Industry
relations

Our collaborative industry-wide partnerships form the bedrock of our shows, our mission, our purpose.

At the heart of our industry

Our aim is to build better human connections all over the world, to promote a thriving global events industry focused on positive change, to bring our global events community together, to provide the best platform for great business.

We do this in many ways, including through our industry partnerships and alliances, our awards program, and our collaborative sponsorship opportunities.

01. Partnerships

01. Partnerships

Industry partnerships
and alliances

Our industry is defined by community and connection, an ethos reflected by the collaborative IMEX spirit. Our partners are an extension of our team, our IMEX family.

Our shows only happen with the support of our strategic partners, MPI and GCB German Convention Bureau. And through our partnerships with leading industry associations including ASAE, Destinations International, ICCA, PCMA and SITE. And of course, with our world-class venues, Mandalay Bay and Messe Frankfurt.

We’ve worked alongside our partners to develop our shows and events, and in turn they’ve brought their own events to our shows, from SITE Nite Europe and North America to MPI Foundation Rendezvous and annual ICCA member meetings.

Speaker on stage MPI Keynotes

Our partners

02. Our awards program

02. Our awards program

Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Awards Winners 2024

Named in honor of our former Managing Director, Paul Flackett, our Academy Awards reward those making outstanding contributions to our industry. 


Frank Murangwa

Director of Destination Marketing, Rwanda Convention Bureau


Bonnie Carlson

President & CEO, Bloomington MN, Convention and Visitors Bureau


Christoph Tessmar

Director, Barcelona Turisme


Gala Award Winners 2024

Awarded annually at the IMEX Gala, our awards recognize events excellence.


Destinations International Global Ambassador Award:

Paul Kelly CEO of Fáilte Ireland


International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) - International Excellence Award   

Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Exposition/CCPIT Chengdu Sub-Council


American Society of Association Executives - Global Association Visionary Award

Susan Sarfati, CEO of High Performance Strategies


International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Driving Excellence – Innovation Award

Claire Smyth, Sales and Marketing Director at Conference Partners International


International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) - Global Influencer Award 

Marie Hunter, Manager Director, Conferences, Events & Experiences at The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)


Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) - Unity Award   

Peter King, Inaugural Chair of the Australian Business Events Association


Meeting Professionals International (MPI) - Foundation Student Scholarship Award  

Hlolohelo Zwane from Tshwane North College in South Africa


Jane E. Schuldt Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) - Master Motivator Award

Padraic Gilligan, Chief Marketing Officer at SITE


IMEX Events Industry Council (EIC) - Innovation in Sustainability Award  

TED Conferences


Abstract coloured shapes

Past winners

Our remarkable roll call of past Academy Award and Innovation in Sustainability Award winners includes:

Academy Award winners

Ulrike Von Arnold, Vienna Convention Bureau; David Kliman, The Kliman Group; Mary Casey, Maritz Global Events; Tatsuo Arai, MCI Japan

Carlotta Ferrari, Destination Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau and Convention Bureau Italia; Barbara Jamison-Woods, London & Partners; Karen Bolinger, Bolinger Consulting

Roslyn Mcleod, ARINEX; Madelyn Marusa, PRA Business Events, Inc; Heike Mahmoud, Congress Center Hamburg

Alan Pini, Friends International; Anja Loetscher, Geneva Convention Bureau; Patrick Chen, Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration

Olivier Lepine, Biarritz Tourisme; Karim El Minabawy, Emeco Travel; Diane DiMaggio, Northstar Travel Media; Jeannie Lim, Singapore Tourism Board

Innovation in Sustainability Award winners

Destination Canada

Copenhagen Convention Bureau

GDS-Index

Global Climate Action Summit

Apply for the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award

Gain global recognition for your sustainability innovation by applying for the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award. Submit your entry for the 2024 award (for events that took place during 2023).  

Thank you to Rivanna for providing our planet-friendly award plaques

Apply now
Greenhouse roof and plants

03. Sponsorships

03. Sponsorships

Industry sponsorship

We support and sponsor industry events and initiatives globally, investing in the future of our industry and championing programs that drive positive change, that promote and protect our people and planet.

Get in touch
Event professional jumping during a photoshoot
Carina Bauer IMEX CEO headshot

Carina Bauer

CEO, IMEX Group

"Strong personal relationships and connections underpin our business and our industry. Our enduring collaborative spirit is buoyed by our partnerships, our shared values, our shared purpose—and by the power of collective action."