LAS VEGAS– IMEX America, the largest trade show in the United States for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry, closed its 11th edition last week with the announcement of impressive figures.
The four-day show at the Mandalay Bay The Las Vegas show, held October 10-13, attracted 12,000 visitors, including more than 4,000 buyers, surpassing last year’s number of international exhibitors. Of those who doubled the size of their booths, 24% came from North America, 23% from hotel groups, 15% from Europe and 12% from Asia.
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IMEX Chairman Ray Bloom said: “The size of this year’s show is obviously linked to the fact that many in the industry can travel and hold meetings with confidence again. This show has been a long time coming and, while we had a great show last year, this week felt like the big comeback we’ve all been waiting for.”
He noted that the 2022 edition was 45% larger than last year due to an easing of travel restrictions and 40% of returning exhibitors taking up more space on their stands.
“That’s not to say there are still challenges. It also seems that buyers are becoming more demanding,” he said. “We’ve heard that they’re preparing their tenders in more detail and are more rigorous in their selection criteria.”
The evidence came in the form of confirmed cases at the IMEX show. Tourism in Ireland confirmed deals worth 10 million euros during the show and Destination DC has secured the American Distilling Association event for 2026. Exhibitors have reported deals through 2028, according to Bloom.
Education
Education was a key feature of IMEX 2022, which welcomed over 1,600 attendees to its Smart Monday, powered by International meetings of professionals (MPI).
Bauer said IMEX was careful to provide content that was grounded in current industry issues. “We made sure to look at what was relevant to the new world we’re living in. So we had a number of sessions focused on topics like supply chain issues, budgeting and inflation. But at the same time, as always, there was a strong focus on wellbeing, sustainability, mental health, diversity and inclusion.”
Sustainability
At IMEX, Bauer explained that in addition to being awarded MeetGreenVisionary Status and Income Trade Fair ManagerBy winning the Grand Prix for Most Outstanding Green Initiatives for the 2021 show, IMEX America has achieved Platinum Certification from the Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Events Standards.
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IMEX has called on all stakeholders to commit to championing social impact and environmental responsibility at the show by taking itsCommitment to people and planetExhibitors who signed the pledge received a green booth number and were included in a listing of IMEX-EIC’s People and Planet Village, which was a section of the show showcasing resources, tools and innovations to promote social and environmental responsibility. Clean the world was on hand and donated remaining hotel amenities to be distributed by the Las Vegas Shade Tree Shelter for Women and Children.
During the show James Rees, chairman of the Joint Industry Council Meetingsannounced the start of phase 2 of Net Zero Carbon Events which will launch its Net Zero Roadmap for the Events Industry at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on November 11, 2022.
Some 225 operators have signed the Commitment to net-zero carbon events since its launch at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, committing to publish before the end of 2023 its organisation’s trajectory to achieve net zero by 2050, with an interim target of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
The Joint Meetings Industry Council coordinates and organizes the campaign for the sector worldwide. The number of organizations supporting it has grown from 21 in September 2021 to 409 in September this year.
DEIB
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) were also a focus of IMEX. Event Leader Exchange (ELX) At IMEX, concrete initiatives were announced to help event professionals deliver DEIB-integrated trade show environments, including Project Neu, which promotes new, practical inclusion tactics for neurodivergent communities. Project Neu began with a small group of event leaders and neurodivergent voices at Google in early 2022. By the time it launched in October, it had grown to a community of over 80 direct contributors and hundreds of friends around the world.
The Neu Project explores the theme of neurodiversity and helps create events that Phase 1 of Project Neu provides training and resources to event professionals to enable them to speak the language of neurodiversity and enable them to promote acceptance and advocacy within their teams and organizations.
Practical tools include “The Event Professional’s Guide to Neuroinclusion” and “The Neuroinclusive Event Checklist,” a framework to help event professionals make inclusive choices when planning shows. Both tools are now available on www.theneuproject.com
“From our Smart Monday One Voice program to the Google Experience Institute’s NEU project, we are all being asked to understand that events and event designs have excluded too many people for too long,” Bauer said.
Technology
Innovation was another focal point of the show, particularly Bis“Break Free” is an immersive and interactive experience focused on connection, inspiration and collaboration. The experience used technology to foster personal relationships and partnerships.
Europalco, an events company based in Lisbon, Portugal, was also present at IMEX America, demonstrating how technological innovation, such as large-format holograms with remote speakers, can make events more sustainable and enrich the on-site experience. Technologies such as projection mapping on monuments, 3D projection boxes, flying screens, 360-degree circular displays, augmented reality and LED murals were used.
Another company, 6Connex, a provider of in-person, virtual and hybrid events, announced at the show the launch of Eventory Check-In, an addition to a suite of mobile event apps that allow trade show organizers to seamlessly manage event check-in by scanning an attendee’s ticket, QR code or registration information.
International Destinations (ID)also announced at IMEX its newDestination Booking Agreement (DBA)a client agreement document used by a CVB/destination organization when planning a future meeting or convention. It has also launched a new toolkit that establishes mutually acceptable terms to protect both the planner and the destination.
IMEX America 2023 will take place October 17-19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Contact Carina Bauer at carina.bauer@imexexhibitions.com
