IMEX America is a major trade show. It is the world’s largest conference, events and incentive travel show. Here you can simply walk across the aisle from New Zealand to Spain or South Africa to South Korea. You’ll also get to meet with senior representatives at each destination and companies that can help you do business there, which might save you multiple trips or hours of video calls.
The show is very intense, but the downside is that it can be overwhelming, especially for first-time attendees, but also for the most experienced attendees.
While larger shows in other fields may occupy more space, this one is streamlined. With almost no physical products on display, every square foot is used to hold meetings, attend education, or connect in some way.
The show has many fans. search #IMEX24 Use the hashtag on any social media platform to see the latest posts. This is where the show takes place Everyone yes. This is a must-see show for destination, hotel and event technology executives looking to build their sales pipeline.
Skift Conference at IMEX America
The Skift Meetings team will cover the show and host three key educational sessions. The Skift Conference Innovation Lab will be held on Monday, October 7th (2:30pm-4:30pm). This is an interactive planner-only event that addresses key industry topics by facilitating peer discussions. A team of expert facilitators will lead thematic dialogues. Registration is now open.
Tuesday, October 8 (12:00pm – 12:45pm) Skift Meetings Editor-in-Chief Miguel Neves will discuss “Revealing the Power of Super Data in Events” with other panelists Ken Holsinger, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Freeman, and Chloe Richardson, Senior Vice President of Growth and Communications at Explori. Led by expert presenter Kristin Arnold, this session will explore the data integrity driving today’s most impactful industry insights and reveal the strategies behind collecting and using high-quality data.
Skift Meetings will discuss the impact of the conference at a meeting at the Inspiration Hub on Wednesday, October 9 (1:30 to 2:15 pm). In Meaningful Meetings: Maximizing the Positive Impact of Events, we explore how the role of meetings and events goes beyond financial return to become powerful tools for social, environmental and economic impact. No registration is required and all IMEX America participants are welcome. This session is based on the recently released report Meaningful Meetings: A Primer’s Guide to Leveraging the Positive Impact of Meetings and Events. The report was produced in partnership with IMEX and sponsored by Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Tourism Toronto, Hilton, Vienna Convention Destinations, Snoball, Tourism Montreal and Visit Lauderdale. Download our free report created in partnership with IMEX.
basic knowledge
The exhibition is free to attend. Yes, the guest registration fee is $0. It is closed to the public, but anyone with a professional interest in meetings, events, incentives and related fields is welcome.
The show revolves around pre-qualified buyers making appointments with vendors at the show. Many buyers are hosted, which means IMEX covers airfare and hotel costs. Buyers and suppliers can use dedicated scheduling tools to coordinate appointments. In practice, this means that honest business conversations always take place in busy showrooms.
The exhibition lasts for three days (Tuesday to Thursday), and the exhibition opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (4:30 pm on the last day). On the Monday before the show’s official opening, there is a full day of educational activities including a number of sessions, including the Skift Meetings Innovation Lab. Some sessions are exclusive and by invitation only, but most are open to everyone, including various sessions as part of Smart Mondays powered by Meeting Professionals International (MPI).
There’s a lot going on outside the show, too. Some companies hold internal meetings or customer meetings, and associations hold board meetings during the show. There are also plenty of gatherings and social events, including breakfast, lunch and dinner during the show.
This all adds to a constant feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out). Even if you attend and are active at the show, you will never be able to meet everyone or attend all events in person. That’s why careful planning is important; these tips can help.
Before departure
1. Book your meeting in advance
Whether you’re a buyer or not, book a meeting with someone you can’t miss. They will also be very busy. So plan your time carefully and allow for meal breaks and other non-negotiable times.
2. View what’s playing
There will be plenty of gatherings taking place inside and outside the show, from side tours on Monday to keynotes and various social events. Make sure to explore these as you create your schedule and write it down in your journal.
3. Don’t make your schedule too full
It’s easy to hold back-to-back meetings throughout the day. If possible, avoid this situation. Things will pop up and having some wiggle room helps. You may also want to consider setting aside time in the first hour of the day to get your bearings.
4. Understand the exhibition hall
The layout of a showroom can be overwhelming, so take the time to get the hang of it. The numbers represent one direction and the letters represent the other, a clear logic. Due to irregular booth sizes, this is not a clean matrix and some numbers will skip. There are also unofficial areas. Hotels are grouped and so is event technology. Continents are also grouped.
5. Book adjacent meetings
Walking through the exhibit halls multiple times can definitely be exhausting. So when booking a conference, try to make back-to-back bookings with nearby exhibitors. When holding meetings, be sure to refer to the floor plan to ensure meetings are not too far apart.
6. Pre-connection
Don’t wait until you arrive on site to start making connections. Instead, connect with people online and start those important conversations. This will help you make the most of your time at the show.
7. Bring your business card
Whether you prefer physical or digital business cards, make sure you have them ready. Bring any other materials you need. Be prepared to do business.
8. Clean up your calendar
It can be tempting to try out a typical work week while attending a live show. Avoid this at all costs. Trying to do both at the same time is a sure recipe for disaster. If you invest time in attending a trade show, make sure you put your heart and soul into it. Do yourself a favor, set an out of office message, and show up.
