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.
Our partners
02. Our awards program
02. Our awards program
Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Awards Winners 2025
Named in honor of our former Managing Director, Paul Flackett, our Academy Awards reward those making outstanding contributions to our industry.
Aneta Książek
Head of Poland Convention Bureau
Lyn Lewis-Smith
CEO of Business Events Sydney
Nikki Walker
Global Vice President at MCI-Group
Kai Hattendorf
Gala Award Winners 2025
Awarded annually at the IMEX Gala, our awards recognize events excellence.
Destinations International Global Ambassador Award:
Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney
International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) - International Excellence Award
IAAPA Expo Europe 2024
American Society of Association Executives - Global Association Visionary Award
Mike Dominguez, President & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Driving Excellence – Innovation Award
Núria Fernandez, Online Education Specialist at Kenes Group
International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) - Global Influencer Award
Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General & Chair of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and also President of the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE)
Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) - Unity Award
Kai Hattendorf
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) - Foundation Student Scholarship Award
Viktoriia Yushkaliuk from Vistula University in Poland
Jane E. Schuldt Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) - Master Motivator Award
Lisa Xu, Managing Director of East Star Event Management and President of SITE China
IMEX Events Industry Council (EIC) - Innovation in Sustainability Award
Workday in partnership with George P. Johnson
Past winners
Our remarkable roll call of past Academy Award and Innovation in Sustainability Award winners includes:
Academy Award winners
Frank Murangwa, Director of Destination Marketing, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Bonnie Carlson, President & CEO, Bloomington MN, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Christoph Tessmar, Director, Barcelona Turisme
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
TED Conferences
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. Check back later to submit your entry for the 2026 award (for events that took place during 2025)
Thank you to Rivanna for providing our planet-friendly award plaques
Apply now
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.
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."
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What next?
Discover the other ways we support our industry and our people.