Ahead of the 15th edition of IMEX America opening its doors next week in Las Vegas, meeting and event professionals are being encouraged to finalize their schedules and make the most of a week designed to deliver powerful new business connections, fresh ideas and trends analysis.
Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX, says: “The excitement around this year's show was evident from day one. The first appointment was booked within two minutes of the system going live, and in those first few hours meetings were being scheduled at an average rate of one every two seconds. That level of engagement shows just how much value our community places on meeting face-to-face and making every moment on site count.”
Exhibitor investment creates new opportunities for buyers
The breadth and scale of supplier participation continues to grow with destinations, venues, hotels and technology providers from all corners of the world. Several exhibitors have significantly increased their presence this year, including Egypt, Costa Rica, Mexico and Buenos Aires, while multiple US destinations such as Salt Lake City and Sacramento have doubled the size of their booths.
Montenegro is a new exhibiting destination, while Hong Kong, Rwanda and Korea are among those returning. Major partners including Canada, Orlando, Wynn Resorts and Marriott Hotels & Resorts are also back, expanding their presence through significant sponsorship investments.
A variety of global exhibitors are set to make some major announcements at the show. Highlights include Washington DC’s latest meetings outlook; Puerto Rico's new milestone as a premier destination for live entertainment; the launch of ImpactAIQ—a new AI-powered event impact evaluation platform with IMEX America serving as an innovation pilot for the product; plus the latest research from SITE and EIC.
Education program tackles today's biggest challenges
Tech-Enabled Futures—a new track for this year—hosts sessions which move the conversation beyond how to use AI to ask: how do we humanize AI? The track explores trust, technology adoption and the role of face-to-face experiences in an increasingly digital world. The Tech stage powered by DAHLIA+Agency is where attendees can learn to build practical tools and applications.
MPI’s keynotes are a powerful start to each day: former NFL player and leadership expert Shawn Harper; digital well-being specialist Caitlin Krause; and experience-design advocate Neen James, each bring fresh perspectives on navigating change and strengthening relationships.
Design for Spectacle—new track
New for 2026 is a focus on Design Matters, built around the principle that good design drives business success. Five new education tracks explore themes ranging from designing for human needs and regenerative design to creating memorable large-scale experiences. A new Design for Spectacle track draws inspiration from the host city of Vegas plus major international events. A timely session on mega events will look at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, examining how world-class experiences are designed and reinvented, and their impact on host destinations.
Attendees can also dive into practical sessions covering RFP best practice, contracts, risk management and operational planning, helping attendees stay current in a landscape that feels like it’s constantly shifting.
The Inspiration Hub has been relocated alongside the show's main catering area, making it easier for attendees to discover speaker sessions between meetings, while AI-powered session summaries from Snapsight will help visitors capture key takeaways. All professional education at IMEX America is provided free of charge, including the show’s specialist events for association, corporate and agency planners taking place on Smart Monday, powered by MPI, on October 12.
Behind the scenes, IMEX has significantly expanded its use of technology over the past three years to make their attendee experience smooth and efficient. The IMEX America app helps users schedule or change meetings, favorite education sessions and find exhibitors, while blue-dot navigation allows seamless wayfinding across the show floor. Together, these tools are designed to help attendees spend their time where it matters most: in meetings, learning sessions and meaningful conversations.
Global brands brought to life
Beyond meetings and education, IMEX America offers a wide range of experiences designed to help attendees connect, recharge and explore.
Creativity will be on display throughout the show as exhibitors and sponsors use imaginative booth designs and interactive activations to make their brands stand out. The main approach to the show entrance will become a hub of activity, with more sponsor activations than ever.
Attendees can step into a Southern California beach scene from Newport Beach, customize their water with electrolytes and vitamins at Destination Canada's hydration station, interact with Disney's hologram or explore Scottsdale's immersive tunnel capturing the sights and sounds of Arizona's desert landscape.
IMEX America takes place October 13-15, preceded by Smart Monday, powered by MPI, on October 12. Register—for free—here.