9. Take care of yourself
Comfortable shoes are a must. Reusable water bottles are also a good idea. Consider eating a healthy snack, such as a bag of nuts, in case you need a boost of energy during those long days.
10. Stay in touch
You always want to be online in case your schedule changes or you want to find something. With this in mind, make sure you have a stable 5G connection or check for available Wi-Fi hotspots. Wi-Fi is available in many of the lounges and spaces within the showroom, so keep an eye out. You may also need to carry extra chargers and charging cables. You may run out of juice.
11. “Sweat”“
There are plenty of opportunities to work out with industry colleagues, which is a welcome change from the usual alcoholic beverage receptions that last until late. There is a 5-kilometer fun run – IMEXrun, which is very popular among healthy lifestyle enthusiasts. Other options include wellness experiences and some health education classes.
on site
12. Monday is Education Day
If you’re in Vegas on Monday, there are many educational classes you can take part in, even if you only arrive in the afternoon. Many are free and walk-ins are welcome. Please make sure to carry your IMEX badge with you.
13. Explore the showroom
Even for experts, navigating this show can be tricky. When you first arrive, take a few minutes to explore the showroom to get your bearings. If you haven’t made an appointment first, now is a good time to make one. Larger, taller booths are a good reference point; make sure you understand how your booths are numbered.
14. Find a lounge
If you register as a Hosted Buyer, you will have access to a dedicated Hosted Buyer Lounge. Use it. You can take some time off to recuperate, etc. Even if you don’t have access, there are many other seating areas around the showroom, all designed for your comfort. Don’t be afraid to use them.
15. Learning occurs primarily in the center of inspiration
The Inspiration Center (Booth #F234) is IMEX America’s primary area for educational content. The entire exhibition has more than 300 sessions. So if you have some free time, you can explore this area. Most sessions are open to observers, and formats such as campfires allow groups to network with top speakers and experts.
16. Learning also happens at the exhibition venue
This can be confusing at first, but there are many exhibitors offering educational content at their booths. It’s also a good idea to explore these options.
17. Keep sustainability in mind
IMEX is known for taking sustainability seriously, including sharing full reports for each show. This was demonstrated live at the Inspiration Center’s Humanity and Earth Theater. It’s well worth taking a few minutes to explore this space.
18. The IMEX team is here to assist you
If you need assistance, look for IMEX staff and partners wearing small white badges with the IMEX logo. They know the show intimately and are always ready to assist.
19. On-site self-care
Make sure to drink plenty of water. Vegas is in the desert and we tend to talk about it a lot at trade shows, so don’t let your throat dry out. We also encourage you to take part in the IMEX Wellness Challenge and be rewarded for taking good care of yourself at the show.
20. Get caffeine
There are plenty of coffee shops selling coffee around the hotel, but looking for delicious coffee at the larger stalls is a good option. These events are designed to attract buyers, so keep that in mind. Most exhibitors are happy to invite visitors for coffee, and some even invite creative baristas to demonstrate their skills.
21. Cocktails and mocktails
The show offers more than just coffee. Some stalls have fully stocked bars and attract buyers with signature cocktails and mocktails. These are great networking opportunities, so take advantage of them. Remember to pace yourself – IMEX is a marathon, not a sprint.
22.Lots of parties
On Tuesday and Wednesday late afternoon, from around 3pm, many of the stalls host parties and social receptions. This can be fun, but can also be noisy if you have a business appointment next door. Look out for fun activities and delicious dining.
23. Socializing after get off work
There are multiple parties taking place on the Las Vegas Strip every night of the week. Some are private or invite-only, but many have tickets available for purchase. The largest is the Rendezvous organized by the MPI Foundation at IMEX America. If there’s one networking event at the show that’s not to be missed, this is it.
24. Explore booth activation
Exhibitors use booth activation to attract buyers by showcasing some of the most exciting things their destination or brand has to offer. This manifests itself in many ways, from dancing to massage, from VR headsets to taking photos. So there’s a lot to explore in every corner of the show.
25. Request introduction
A top networking tip is to ask the people you meet to introduce you to others. This works well if you’ve already shared your goals or can be specific about the person you want to meet. Shows like IMEX America bring together industry professionals connected in a variety of ways. You never know who knows who, which is a great way to rely on serendipity to build your network.
26. Take advantage of the last day
The last day of the show, Thursday, was much busier than the previous two days. It’s no secret. But this has many advantages. While the education program continues in full swing, the aisles are less active. Exhibitors can have easier conversations with all attendees. Some of the best business and social events happen on this last day.
after the show
27. Don’t wait to follow up
No matter how you follow up – email, LinkedIn, Instagram or subscribing to a newsletter, but do it now. Whether you are exhibiting or just attending, continuing the conversation with IMEX America immediately after the show takes place is the best way to ensure that your investment in attending the show is not wasted.
28. Plans for next year
Save the date, or plan to attend IMEX Frankfurt. Remember all the things you loved and missed at IMEX America so you can make the most of your next show.
