IMEX AMERICA I

f you haven’t already attended IMEX America, you may be intrigued by the stir it’s caused among meeting professionals all across North America. Since its launch

in 2011, the expo has re-energized the meet- ings, events, and incentive travel markets in the United States, and is now oficially the largest trade show in the country to serve this industry. IMEX America takes place each October at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. The three-day trade show is preceded by an eight-hour, pre-show day of

free professional education — called Smart Monday — and also offers daily morning key- notes and education sessions on the show floor, as well as countless networking events. This year, 2,400 hosted buyers, 1,700

attendees, and more than 2,400 exhibiting companies participated in IMEX America. The show delivered the equivalent of 12 days of free professional education, plus numerous co-located events, including corporate board meetings and association events. Thousands of business-ready buyers from all over the

North America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings, and events

world, including the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America appreciate the exten- sive, free education program, the eficiency of the IMEX online appointment system, and a suite of other benefits — including the hosted- buyer lounge, free Wi-Fi, the IMEX App, and a professional, friendly support team.

SURVEYS SHOW APPETITE FOR IMEX A 2012 exit survey of 650 hosted buyers found that more than 50 percent expect to place future orders — worth between