On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, our colleague and Chief Commercial Officer of KOP, Mieke Berkers, will take the stage at IMEX Frankfurt. She has been invited by Women in Exhibitions to participate in the panel “Why gender balance is key,” taking place from 12:35 to 1:25 p.m. in the Inspiration Hub, Hall 9.
Alongside fellow panelists Claire Semple, Heiko M. Stutzinger and Sonia Thomas, Mieke will discuss the need for a healthy gender balance within the expo industry. She will share personal experiences and offer practical insights to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As Mieke herself states,
"I will share some honest, funny and (maybe a little too) recognizable real-life anecdotes.... and together with my fellow panelists, we'll dive into practical tips and fresh perspectives that you can actually use!"
Founded in 2018, Women in Exhibitions is a global network dedicated to empowering women in the expo industry. Their mission focuses on promoting gender diversity as well as supporting the next generation of women leaders through mentoring programs, networking events and educational initiatives such as the WiE Academy.
This is not just a matter of equality, it’s about future-proofing for the industry. Too many highly educated and talented women leave the expo industry early to pursue careers elsewhere. This is often caused by a lack of visibility, advancement opportunities or support. As a result, the industry loses valuable knowledge, experience and future prospects.
By better supporting women and actively creating an inclusive work environment, the talent needed for the industry to grow and innovate will be retained. Initiatives like Women in Exhibitions contribute to this, helping to ensure the industry remains attractive and future oriented.
For more information about the ‘Why gender balance is key’ session and other program elements of IMEX Frankfurt, visit the official IMEX website.
We’re proud of Mieke's contribution to this important conversation. We look forward to the insights Mieke and her fellow panelists will share. And of course, we are curious to hear your opinions and perhaps experience in this area. Please feel free to share them with us!
