Billed as the largest gathering of decision makers within the meeting markets of the world, IMEX held their convention at the Sands Expo at The Venetian I The Palazzo October 16-18, 2018. IMEX is an Association that offers educational and networking opportunities to the leaders engaged in coordinating incentive travel, meetings and events around the world.
The IMEX mission is to unite the meeting industry with innovative programs, shows and conventions that provide educational experiences featuring the most responsive approaches for profitable connections, marketing and client experiences.
The IMEX concept was launched in September 2001 with the first show held in Frankfurt April 2003, IMEX America premiered in October 2011 with its first Las Vegas Convention. In 2011 the first education program offered 30 seminars, the 2018 program in October at The Sands will feature over 200 seminars delving into all aspects of growing the incentive travel and meetings planning industry.
IMEX America is responding to the industry changes by continuing to grow the essential personal relationships that are key to business success. The IMEX Group initiatives include, advocacy, CSR, career development, recognition of excellence all with the focus on uniting and advancing the meetings industry.
The worldwide focus of IMEX America in Las Vegas, October 16-18, 2018 included over 13,000 total participants, 3,500 exhibiting companies from 150 countries, over 70,000 pre-scheduled appointments, over 3,300 hosted buyers from 61 countries, as well as 2566 trade attendees.
As an attendee participant your opportunities include educational resources with connections throughout the global meeting industry. Inspirational exhibitors will present fresh ideas from experts and innovators focused on networking opportunities. As a meeting and events professional IMEX America gives you direct access to suppliers, new venues throughout the cities of the world, as well as the latest tech providers for planning the most intricate meetings and events.
IMEX America draws the entire spectrum of event professionals from every sector and discipline. Attendees plan their agenda to take advantage of the over 250 educational and networking events that feature fresh ideas from speakers throughout the industry who explore the latest techniques to keep your stake in the meetings and event industry growing. Free programs for attendees included event tech, enhancing professional skills, expanding opportunities through networking, connecting with peers and enjoying inspirational keynote presentations on the future of the industry.
The types of industry breaking discussions for event and planning professionals at IMEX America included Campfires- small informal sessions with a speaker and your peers in an interactive discussion to explore topics in depth.
Hot Topic Tables - peer to peer small discussions moderated by an expert in the topic where their relevancy can be explored with other professionals.
Expert Clinics offered one to one session with IMEX speakers to fully explore a topic offered at a presentation.
The Research Pod allowed an exploration of the latest industry research from experts in small group sessions. Discuss and explore the changing trends affecting the industry with peers and researchers.
The Play Room was one of the most popular interactive educational forums for the industry professional. The Play Room allowed attendees to experience and play with a variety of tools and techniques designed to make meetings more interactive. The Play Room was powered by Play with a Purpose.
Hot at IMEX America October 2018 was the Live Zone. In the Live Zone participants experienced live event entertainment supported by Michael Cerbelli’s: The Hot List.
At IMEX America the events were endless. Monday October 15, 2018 was Smart Monday, Complimentary cutting-edge professional development powered by MPI open to everyone who was attending IMEX America October 16 -18, 2018. Smart Monday was a full day of free educational and networking program before IMEX America started with special keynote speakers, instructions, seminars and hands on experiences. Smart Monday also featured the Association Leadership Forum, educational and networking for association leaders created by ASAE.
Monday Night featured the signature SITE Foundation Event with over 1200 colleagues at the Broadway Bowl at The Ling to raise funds for the SITE foundation, while forging new connections, strengthening business relationships, meeting peers, buyers, and suppliers.
2018 IMEX America highlighted the show themes of Legacy, Event Tech, Be Well at IMEX, Live and Experiential as well as CSR and Sustainability. The 2018 IMEX America was a comprehensive well-rounded experience for everyone associated with the events and meeting planning industry. There was something for everyone, from the novice to the 30-year professional, buyers, sellers, providers and suppliers were are all represented at IMEX America 2018.
