by Danelle Dodds
Imagine your wildest family reunion.
Now, instead of a backyard BBQ, set the scene in the most dazzling, glamorous, anything-goes city on earth. And instead of drunk uncles or rude siblings, picture 10,000 of your coolest, best-dressed, most-adored brothers and sisters descending for a feast of reconnection. (You can practically hear the squeals of joy when you see each other, can’t you?)
It gets better.
Imagine every person in your family is an alchemist for the company they represent, so they are all bringing gold-flecked, Michelin-star side dishes to the well-appointed table. Replace DJ Cousin Tony on the ones-and-twos with Usher and Paris Hilton performing live, inches from your neon-bathed face. And then visualize this party raging from the break of dawn to the wee yawn of night for four days, from one end of the Strip to the other, while the ether of the week simply crackles with possibility.
You’ve just imagined the storyline of one of the most exciting and powerful family reunions in the world: IMEX America. And if you are in the travel and events industry and have never attended IMEX, you haven’t fulfilled your destiny.
Once a year, the entire bloodline of the meeting and event industry travels to Las Vegas for a week of inspired interactions. Spectacular bubbles of harmony and opportunity percolate in an environment of genuine, jovial community. Friends from across the globe swarm the city, as delighted hugs, handshakes and real business are exchanged face-to-face, without hindrances of borders or oceans between them.
But make no mistake, this isn’t just a week of backyard fun and games. IMEX has been synonymous with big business for more than two decades. And that is because their hosted buyers represent millions of dollars in potential meetings. Those meetings power a huge portion of the world’s economic machine.
In the last report conducted, the industry of business events fueled 26 million jobs, impacted 1.5 billion people, in more than 180 countries, and contributed $1.5 trillion of GDP. These are atomic figures. Which makes being involved in a show like IMEX a flaming kiln of networking and revenue potential.
So, when it came to deciding to exhibit at IMEX in the Las Vegas booth for first-timer Delphinium Events, the decision was a no-brainer. In fact, it was a foundational brick in their business plan when opening their doors earlier this year. As a Las Vegas-based boutique DMC in its early inception, IMEX 2022 represents an arrival for them.
“Destination knowledge is my superpower, and I know this city. So, when I dreamed about opening my own DMC, I always knew I would exhibit at IMEX,” says Casey Shields, Delphinium Events president and founder.
And as much as it’s a coming out party for them, it’s also a homecoming of sorts. While the company is a mere 6 months old, Casey and her team are industry and IMEX veterans. And for her personally, it’s a full circle moment. As a former national sales manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, she used to lead the city’s IMEX presentations for 10 years, on the same plush padded carpet she now stands on as a business owner today.
“IMEX is where buyers come to find the right people to execute their events. There is a true credibility when it comes to being an exhibitor here,” Casey says.
It’s a familiar sentiment. Across the aisle, long time exhibitors ACCESS knew that being a part of IMEX was equally as important to their business model. As a coast-to-coast events company that has been a staple for more than 50 years, their onsite IMEX team of 30 was ushering in an updated brand design and business approach. With a new tagline of “We are re-redefining the events industry!”, it made sense that the event’s world stage would be the place to unfurl it.
For Denise Marie Germano, associate director of Strategic Business Opportunities and Events for ACCESS, planning IMEX is a familiar and welcome dance. Having organized this experience for various teams for over a decade, she looks to the week with earnest excitement.
“To me, IMEX isn’t only a hospitality homecoming. It’s a pulse of everything going on in our industry. IMEX America is where business, education and the heart of our industry come together to do what we do best,” she says. There is an authentic smile when she confesses, “This is one of my all-time favorite weeks of the year!”
As a sage with so many years of this event behind her, she also imparts very wise and maternal words to first time IMEX adventurers. Her advice is both practical and sound, and you can almost imagine her calling it out to you as you leave to storm the castle: “Wear comfortable shoes! Don’t forget to hydrate! Remember it’s a marathon, so pace yourself!! And don’t forget to expect the unexpected!”
When one is privy to the itinerary of the week, you can understand this wisdom. With more than 2,200 exhibitors, over 100 educational sessions, six to eight appointments a day, MPI’s Smart Monday, Future Leaders presentations, She Means Business gatherings, SITE Night North America at Allegiant Stadium, 5k fun run, MPI Foundation Rendezvous at Drai’s, daily site tours, and hundreds upon hundreds of hospitality events thrown day and night, even the most packed schedule can’t possibly fit it all in.
And therein lies the beautiful twist to the narrative. Sometimes the best things are the ones that you never planned for.
Attendees can testify that you must leave some room in your week for that IMEX magic, for you never know where your IMEX journey will take you. Just like the power of face-to-face reunions, sometimes the most incredible serendipity comes from an unexpected moment of clinking cups at the proverbial punch bowl.
Casey sums it up like this: “IMEX is a very organic experience. You don’t know where your next connection can come from. We are all part of this travel ecosystem. We all love what we do, and we genuinely enjoy each other. So, there is a place for everyone in this family.”
As the last of the guests filter out of the city, they leave floating in an embryo of memories and connections made over the last few days. And as the city sweeps up the glitter of week, they will have stars in their eyes because they are already looking forward to the next one. This industry has a proud lineage. IMEX cements its legacy.
IMEX Frankfurt will take place in Germany on May 22 – 25, 2023. IMEX America will reunite in Las Vegas on October 16 – 19, 2023.
