IMEX America 2023 — Time to Start Planning

August 21, 2023

IMEX America 2023 may not kick off until October, but it’s never too soon to start mapping out your show plan for what many consider to be the must-attend show for event organizers.

IMEX America 2023 is coming to Las Vegas Oct. 17–19, but the time is now to start breaking in those new show shoes — it will be here before you know it. Arguably the event industry’s premier show, IMEX America last year drew more than 12,000 event and hospitality professionals to its three-day exhibition, education at Smart Monday and throughout the week, and the always-talked-about networking events held in conjunction with IMEX, including SITE NITE and the MPI Foundation Rendezvous.

Just weeks after opening registration, thousands of buyers had already registered, and 40 new exhibiting companies had already signed on. Event technology companies, a rapidly growing sector, also will be on hand to showcase the latest in artificial intelligence (AI), chatbots, analytics and apps.

In addition to acres of exhibitions from hotel companies and destinations around the world, IMEX America, and its sister show, IMEX Frankfurt, held in Germany each spring, also are known for showcasing some of the industry’s best practices in everything from sustainability to educational design to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The IMEX America 2023 program will include sessions addressing both the personal and the professional to recognize and celebrate the power of human connections, according to Tahira Endean, Head of Programming at the IMEX Group. The format also will be changed up, she adds. “This year we’re testing plenty of new short-form formats; we’ve challenged our speakers to create presentations that are engaging and instantly usable to meet the new ways that people want to learn or consume information. Short. Snappy. Entertaining. Easy to remember and digest … these are the buzzwords of our education programming right now.”

Smart Monday, a full day of educational programming powered by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and held the day before the show floor opens for business, offers tracks for corporate planners, association leaders, and women industry professionals through She Means Business. Each day of the show also kicks off with a keynote session, also sponsored by MPI. In all, there will be more than 150 educational sessions across six tracks: technology and innovation; trends and research; people and planet; business practices; experience design; and event marketing. Registration for Smart Monday, and all of IMEX America’s programming, is free to meeting and event professionals, and hosted buyer opportunities, which include free flights and accommodations as well, are available to qualified buyers. Learn more at the IMEX America website.

IMEX America 2023: Networking Central

Networking also is always on the agenda at IMEX America, and among the most coveted tickets are those to SITE NITE, which will take place after Smart Monday at KAOS @ The Palms. With SITE celebrating its golden jubilee this year, the celebration will have a distinct 1970s theme, so pack your retro platform shoes, halter tops, flares and hot pants for a groovy time, with all proceeds to benefit the SITE Foundation’s research, education and advocacy work. Learn more at the SITE Global website.

The MPI Foundation Rendezvous also is a prime opportunity to network with thousands of IMEX America buyers and suppliers. Scheduled for Oct. 12 at Drai’s Beach Club and Nightclub, proceeds from the popular rooftop dance party and networking extravaganza benefit MPI Foundation scholarships and initiatives that support meeting and event industry professionals and education. Learn more and purchase tickets at the MPI website.

Don’t forget to stop by and say hi to the Prevue crew at Stand F766, and stay tuned for more developments.