IMEX America Hits New Highs and More Growth
October 9, 2014The fourth edition of IMEX America, the largest trade show for the international meetings, events and incentive travel industry in the U.S., will be 13 percent bigger when doors open on October 14 at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas.
Both hosted buyer numbers and the number of U.S. and international attendees are expected to exceed last year’s levels.
On the show floor, the growth is reflected in new exhibitors as well as larger booths from some key global suppliers. U.S. and Canadian representation has increased by 16.5 percent; Latin America by 6.5 percent; Europe by 3 percent and Asia-Pacific by nearly 8 percent.
In other areas of the show, hotel groups are up by 26 percent; private sector companies by 37.5 percent, technology suppliers by 20 percent and incentive products by 50 percent.
Seventy new booths also add to the line-up of new global and U.S. exhibitors giving buyers an even broader perspective on the marketplace.
Eighty-three of the show’s previous exhibitors have increased the size of their booths and of these more than half have expanded their booths by 50 percent.
Looking ahead to the show’s opening, Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group stated: “The fourth IMEX America is set to offer increased business opportunities for the U.S. and global meetings and events industry. Aside from the confirmed growth in exhibitor numbers and the expanded show floor, we are set to bring in even more hosted buyers and more attendees next week. Anticipation is high and we’re looking forward to a packed show with its usual strong focus on business appointments, networking and, of course, high quality education.”
There will be a number of different ways to stay up to date with IMEX America during the show. IMEXlive, sponsored by Hilton Worldwide and The Events Network on Bob.tv, will provide rolling video interviews and social media coverage (#IMEX14) on the IMEX America homepage and via the show app. IMEX America TV live will broadcast daily from the show floor at 12 noon Eastern Time (produced by Sonic Foundry, PRG and CNTV). Daily TV headlines will be broadcast on the IMEX YouTube channel and in the hotel rooms of the host hotels, The Venetian|The Palazzo, on channel 3.
IMEX America starts with its traditional preshow day of professional development and education — Smart Monday, powered by MPI on Monday October 13. This is followed by the three-day trade show starting October 14. Visitors who haven’t registered in advance can still register in-person and onsite for no charge.