IMEX America 2026 brought the global business events industry together at record scale, while retaining something attendees increasingly value: a show that feels personal.
New post-show data from the 15th edition reveals that 6,292 buyers from 82 countries attended this year’s show at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, comprising 4,857 hosted buyers and 1,435 buyer attendees. The show's impact extends well beyond the exhibition floor. According to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), IMEX America has welcomed close to 185,000 participants over its 15-year history, generating an estimated $360 million in economic impact for Southern Nevada.
Total buyer numbers increased 2.5% year on year, giving exhibitors access to an even larger pool of potential high value clients and business opportunities.
The international buyer mix spanned all the key market segments, led by agency buyers (58%), followed by corporate event professionals (25%) and association planners (10%).
This breadth was matched by significant spending potential. 72% of buyers represented organizations with purchasing power above $1 million, including 27% exceeding $10 million, an increase on last year. A further 17% had budgets between $5 million and $10 million, and 28% between $1 million and $5 million.
96,000 meetings in three days
For the 3,800 exhibiting companies—up 3% year on year—these buyers created substantial opportunities to connect and do business. The show facilitated 96,000 meetings, spanning one-to-ones, group appointments and booth presentations—equivalent to buyers and exhibitors spending 48,000 hours, or over five years doing business together.
In total, 18,200 global participants attended IMEX America 2026, an increase of 4% year on year. But the scale of the show is only part of the story. With thousands of event professionals gathered in one place, IMEX America is carefully designed to ensure attendees can plan and enjoy a curated, personal experience that suits their individual priorities, choosing from tailored gatherings for specialist buyer groups, first-timer welcomes and a rich program of fringe events both on and off the show floor.
Hello September in 2027/28
Dates for next year’s show have come forward slightly allowing the business events community to return to Las Vegas a little earlier for the next two years as IMEX America says “Hello September”.
The show returns to Mandalay Bay on September 28–30, 2027, followed by September 26–28, 2028, moving from its recent October dates. IMEX’s Hello September campaign was launched at this year’s show, encouraging event professionals to share the new dates with their teams and mark their calendars ahead of time. Register your interest for the 2027 edition here.
IMEX Frankfurt takes place May 11 – 13. Register your interest here.
