Reported by Maureen Pickell, CTC | Director of Global Accounts & Media Relations | ConventionPlanit.com
IMEX America 2025 – “The super bowl of the events Industry”
Coined by Steve Hill, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Association CEO and President, the above tagline accurately summarizes the biggest ever edition of IMEX America, held October 7–9 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The exhibition welcomed 17,683 participants with 6,145 global buyers of which 4,700 were hosted. 3,700 exhibiting companies representing 80+ countries took part in over 92,000 scheduled meetings with planners – over 77,000 of which were pre-scheduled one-to-ones along with group appointments and presentations.
The ConventionPlanit.com team (Katherine & David Markham and Maureen Pickell) networked with both planners and suppliers to talk details and establish valuable connections. In this volatile time for our industry, it was uplifting to be part of an endeavor that proves our global business events community continues facing firmly forward!
As usual, the hall presented sessions and exhibits that were thought-provoking, immersive and multi-sensory. For example, CP.com supplier partner Visit Anchorage presented a striking digital display featuring Alaska’s iconic scenery that had the power to make every attendee stop and stare! Walking the aisles meant dodging performers in sparkling outfits, feathered headgear and more sedately attired wandering robots.
And, when the educational sessions, the networking and the “doing business by the mile” across the biggest exhibition floor to date became overwhelming, there was a Resilience Room just outside the hall to “foster the physical, emotional and mental well-being of attendees” by emphasizing soul over mind.
To best summarize this important event, I usually end with a quote by the CEO and “down-to-earth” team leader of the IMEX organization, Carina Bauer:
“This has been a record-breaking week where we’ve seen first-hand how transformative it is for our industry to meet face to face, to shake hands, do business and build bonds. The strength in numbers across the board is a sign of a sector that’s both purposeful and powerful right now.”
Carina Bauer, CEO IMEX
IMEX America continues to offer an incomparable opportunity to make connections in the meetings, events and incentive industry. Save the date – October 13–15, 2026 and see you next year at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center!
