IMEX America: All You Need To Know About This Meetings Expo

Here’s something of a paradox: imagine a professional trade show for event organizers and venues themselves? Where event and meeting planners take the role of exhibitors for a change? If this is something you’ve ever wondered about, you’ve come to the right place.

Enter IMEX America: the global events community’s very own global event. And by global we really do mean global, since the incentive travel industry takes part too!

Get your travel attire and business cards ready as we dive into another top Las Vegas trade show.

When And Where Is IMEX?

IMEX America 2026 will take place on 13-15 October 2026 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre, which is part of the Mandalay Bay Las Vegas Resort and Casino. The show is free to attend for industry professionals and students studying event management. Attendee registration continues right up until the end of the event.

Operated by MGM Resorts, Mandalay Bay Convention Centre boasts 2,100,000 square feet of exhibit space. It’s one of the largest event spaces in America and has recently undergone a $100 million renovation!

What Is IMEX All About?

IMEX America and IMEX Frankfurt are the two major annual events organized by IMEX Events. Since 2001, IMEX have focused on uniting the global meetings and events industry for better shows around the world.

Fast Facts

• The first IMEX America event was held in Las Vegas in 2011 at the Sands Expo Convention Centre, which is now the Venetian Expo Centre.
• Over 2,000 exhibitors were present, and this number has since grown to a whopping 3,500 exhibitors at IMEX America 2024!
• In 2017, IMEX America’s estimated economic impact on Las Vegas was $23.7 million.
• Over 150 countries were represented by exhibitors in 2024.
• The 2024 show used 7% more exhibit space compared with 2023.
• More than 1,600 people attended learning sessions at the IMEX 2024 Inspiration Hub.
• Exhibitors represent 3,500 companies from over 150 countries at IMEX America.

What Can You Expect From IMEX America?

In addition to all the high-quality buyer-supplier business meetings you’ll have, there’ll be over 150 specialist education sessions where you can continue your professional development. This free professional education program includes case studies, panel discussions, and spotlight talks on what’s changing in the global meetings industry.

It’s a dynamic, globally focused event packed with curated education, cutting-edge trends, and intensive networking opportunities, all set in the energetic backdrop of Las Vegas.

Exhibitors

Attendees can expect to engage with these key players on the IMEX trade show floor:

• Hotel and resort owners
• National tourism associations (just like WTM London in the UK)
• Sports venues
• Cruise operators
• Trade show venue owners and operators

Events

There’s more than just exhibits to check out at IMEX:

Free Professional Education Program

Level up your skills and earn education credit while doing it, all at IMEX. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP), and ICCASkills accreditations are up for grabs.

IMEXrun

Now a longstanding tradition, the IMEXrun is a 5km fun run in downtown Vegas. Bring a colleague and get outside; you don’t have to sprint.

IMEX Well-being Challenge

Take part in various well-being activities and stand a chance of earning some prizes. You’d be surprised how competitive the activities get!

Take Your IMEX America Booth To The Next Level

And that’s IMEX: an award-winning show for the event planners, venue owners, and incentive travel buyers. It’s the largest trade show of its kind in America with exceptional opportunities for business development.

Need an exhibition stand builder for business events like IMEX? Let Booth Exhibits™ be your strategic partner for trade show booth success. Our custom trade show booths might just blow your socks off!