When the first edition of IMEX America opens its doors at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., on October 11, 2011, the tradeshow will be the largest this year – and the biggest hosted buyer event ever in the U.S. to address the business, networking and educational needs of the US meetings, incentive travel and events industry. “We have spent almost two years communicating why the IMEX business model is different and precisely how and why it will benefit the meetings industry in the U.S.,” said Ray Bloom, IMEX Chairman. “Business is at the heart of everything we do and the reason why we launched IMEX America in the first place. We believed that the US needed a fresh tradeshow format, and I have every confidence that IMEX America will now deliver – on business volumes, buyer quality and numbers, and exhibitor numbers and diversity.”
“With the help of our strategic partner and premier education provider, MPI, our education program is second to none,” said Bloom. “With unparalleled industry support we’ve also been able to deliver an extraordinary 14 co-located trade association events. I’m confident that the sum of the parts is going to be greater than the whole and I urge everyone in the meetings, events and incentive travel to come to Vegas and experience ‘the IMEX effect’ on their business goals for themselves.”
- More than 1,800 exhibitors are representing 100 countries
- More than 90 live educational events confirmed
- MPI announces speaker line-up for Smart Monday
- Online diary and scheduling tools now live
- Wild Card and TechnoHow Zone award winners announced
- Forums and Meetings to Share Thought Leadership with Industry
- New Industry & Association Partnerships Unveiled
- Las Vegas Gives a Warm Welcome to the Industry
- IMEX America Is Going Green in the Desert
“We couldn’t be more excited to see this event come to life in Las Vegas with our long-time partner, IMEX,” said Bruce MacMillan, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). “We look forward to connecting with thousands of professionals through our innovative education programs and keynotes each day. We’re confident that attendees will find inspiring ideas they can act on at the show and throughout their careers, which is exactly the remarkable professional development MPI consistently delivers.”
IMEX America will be marked by an extraordinary diversity of exhibiting companies from all over the world. Exhibitors representing the North American market include 66 cities, regions and destinations who will be taking their own booths, including Anchorage, Boston, Canada, Chicago, Colorado, Hawaii, LA Inc, Las Vegas, Memphis, Monterey County, New Orleans, NYC, Orlando/ Orange County, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Scottsdale, St Louis, Texas, Travel Portland, Visit Florida, Washington DC and Yosemite. Hundreds of private sector companies, service providers, DMCs and hotel groups will also be exhibiting from the U.S.
African and Middle Eastern exhibitors at IMEX America will comprise Discovery Travel Jordan, Dubai, the Morocco Tourist Board and South African Tourism. A significant Asia Pacific representation includes Australia, Beijing, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Seoul, Tahiti and Thailand.
Several Latin American destinations will also be among the show’s varied exhibitor line-up, including Argentina, Panama, Columbia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. From the Caribbean, Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico will all be taking their own booths; whilst Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Star and Crystal are just four of the 11 cruise companies having booths at the show.
Taking a fifth of the overall space at the show are 24 European destinations, such as Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, London & Partners, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and Visit Britain – to name just a few.
