity to give back to the local community, transforming a trade show moment into a lasting act of care.”
Conclusion
The Hygiene Kit Build with CTW Events is an example of how events can leverage their platforms to drive positive change. This collaborative experience engages attendees and empowers them to make a real difference, creating a ripple effect of awareness and goodwill that extends far beyond the show floor.
The aim of this case study is to demonstrate how taking a collaborative and community-led approach can deliver impactful, responsible and enriching events
How Can You Start?
- Analyse your goals
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
- Find reliable organisations to support you
- Reach out to CTW Events for more information.
For more information about CTW Events follow the link
For more information about IMEX follow the link