
As the business events community prepares for IMEX America, held October 13–15, 2026, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, we spoke with Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, about this year’s programming, lessons from IMEX Frankfurt and the trends shaping the industry.
“The most successful events will be those that combine strong business impact with purposeful, human-centered design—creating experiences that help people connect in person, find common ground and feel a genuine sense of belonging.”
In the conversation below, Bauer shares how IMEX America is building on these priorities through personalized education, expanded networking opportunities and programming designed to support stronger human connections. She also offers a global perspective on the growing importance of well-being, community and purposeful event design.
IMEX America consistently offers fresh programming. What can we expect at this year’s show?
In a nutshell: relevance, challenge, support and masses of practical takeaways.
Building on improvements made last year, attendees will be able to create their own personalized learning journey based on their interests, career goals and on-site schedule.
Tracks include Advanced Event Logistics, Health and Well-Being, Marketing and Engagement, and Tech-Enabled Futures.
New tracks this year include Designing for Human Needs, Design Matters, Design for Spectacle and Regenerative Design. These are inspired by our Talking Point, Design Matters, which explores how thoughtful, human-centered design can elevate experiences and create stronger personal connections.
Following IMEX Frankfurt earlier this year, what were the biggest takeaways?
One of the clearest takeaways from IMEX Frankfurt 2026 was the renewed importance of meeting face to face.
In a world increasingly shaped by digital interactions, there remains no substitute for being in the same room, building trust through genuine conversations and creating the kind of human connections that spark ideas and boost business.
Attendees told us that networking with new and existing contacts, alongside sourcing new suppliers, were their main reasons for attending. In fact, 86% of attendees rated our networking opportunities as “good” or “excellent.”
The thousands of event professionals, buyers and suppliers who gathered at IMEX Frankfurt reinforced something many of us instinctively know: people do not travel from all over the world simply to exchange information. They come together to test ideas, build trust, read the room and understand what is really happening behind the headlines.
At IMEX America, we are building on these insights by creating opportunities for face-to-face connection both on and off the show floor. These include SITE NITE North America, our first-timers welcome, the early-morning IMEXrun and the MPI Foundation’s Rendezvous celebration.
From your global perspective, what trends are affecting the industry today?
The first is a growing focus on well-being and human connection.
Today’s attendees are looking for spaces where they can feel energized, supported and genuinely connected. The rise of wellness sessions, resilience spaces and peer-led communities reflects a wider desire for events to nourish people, not just inform them.
We are also seeing a stronger desire to “find your tribe.” People increasingly want to connect around shared interests and identities, not job titles. Informal, community-driven formats—from book club meet-ups and creator circles to specialist networking groups—reflect the fact that people are seeking belonging as much as business opportunities.
Overall, our industry is in robust health. The Events Industry Council’s latest Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study found that business events generated $1.3 trillion in direct spending worldwide in 2025 and attracted 1.65 billion participants globally.
The data also reinforces the importance of meeting in person. The study found that 70% of respondents viewed relationship-building through face-to-face interaction as the event outcome most difficult to replicate digitally, while 28% said they would lose revenue without hosting in-person events.
We are also seeing growing recognition of the role event design plays in creating belonging and connection. Event professionals are looking beyond agendas and speakers to shape environments that foster community and meaningful interactions.
Designing for Human Needs was the most popular education track at IMEX Frankfurt this year, highlighting the industry’s appetite for more people-centered approaches.
Taken together, these trends point to a clear opportunity. The most successful events will combine strong business impact with purposeful, human-centered design—creating experiences that help people connect in person, find common ground and feel a genuine sense of belonging.





