IMEX America announces post-show statistics for bumper 2023 edition – personalization trend shines bright

A record number of participants

The market-leading trade show for the global business events industry took place October 17 - 19 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas and welcomed a record 15,029 participants. They included 5,364 buyers – both hosted buyers and buyer attendees – in what was IMEX’s biggest ever show. Over 4,000 of these were hosted buyers - 45 per cent of which control budgets of $5million and above. The 3,443 exhibiting companies made for a favorable ratio of buyers to exhibitors, fuelling the business momentum that was evident across the show floor.

Further statistics from the 12th edition of IMEX America can be found here, including buyers by nature of business, buying power and country.

A community-centered experience

Figures from several other sources reflect an industry increasingly craving a more personalized, community-centered experience: 

• Over 200 people joined a new first-timer's tour on the opening day of the show. The tour – held for the first time this year – included a musical warm up and facilitated ice-breakers before participants were taken on a guided walk around the main features of the show floor. 
• Nearly 4,000 people (and counting!) downloaded and completed Storycraft Lab’s Experience Profiles™ quiz. Buyers were invited to complete a quiz to reveal their Experience Profiles type followed by a personalized guide to the show based on how they interpret information, engage with others and new experiences. Feedback shows that this was particularly appreciated as a fresh idea for planners to incorporate into their own events. 
• Over 2,000 people attended education sessions at the show’s biggest ever Inspiration Hub, sponsored by WebEx. Attendees could ‘pick and mix’ to suit their learning needs across a variety of topics ranging from the personal – how to manage personal and team members’ mental health – to future trends and forecasts from across the globe and industry sectors.  

Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX, says: “Our biggest ever show was not only large in terms of size but also value created. It certainly felt as if the whole of our global industry was in attendance. The sheer scale of the show means that it provides an accurate reflection of the current state of our industry – and it was good to see such buoyancy and confidence evident in the many business connections across the show floor." 

The show’s success has generated positive momentum and confidence ahead of IMEX in Frankfurt 2024 held 14 – 16 May, and the business event community can register their interest now.