IMEX America 2026 is heading into its October show with buyer registration running ahead of the same point last year and several destinations expanding their presence on the show floor.
The event returns to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Oct. 13-15.
Montreal, Texas, Los Cabos, Egypt, and Barbados are among the destinations increasing their presence this year. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, Korea, Jamaica, Japan, Switzerland, and Thailand are returning after exhibiting in previous years.
Major hotel groups including Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott have also confirmed participation.
Buyer spaces and education expand
IMEX is also making changes to several attendee areas.
The Inspiration Hub will move to a more prominent location near the main walkway and catering area. The education space will also include expanded theaters and a dedicated entrance.
In addition, the Hosted Buyer Lounge has been enlarged and redesigned to give buyers more room to meet, work, and recharge between appointments.
The 2026 education program will feature 12 learning tracks. Five are new and tied to IMEX’s “Design Matters” theme, which focuses on event design and attendee experience.
One of the new tracks, “Designing for Human Needs,” was the most popular education track at IMEX Frankfurt earlier this year. IMEX America will also feature a “Design for Spectacle” track focused on immersive experiences and large-scale events.
Face-to-face remains central
IMEX cited research from the Events Industry Council showing that 70 percent of respondents identified relationship-building through face-to-face interaction as the event outcome most difficult to replicate digitally.
IMEX says buyer registration is also running ahead of the same point last year.
“The momentum behind IMEX America isn’t just about strong registration figures,” said Carina Bauer, chief executive officer of IMEX. “We’re seeing organizations commit earlier and invest more significantly because they understand that face-to-face interaction delivers a genuine competitive advantage.”
IMEX America will also offer networking and education for association and corporate event professionals, first-time attendees, and hosted buyers.
IMEX America takes place Oct. 13-15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. For more information, visit america.imexevents.com.
Information provided by IMEX. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
