As we count down to IMEX America this October, we asked our CEO, Carina Bauer, to reflect on the return of our Talking Point—and what Impact means in 2025.
Carina, you introduced Impact 2.0: Activating the Future as the IMEX Talking Point for 2025. What’s the deeper thinking behind that theme?
We chose Impact because the word has evolved. It’s no longer just about metrics or measurable outcomes—it’s about the ripple effect of our choices. Whether you’re planning a small team retreat or a citywide conference, every event has the potential to shape how people think, feel and act.
So, Impact 2.0 is our way of asking: what kind of impact are you trying to create? And how can we help you do that?
Has the idea of impact shifted for you personally or professionally?
Absolutely. Like many of our peers, I tended to see impact as something external—a focus on outcomes and outputs, for example. But over the past few years, I’ve come to see it as something more internal, more human. I think real impact begins with clarity: knowing your own purpose, staying curious, and being willing to change.
Professionally, that’s shown up in how we design our shows. We’re constantly asking: how can we serve better? How do we recognize the humanity of our clients and put that first?
This year you’ve launched some new education tracks at IMEX America. What’s new—and why now?
We know high quality, accessible professional development is more important than ever, and it needs to be short too. No-one wants to sit through the equivalent of TL: DR sessions.
That’s why this year’s education program includes three spotlight tracks:
- Community Builders – for anyone focused on belonging, trust, and human connection
- Leadership and Culture – for those navigating change, team dynamics, and future-ready leadership
- Impact – a bold track exploring sustainability, DEI, legacy, and ethical business
Together, they reflect the biggest challenges and opportunities in our industry. And they’re open to everyone—buyers, suppliers, planners, newcomers. We’ve also added expert-led sessions on neuroinclusion, AI, trauma-informed leadership, and experience design. Our goal is to make every session feel relevant, practical, and empowering. And of course, we never neglect the fundamentals such as contract negotiations, F&B or event marketing.
View the full education tracks
Who can we expect to hear from this year? Any names we should watch out for?
Yes! We’re really proud of this year’s speaker lineup—especially on the Impact track. Some highlights include:
- Andrea Driessen, on purposeful engagement, meaning and what happens after the applause
- Sandy Safi, Co-founder of Diner en Blanc International
- Courtney Lohmann, sharing case studies on impact-driven event strategies and the power of one great decision
- Matthew Emerzian, CEO of Every Monday Matters, whose work focuses on meaning, mental health, and social good
- And Nelia Nunes, talking about accessibility, equity, and the future of events.
For a taste of the future of Impact in the events industry, watch our 2-minute Impact video. It brings to life how global event professionals are thinking about their legacy and their role in shaping a better future.
What else should attendees look out for?
One of the biggest shifts is how we’re designing the show around people, not just logistics, although they're vital to a successful show, of course.
That includes:
- A Resilience Space in partnership with Hello! DMC, now in its third year.
- An expanded Quiet Space with daily programming curated by David T. Stevens, including sessions on circadian rhythms and personal well-being.
- Live experience design activations and tools to help you rethink connection.
- Easy ways to join our People & Planet Pledge, or find exhibitor activations that give back. Last year we had social impact custom sock designs from PYVOT, Fill it Forward hydration tools and a charity collaboration with PACT—a fundraiser against child trafficking.
This year, we’re also working with the American and Australian Psychological Associations on a groundbreaking case study. IMEX America will be one of the first global events measured against their Neurodivergent Inclusive Event Certification—a new standard for inclusive event design.
We want to lead by example. To show what’s possible when you build—and iterate year on year—with empathy and curiosity.
You’ve published several industry reports this year focused on leadership, connection, and transformation. How do these tie in?
Our research has been downloaded multiple hundreds of times this year—and that tells us something. It tells us that people are hungry for meaning. That they care about legacy. That they want to do things differently.
From The power of experiences: Redesigning events for human connection to How to Lead with Impact in Extreme Times, our reports are part of a wider conversation about what kind of industry we want to be. And what kind of world we want to shape through our work.
IMEX America is not just about one week in Las Vegas—it’s about how we lead every day, wherever we are and how we face the biggest challenges in society right now.
Importantly, we also use what we learn through this research to shape our education programs, bring in new speakers and offer attendees content that can provoke powerful change.
All this work, and care, strengthens our vision, by the way: A thriving global events industry focused on positive change.
If someone’s on the fence about attending this year, what would you say to them?
Come. This is not just another trade show—it’s a space to reconnect, to rethink, and to re-energize. Whether you're building new partnerships, growing your event portfolio, exploring new learning formats, or simply reigniting your inspiration, IMEX America is built to support you, your organization, your events and your ambitions.
You’ll leave with fresh ideas, worthwhile and meaningful connections, and a sense of what’s coming down the line—not just for your business, but for our global industry.
Because when we talk about impact, we’re really talking about people. And there’s no better place to meet them.
