Close of IMEX America 2022 marks return of global MICE industry

Saturday, October 15, 2022

The 11th edition of IMEX America closes today following 4 days of business and networking that heralded a welcome return.

Speaking in the show’s closing press conference at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom, announced an overall participation of 12,000 people, of whom over 4,000 were buyers, 3,300 of these attended on the show’s hallmark hosted buyer program.

Bloom explained that the 2022 edition was 45% bigger than last year due to an easing of travel restrictions plus 40% of returning exhibitors taking more booth space.

Across the board, international exhibitors returned in strong numbers. Of those who doubled the size of their booths, 24% were from North America, 23% were hotel groups, 15% were European and 12% from Asia. Latin America and tech exhibitors also showed significant increases.

Bloom continued, that the size of this year’s show is obviously a function of many in the industry being able to travel and plan meetings again and to do so with certainty.

It’s been a long time coming and, although they produced a great show last year, this week felt like the big come-back we’ve all been waiting for.

Bloom explained that exhibitors had reported long pipelines, with business being placed as far out as 2028.

Early today Tourism Ireland announced they’d confirmed business to the value of EUR 10 million during the show, while Destination DC landed a large event for the American Distilling Association in 2026.

Representation from all corners of the industry

Having welcomed the largest group of faculty members in the world to IMEX America this week, Bloom reminded his audience that IMEX purposefully gathers every corner of the global industry together.

Hundreds of students, their future leaders, have been here, learning and experiencing the industry first-hand and seeing it in full color.

And IMEX together with IAEE invite faculty here too, delivering a program tailored specifically for them.

Sustainability, belonging and freedom of choice

Some of the big themes percolating through from corridor conversations and speakers this week included: service levels, contracts, wellbeing and mental health; the pros and cons of distributed workforces; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI+B) and sustainability, both personal and environmental.

Carina Bauer, IMEX Group CEO, explained that, aside from being awarded MeetGreen’s Visionary status and the TSE (Trade Show Executive) Grand Award for Most Commendable Green Initiatives for the 2021 show, IMEX America has achieved the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards Platinum Certification.

The press conference audience also heard updates from MPI’s Chief Brand Officer, Drew Holmgreen, who spoke about the success of Smart Monday, funds raised at MPI Foundation’s Rendezvous and the association’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Steve Hill, CEO and President of the LVCVA (Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority) together with Stephanie Glanzer, Chief Sales Officer & Senior Vice President at MGM Resorts International both spoke about the ongoing importance of IMEX America to the city.

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