Inaugural IMEX America Expected to Put Good Numbers on the Board
Inaugural IMEX America Expected to Put Good Numbers on the Board
Organizers of IMEX America, the new US trade show for the worldwide incentive travel, meetings and events industry, have revealed more details about the full business, networking and educational lineup scheduled for the debut show October 11-13 at the Sands Expo and Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas.
The trade show is set to welcome 1,500 exhibitors, with a broad representation of companies from many countries around the world and across all meetings and incentive travel industry sectors.
Thanks to the reputation and proven success of the IMEX hosted buyer model - which has been used at IMEX in Frankfurt over the past nine years - IMEX America will host over 2,000 meetings and events buyers from the US and internationally.
IMEX Group Chairman, Ray Bloom, also confirms that the ratio of buyers remains at 80% from the US market - who plan business internationally - and 20% from the international buyer market who will have a strong interest in placing business with North American exhibitors.
In addition, thousands of buyer attendees from the US domestic market are expected to take part in IMEX America attracted by the organizer’s promise to deliver ‘more than just a trade show’ with - unlike most US shows - free entry and a free education program, plus unmatched networking and business opportunities.
The week of IMEX America will start with ‘Smart Monday’ on October 10 - which will be dedicated solely to professional education - followed by the three-day trade show and 14 major co-located industry events.
Strengthening the value of the IMEX America week, IMEX has announced powerful industry partnerships for the show including an exclusive Strategic Partnership with Meeting Professionals International (MPI), endorsement of the show by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) and Site, and an exclusive partnership with the US Travel Association (USTA).
Among the 1,500 exhibitors at IMEX America will be a large proportion of US destinations and suppliers. Among the largest will be Las Vegas and its partners at over 4,000 square feet. California and Hawaii and its partners will each have areas of over 1,500 square feet.
Other North American exhibitors will include Washington DC, Denver, Canada, Colorado, San Francisco, Atlantic City, Boston, LA Inc, Miami, San Diego, NYC, Denver and New Orleans. Many other cities are also taking part in the trade show, with regions such as Bloomington, Monterey County, Tahoe North, Palm Springs, Wyoming and Telluride also represented.
Latin America has also shown a strong appetite for space, with Mexico, Argentina, Panama and Costa Rica all confirmed. Caribbean exhibitors too will be out in force including the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Another point of difference for IMEX America is the show’s unique online appointment and diary system. By putting buyers and exhibitors in direct touch and in full control of their own marketing and communications prior to the show via an on-line scheduling tool, organizers have proved they can generate high volumes of business.
IMEX America’s strategic partner and premier educational provider, MPI, has great things in store for participants having created dedicated educational programs to run alongside the trade show, as well as providing a series of keynotes to be delivered each morning before the show opens. All education is provided free of charge to buyers and suppliers and will offer full CEU credits.
