IMEX America, which took place Oct. 17-19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, hosted a record 15,000 buyers, visitors and exhibitors. The 2023 event marked the meetings industry trade show's 12th edition.
The 5,000 buyers, including 4,000 hosted buyers, took part in more than 80,000 prescheduled meetings with exhibitors, marking another milestone for IMEX America.
The IMEX team also reported year-over-year increases of 20 percent in contracted exhibit space and 9 percent in the number of booths, for a total of 360 booths. Among the 65 new exhibitors were the Mexican Caribbean; Santa Clara, Calif.; Greenville, S.C., and Ho Chi Minh City.
"I’m delighted the industry turned out in such strong numbers from across the globe this week and that IMEX America once again provided a carefully designed platform for everyone to come together for business, building better human connections around the world, growing and learning from each other," noted IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer. "This was our biggest show ever — which was clear from the fact you couldn’t see the edges anymore!"
Education sessions were presented on one end of the exhibit hall floor in the Inspiration Hub, a low-lit, comparatively tranquil area sponsored by WebEx. The collection of presentation lounges and stages featured an open plan of theaters, the "Wellbeing Wheel," the Google Xi CoLaboratory and the IMEX|EIC People and Planet Theater.
AI and event technology were key talking points among exhibitors and buyers. AI-themed sessions drew crowds, indicating a hunger for information — although, according to IMEX, anecdotal reports suggest that so far, few companies are using it at an enterprise level. Event security was another hot topic, as was related concern over travel to the Middle East and nearby destinations, in light of the intensifying Israel-Hamas war.
There was also buzz about the themes of sustainability, well-being and belonging, with the Google Xi Colaboratory sessions in particular addressing the importance of creating a welcoming, positive environment for a diverse range of attendees.
Looking ahead, IMEX America 2024 is set for Oct. 8-10, to be held again at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
