THIS PAST OCT. 11–13 IN LAS VEGAS, THE MOST anticipated new industry event of the year finally opened its doors tomore than 3,700 attendees and hosted buyers from more than 50 countries, among an overall attendance of 7,500. IMEX America, a spinoff of the successful IMEX exhibition held in Frankfurt, brings the same energetictrade show model focused on worldwide meetings, events, and incentive travel to theUnited States. With dynamic educa- tional content provided by industry partners such as Meeting Professionals International (MPI), a trade show powered by a unique appointment system, and 14 co-located
BytheNumbers: IMEXAmerica2011
14 co-located events took place before and after the show. 2,050 people downloaded the IMEX app.
1,867 companies representing 147 countries exhibited at the show; 800 of these exhibitors were U.S. companies and destinations.
53 percent of the 2,000 hosted buyers who attended IMEXAmerica claimbudgets in excess of $1 million.
More than 90 professional-development sessions were offered, the majority of which were complimentary.
AMERICA
After a year of anticipation, IMEX America surpasses expectations in Las Vegas.
events—including the PCMAInternational Summit—the three-day event is already shaping up to be a pioneering force in the industry. “What a fantastic couple of days,” said Tom Ernsting, the
MandarinOrientalHotelGroup’s director of groupmarket sales for the Americas. “TheU.S.MICE market just received a huge push forward thanks to IMEX. This event has liter- ally changed the industry.” One of the biggest reasons behind the success of IMEX
America is a unique online appointment systemthat— instead of matching buyers and suppliers through an auto- matedmatchmaking system— allows buyers to directly pick and choose with whom theymeet. This year, more than 30,000 appoint- ments weremade prior to the show between buyers and exhibitors through the system. “I amparticularly impressed by
the efficient appointment system,” said Jennifer Toner, sourcingman- ager forMaxvantage. “Face-to-face is so essential for good business, and the one-on-one opportunities allow formore in-depth information gath- ering.” In addition to making deals and
connections, IMEXAmerica atten- dees could choose from more than 90 professional-development sessions— the majority of which were compli-