The show – celebrating its 10th edition at a new venue, Mandalay Bay – marks an important moment when the global events community can reconnect and celebrate meeting again face to face at a live event.
Registration for the show has had a very strong start – just one month after registration went live for IMEX America in Las Vegas this November, hosted buyer demand was higher than at the same point in 2019. Visitor buyers are also markedly more senior (by role) than at the same point in 2019.
Likewise, there has been strong demand from suppliers from the offset, with both North American and international exhibitors returning to the show in force, as well as the major hotel groups. North American destinations including Canada, Argentina, Atlanta, Boston, Santa Barbara, Indianapolis, Los Cabos, Memphis, Santa Fe, Puerto Rico and Vancouver are all confirmed.
Hotels were among the first to book with Hyatt, Four Seasons, Wyndham Hotel Group, Hilton, Associated Luxury Hotels and Sonesta Hotels & Resorts all committed.
Representation from the rest of the world currently includes Italy, Singapore, Jamaica, Dubrovnik, St Petersburg, Vienna, Brussels and Hawaii
Learning opportunities throughout
It wouldn’t be IMEX America without a solid, topical education programme woven in. There are learning opportunities throughout the show, beginning with Smart Monday, powered by MPI – a free, full day of learning taking place on 8 November, the day before IMEX America begins.
Smart Monday headliners include Janet Sperstad, Faculty Director at Madison College and Guy Bigwood, Managing Director of the Global Destination Sustainability Movement who together will discuss the regenerative revolution; Daniel Fox, an intrepid wilderness explorer, author and nature photographer, shares his off the grid experiences; Ruud Janssen and Roel Frissen founders of the Event Design Collective examine future-focused thinking and David Allison founder of Valuegraphics explains why it’s values – not demographics – that influence behaviour and will prove the most powerful driver in the event industry’s regeneration.
There are also tailor-made opportunities for corporate and association planners to meet, connect and learn at the Executive Meeting Forum and Association Leadership Forum as well as sessions from IAEE, EIC and MPI, plus She Means Business a joint event by IMEX and tw magazine, supported by MPI.
Each day begins with an MPI keynote. Movers and shakers from outside the business event industry will each bring their unique world view to the show – expect an award-winning Harvard-trained doctor, one of the ‘most likeable authors in the world’ plus the founder of a global dance movement and community.
The Inspiration Hub is once again home to show floor education, delivering a packed scheduled of learning opportunities curated into new tracks designed to address the business needs of late 2021: Creativity in communication; Diversity and accessibility; Innovation and tech; Professional development and upskilling; Purposeful recovery; Sustainability and nature.
New: People & Planet Village
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, says: “We’re working closely with our new venue – Mandalay Bay – to deliver a show that’s rooted in business opportunities as well as delivering top notch learning and memorable moments. We’re making creative use of our new location and attendees can expect some unusual new elements.”
These include our new People & Planet Village – a focal point for the show championing not only sustainability but also diversity, social impact and giving back. It will feature a shared educational campfire area dedicated to sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion as well as the chance to take part in activities that support the Las Vegas community.
The People & Planet Village is also where the KLH Clubhouse will be built during the show. There are few things more meaningful than supporting a sick child and bringing smiles to young faces.. Over the three days of the show, the KLH Group will build a Clubhouse, a special play space, for Luna, a child with paediatric cancer. IMEX America attendees are invited to roll up their sleeves and help with the building effort. Once complete, the clubhouse will be delivered to Luna’s kindergarten ensuring that hundreds of children will benefit.
Wellbeing moments flow throughout the show and attendees can participate in expert-led wellbeing sessions at the new Be Well Lounge. This year’s venue is a little different – Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef which houses more than 2,000 creatures including sharks, giant rays and green sea turtles providing a spectacular and calming backdrop.
Carina Bauer concludes: “We’re now firmly on the road to Mandalay Bay and can’t wait to welcome back the business event community to IMEX America. The past 18 months have been a period of tumultuous change and the current business landscape looks very different to 2019. We’re mindful of both protecting and leveraging the show’s strong business legacy while making sure we offer the market an event experience that’s fit for the times we’re all working in. Everyone wants new ideas, fresh content, more momentum, more connections and more memorable experiences and IMEX America has been carefully designed to deliver all this while making sure it’s safe but not sterile.”
Tags: Argentina, Atlanta, Boston, Canada, IMEX America, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara
