Zenus Extends IMEX Frankfurt Partnership for Fourth Year Running

Ethical AI company will measure attendee engagement for 2026 show's 'Design Matters' theme using privacy-first facial analysis technology

By Sarah Mitchell · Published Fri, 01 May 2026 11:19:51 GMT · Updated Fri, 01 May 2026 11:19:51 GMT

Zenus will provide ethical AI facial analysis technology at IMEX Frankfurt 2026 for the fourth consecutive year. The partnership focuses on measuring attendee engagement for the show's 'Design Matters' theme.

Partnership Continues Through 2026

Zenus and IMEX Group have announced the extension of their partnership for the fourth consecutive year, with the ethical AI technology company set to provide facial analysis services at IMEX Frankfurt 2026. The trade show will take place at Messe Frankfurt from May 19–21, 2026.

Focus on Design Impact Measurement

The partnership will center on measuring the success of IMEX Frankfurt 2026's new Talking Point theme, "Design Matters," which explores how intentional event architecture affects human connection and belonging. The timing aligns with the Frankfurt region serving as the World Design Capital for 2026.

"Design is often seen as subjective, but our technology makes it measurable," said Panos Moutafis, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Zenus. "We're excited to help the IMEX team and their exhibitors see the tangible 'Return on Relationship' that stems from intentional, well-designed spaces."

Privacy-First Technology Deployment

Zenus will deploy privacy-first AI sensors to capture anonymized metrics including attendee impressions, dwell time, and sentiment across key activation areas. The company's proprietary AI models process all data locally on custom IoT devices, ensuring no video recording occurs and no personally identifiable information is collected, maintaining GDPR compliance.

Alex Webb, Head of Show Operations at IMEX Group, emphasized the value of the partnership: "We need partners like Zenus who can help us understand the 'why' and 'how' behind attendee behavior. Their insights have become an essential part of our planning, helping us turn intention into memorable experiences."

Expanded Services for Exhibitors

For 2026, Zenus is expanding its booth reporting service for individual exhibitors. This service provides high-fidelity analytics on how booth design attracts and retains target audiences while maintaining complete privacy protection. The analytics aim to help exhibitors move beyond surface-level networking by understanding visitor behavior patterns.

IMEX Frankfurt positions itself as the largest trade show in Europe for the global meetings and events industry, bringing together thousands of global suppliers and planners annually. The 2026-2027 Talking Point highlights design as a critical differentiator for business success and human connection.

Based on reporting by Exhibitor Magazine. Read the original article.