What’s New at IMEX America

IMEX America Resource Hub

Northstar Meetings Group’s IMEX Resource Hub, sponsored by Visit Orlando, provides event professionals with all they need to know about the premier gathering for the meetings and events industry. Find essential information about the show, including safety requirements, the latest news, exhibitor and agenda details here.

Every IMEX America event offers new and innovative ways for meetings industry professionals to connect and build business, and this year is no exception. 

"We've evolved and refined different elements of the show over the years as the sector itself has changed, notably introducing more experiential activities, new education formats and well-being options," says Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group. "I think the biggest difference lies in what you can't really see. Yes, the way the show looks and feels is different — it's become more beautiful, more visually impressive and a lot, lot larger. But it's the way that exhibitors and buyers now understand and use the show as a powerful business tool that's the most important development."

Repeat attendees will surely appreciate the new host venue for this year's event: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, one of the best-known hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. 

"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," says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. "This, of course, includes meeting the latest health and safety requirements. Mandalay Bay has now improved its ventilation system with air replaced 12 times an hour — the same as in an ICU! We're also making creative use of our new location, and attendees can expect some exciting and unusual elements."

Indeed, Mandalay Bay provides some new settings for IMEX America. The Be Well Lounge, for example, will be located at Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef Aquarium, which is home to more than 2,000 marine creatures, including sharks, giant rays and sea turtles — a visually stunning backdrop for IMEX America's expert-led well-being sessions.

Also new this year is the People & Planet Village. "For several years we've had a dedicated area on the IMEX America show floor to champion and tell stories about sustainability," says Bauer. "This year, we've reimagined this space to create a new focal point, not only championing sustainability but also diversity, social impact and giving back. This new space will be called the People & Planet Village and will feature an educational campfire dedicated to sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the chance to take part in activities to support the local community."

The People & Planet Village also serves as the "construction site" for Luna's Clubhouse, a project from the KLH Group that invites attendees to help build a play space for Luna, a child with pediatric cancer.

As in previous years, sustainability is a major focus for this year's event. "At IMEX, we're on a mission to ensure event planners all over the planet ask for green or greener products and to ensure suppliers list them too," Bauer says. "We collaborate closely with our sustainability consultants, MeetGreen, and our venues in Frankfurt and Las Vegas to ensure we align with industry standards, including the Events Industry Council and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We want responsible consumption and production to sit front and center of each show. This year, as we move IMEX America to our new venue, we're teaming up with Mandalay Bay to continue maximizing our efforts."