Over the course of one extraordinary week, 12,500 participants, 500 speakers and 200 exhibitors from across the globe came together to explore ‘The Next Frontiers of Global Finance’.
This milestone event showcased Frankfurt’s outstanding infrastructure, sustainable event capabilities and the close collaboration between Swift, Messe Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Convention Bureau.
About Sibos
Sibos is the annual conference, exhibition and networking event organised by Swift for the global financial industry. Launched in 1978 as a seminar on banking operations, it has evolved into the premier business forum for the global financial community, rotating between major financial centres around the world.
A seamless event experience at Messe Frankfurt
The three key pillars of the event – exhibition, conference and networking – were elegantly and seamlessly integrated across the various locations of Messe Frankfurt.
Fast and secure access for more than 12,000 attendees was ensured through three independent entrances: City, Congress Center, and South. Registration, often a bottleneck at large events, proceeded quickly and in a coordinated manner in hall 1.1, offering an area of more than 8,000 square meters.
Sibos occupied the eastern exhibition grounds of Messe Frankfurt, including the Congress Center, the Forum, and Halls 1 and 3. All buildings are connected via the Via Mobile moving walkway system, ensuring weather-protected, barrier-free access throughout. In the locations bright natural light, rooftop terraces with skyline views and easy orientation defined the attendee experience, supported by six LED walls and 47 digital screens.
Creative activations such as the Evolving Canvas in the Via Mobile, the Frankfurt Selfie Point in the Food Hall, and Frankfurt Postcard Stations throughout the venue added charm and interactivity to the event environment. |
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Venue Overview
- Forum: Sessions & networking spaces; food trucks in the outdoor area
- Congress Center: Opening & Closing plenaries and breakout sessions
- Hall 1.1: Registration Area
- Hall 1.2: Food Hall & Closing Event
- Hall 3.0 and 3.1: Exhibition & Networking lounges
- Agora outdoor area: Bus terminals for 22 shuttle buses to evening events across the city
Sibos in the City
Frankfurt extended a warm welcome to participants right from the moment they arrived:
164 airport screens across both terminals greeted guests at baggage claim.
A ten-minute train ride connects the airport to the city center.
Thanks to the Congress Travel Pass, conveniently integrated into the Sibos app and provided by the Frankfurt Convention Bureau, registered Sibos participants enjoyed free access to all local public transport, eliminating the need for hotel shuttles. The offer was rounded off by complimentary tickets for hop-on hop-off city tours, even before and after the event.
With more than 12,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of Messe Frankfurt, convenience was guaranteed. The Frankfurt Hotel Alliance actively supported the housing agency during the booking process.
On-site, the Frankfurt Counter in Hall 3 provided city information and complimentary discount passes for an excellent culture, gastronomy and shopping experience in Frankfurt.
Evening networking events and receptions held at various Frankfurt financial institutions and venues were easily accessible via dedicated shuttles departing from the central Agora plaza.
Catering – Diverse, High-Quality and Relaxed
Accente Catering & Hospitality, Messe Frankfurt’s in-house catering service, offered participants a culinary experience that combined global variety with local flavour.
Catering Highlights
- Three-course seated menu for 500 guests in the specially built restaurant area of Hall 1.2
- Food Court featuring Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern and German cuisine, with live music
- Relaxation areas with beanbags, sofas and swings for informal breaks
- Snack stops offering infused water and healthy snacks throughout the venue
- Outdoor food trucks serving pretzels, cinnamon rolls, Frankfurt hot dogs, German draft beer, regional wines and apple cider
- 50% plant-based menu options across all offerings
Security
Given the attendance of high-profile speakers and senior executives from over 200 international banks, a robust and multi-layered security concept was essential.
- Security checkpoints for all attendees and luggage at all entrances
- The entire security staff was provided by Messe Frankfurt.
- The Operational Security Center (OSC) of Messe Frankfurt played an important role in this context. It houses the central control room, corporate ad event security as well as representatives from police, fire brigade, the German Red Cross and other security services.
- With OSC support, a closed security area was maintained throughout the entire event.
Shaping a Sustainable Event
Sibos continues to advance its ESG strategy, anchored in three pillars:
- Protecting the environment
- Caring for the community
- Promoting inclusion
Messe Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Convention Bureau have long championed sustainability in the events industry and actively supported the implementation of Sibos’ ESG measures..
Key Sustainability Actions:
- 80% of show waste was recycled, 55% of materials repurposed or donated, enabled through Messe Frankfurt’s service partners.
- 50% plant-based menus provided by Accente Catering
- Free public transport and the compact venue layout for low-emission mobility.
- Paper-free event operations throughout
- 100% green electricity for all events at Messe Frankfurt.
- EMAS certification for Messe Frankfurt since 2023.
- Ongoing exchange between Sibos and Messe Frankfurt sustainability teams during planning
- Local recruitment for additional staff needs.
- Partnership with Children for a better World e.V., supported by Messe Frankfurt since 2010. Sibos contributed by collecting reusable stand items such as furniture, plants, books and carpets at the end of the event and supported over 200 recreational activities for children living in poverty.
How Sibos came to Frankfurt - A long story short
The road to Sibos Frankfurt was in the making over a decade.
- 2009: A spontaneous meeting between Swift and Messe Frankfurt during IBTM in Barcelona sparked the first discussions about hosting Sibos in Frankfurt.
- Following years: Scheduling conflicts delayed progress, but communication remained active.
- 2018–2019: Detailed discussions and preparations for Frankfurt’s official bid resumed.
- 2020: A major site inspection took place just before the pandemic lockdown.
- Post-lockdown: Planning resumed immediately. As Messe Frankfurt’s Sales Manager Christine Spitzenberg recalls:
“Sibos was my last in-person client meeting before lockdown – and the very first one after.” - 2023: The announcement was made official – Sibos 2025 would be hosted in Frankfurt.
