by Katherine Markham, CHME, Co-Founder, ConventionPlanit.com
IMEX America returns to Las Vegas from October 6-9, 2025. Ahead of the industry’s major global tradeshow, we discussed current trends and highlights what sets this event apart.
Your dedication to our industry’s development on a global scale is extraordinary. What makes IMEX America so successful?
Our emphasis spans from design to education, prioritizing the advancement of the global industry. We aim to create an environment where individuals want to attend by choice rather than obligation. In collaboration with our partners, we enhance awareness, foster participation, and advance educational opportunities. We even encourage participating planners to bring their RFPs to the tradeshow. This integrated ecosystem fosters professional networking, facilitates business transactions, and provides engaging experiences.
How does IMEX America affect positive changes in our industry?
Values lead the way for long-term impact, with education sessions that focus on topics like mental health and well-being. Experiential sharing and educational tracks prepare future leaders and expose them to various career paths.
What are the takeaways for planners and suppliers?
It’s a one-stop shop basically, bringing together all sectors of our industry in one place. The tradeshow
offers professionals a wide range of global suppliers. And with 25% of international planners present,
meeting professionals can also exchange ideas and innovations with their global peers.
During IMEX America this year, MPI’s keynote speakers are focused on human connection, well-being and macroeconomics. Do you consider this to be a theme for this year? What topics are trending?
Leadership and organizational culture remain central themes, alongside our Talking Point, IMPACT 2.0. Key trends identified at the Frankfurt show last spring included growing attention to artificial intelligence and budgeting, as well as their implications for the workforce. Accordingly, we have incorporated sessions designed to address matters relevant to all participants.
Your association and corporate education tracks offer sessions for every experience level. Can you tell us how the ‘Executive Meeting Forum’ is different?
Yes, it was launched in 2011. It serves 50-60 major corporate meeting professionals who run the global or regional meeting departments of companies with revenues over $100 million, in an afternoon of curated, relevant topics and facilitated conversation.
What is Smart Monday about and who should attend?
This is a dedicated pre-show education day exclusively for meeting professionals, providing an uninterrupted environment for learning. MPI delivers 60% of the educational sessions. The event attracts around 1,500 participants, of which 60% are planners, as well as savvy suppliers.
With 65% of planners with over $1 million in meeting and event business, what are the qualifications for meeting professionals to attend and why?
Planners who organize meetings are eligible to attend the event as buyers. North American planners may be hosted if they arrange meetings both within and beyond North America. International planners as well may be hosted if they hold meetings inside North America.
A reported 95% of students who attended an IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum were more likely to enter the meetings and hospitality industry. Can you elaborate on your success in uncovering and coaching future leaders?
Over the past 20 years we have educated over 5,000 university students across the world as a part of the Future Leaders Forums that take place at IMEX, MPI and other partner events. A recent survey showed that 95% reported feeling welcomed and expressed greater interest in careers in meetings and hospitality as a result of attending. With two decades of mentoring, we actively encourage and support industry career growth.
