IMEX America 2022 is reportedly set to be one of its largest editions since its launch in 2011. According to a press release, over 3,000 global buyers and more than 3,000 exhibiting companies have already confirmed their attendance.
These numbers, IMEX officials are convinced, suggest “a confidence-boosting bounce-back for the global meetings, incentive travel and business events industry”.
With thousands of event professionals set to gather October 10 – 13 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, the show would hence soon demonstrate its “bellwether credentials, giving everyone in the sector an accurate picture of business volumes and pipelines in 2023 and beyond”.
Business always takes pride of place at the show – tens of thousands of appointments are said to have already been booked by buyers to meet suppliers. Increased engagement from previous and new North American exhibitors would mean that this year’s USA edition of the show will also be the largest ever.
Boston, Detroit, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia and San Diego will be among the line-up. MGM, meanwhile, will give an update on the remodelling of its convention center. Global destinations from across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East make a return to the show, many having been unable to attend in 2021. They include Abu Dhabi, Australia, Bahamas, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey and New Zealand. Ras Al Khaimah is among the destinations exhibiting for the first time.
North and South America are strongly represented with Brazil, Buenos Aires, Canada, Costa Rica and Ecuador among others. Panama will use IMEX America to announce details of its new convention center, hotel openings and forthcoming cruise terminal.
Major hotel groups will be present including Accor, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International.
With the event technology sector changing rapidly in recent years, attendees can discover a wide range of providers offering event platforms, chatbots, analytics and apps among other solutions. Bizzabo, Cvent, EventMobi, ExpoPlatform, Grip, MeetingPlay + Aventri + eventcore, Eventsforce, Swapcard and Vfairs are among the exhibiting companies. The show’s Tech Hub is the focal point for upcoming start-ups in the sector.
The learning program of well over 100 sessions has also been simplified and redesigned to complement and enhance show floor meetings.
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, says: “Our 2021 come-back show was invested with an air of sheer celebration and excitement as the global industry reunited. This year, the business fundamentals are what stand out. If our numbers are anything to go by, then despite strong macro pressures, including inflation and talent shortages, the bounce-back could be even stronger and more robust than forecasts predict.”
IMEX America 2022 takes place at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, and opens with Smart Monday, powered by MPI on Monday October 10, followed by the three-day trade show October 11-13.
