Responding to a widespread desire for high value, face-to-face connection, this year’s IMEX America
focuses on asking people “Are You In?” The resounding reply from many
buyers and suppliers from around the world so far is…Yes!
Just 7
weeks after registration opened, well over 3,000 global buyers have
already registered for the award-winning trade show, taking place
October 17 – 19 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.
Exhibitor interest
has also been enthusiastic, with over 40 new exhibiting companies so far
contracted. The upswing signals that the North American and global
events industry is finally shaking off the suffocating effects of the
pandemic to focus on nurturing new business pipelines and
market opportunities.
Global exhibitors expanding show presence
Increased
engagement from previous and new North American exhibitors means the
area of the show dedicated to the USA is set to be bigger than ever.
Arizona, Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco and
Seattle have all expanded their booth space and Denver will have its
largest ever booth. MGM Resorts is also increasing its presence with the
MGM Grand Las Vegas recently recognized as the largest single hotel in
the world. California, Detroit, Orlando, Omaha and Montreal are among
the US destinations investing in sponsored activations at the show.
Destinations
from across Europe and the Middle East are strongly represented. They
include Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Monaco, Spain
and Dubai. Wales is among the destinations exhibiting for the first
time. Likewise, Asia Pacific makes a marked return to the show with
Seoul, Tokyo and Taiwan amongst those confirmed so far.
Alongside
the global destinations, all the major hotel groups will be present
including Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, Marriott, Radisson and
Wyndham.
With the event technology sector going through massive change in recent years, including the rapid adoption of AI, attendees will discover a wide choice of providers offering event platforms, chatbots, analytics and apps designed to respond to current market needs. Cvent, EventMobi, Fielddrive, RefTech and STOVA are among the tech companies confirmed so far.
Learning program raises tough topics
The
award-winning show’s learning program has been simplified and redesigned
to enhance show floor meetings between buyers and suppliers. Tahira
Endean, Head of Programming at the IMEX Group, explains: “This year
we’re testing plenty of new short-form formats; we’ve challenged our
speakers to create presentations that are engaging and instantly usable
to meet the new ways that people want to learn or consume information.
Short. Snappy. Entertaining. Easy to remember and digest … these are the
buzzwords of our education programming right now.
“And with
Human Nature as the IMEX Talking Point for 2023, we’ve intentionally
crafted our program to deliver a balance of both personal and
professional growth opportunities. Shaping the program this way
recognizes that we bring the ‘whole of ourselves’ to a business event.
It encourages attendees to embrace a growth mindset and dive deeper into
their own humanity to help us all build better human connections and
focus on positive change across the industry,” says Tahira.
Guidance for first-timers
Carina
Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, says: “We know that face-to-face events
are where some of the most significant and valuable business
conversations take place, so we carefully design both the online and IRL
aspects of IMEX America to facilitate that. And, from the demand we’re
currently seeing from both buyers and suppliers, the appetite to meet
and do business together is quite remarkable.
“As well as
welcoming returning friends and industry colleagues from around the
globe, we recognize that our sector has evolved, bringing with it many
new faces, in particular. So, this year we’re helping first-timers come
together. We’re offering support, advice and ideas
covering everything from how to plan meetings at the show, how to dig
into education or decide what to wear, where to eat and who to meet!”
IMEX
America takes place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, 17 – 19 October,
with Smart Monday, powered by MPI on Monday 16 October. IMEX has
partnered with HotelMap to offer exclusive hotel deals for all IMEX attendees. Register for the show to unlock hotel discounts and special deals.