IMEX America

In anticipation of its debut in 2011, IMEX America (), the US’s new worldwide exhibition for the incentive travel, meetings and events business, today announced the findings of a predictions survey conducted with a number of CEO’s and thought leaders in the industry.

The inaugural IMEX America show, being held in Las Vegas October 11-13, 2011 at the Sands Expo and Venetian/Palazzo comes from the IMEX Group, organizers of the award-winning IMEX in Frankfurt show (www.imex-frankfurt.com). IMEX America has the singular but far reaching goal of unleashing the energy and future growth of the US meetings market which is an important driver of US jobs and economic health generating over $100B annually and driving over 1M jobs (Source: Meetings.net 2009.)

Participants in the IMEX America 2011 prediction survey included:

  • John Graham, President and CEO of ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership headquartered in Washington DC
  • Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO of Meeting Planners International (MPI) headquartered in Dallas TX and an IMEX America Strategic Partner
  • Chris White, Chairman & CEO of Global Events Partners based in Washington DC
  • Christine Duffy, President and CEO of Maritz Travel headquartered in St. Louis MO
  • Ray Bloom, Chairman of IMEX Group based in London England with offices in New York

Findings from the survey indicate that:

  • Growth Will Be Spurred By Select Client Industries: Watch for the meetings and events industry --that proved resilient through a tough 2010 – to start to grow in 2011. US growth will likely be lead by clients in the pharma, technology, sports and service industries. These same industries will set the pace for any global growth in 2011 with Asia and Brazil continuing to be hotbeds.
  • Going Green Will Get More Formal & Vocal: Expect green efforts to ramp up in 2011 with more organizations focusing on tackling a top list of tangible steps they can take to make a difference, and putting their green/CSR event policies in writing. Also listen for more proactive and regular communications around green performance stemming from more disciplined tracking and reporting.
  • Natural & Shared Resources Will Be “In” … Waste Out: Look for a growing use of natural, recyclable and biodegradable materials like hemp and compostable/corn-based “plastics” to be used at events for everything from booth carpeting, bags and utensils/cups/plates … to badges and lanyards.

    Additionally venues and lodging offering natural lighting, access to public or shared transportation, water conservation programs, and bulk dispensers for condiments and toiletries will become increasingly attractive.

  • ‘Locavore’ Dining Will Bring it Home: In 2011 event planners – on behalf of their clients – will increasingly demand local, organic and seasonal produce and ingredients be used for food services at shows and events.
  • Technologies Like Holograms Will Be in the Cards & Hybrid Elements Will Become More Seamless: Don’t expect to see live presenters being replaced overnight, but with technologies like TelePrescence and Eyeliner out there we’ll start to see Hologram technology become more mainstream in 2011 … putting global experts at the fingertips of attendees and organizers alike. At the same time, a blend of virtual and live meeting elements will continue to become more tightly integrated to enrich meeting experiences-- particularly video and telepresence whose costs are coming down making them more accessible and extending the value and content of live meetings post-event and for distant audiences.
  • Social Media Use Will Get More Strategic & Personal: In the coming year conversations will be less about driving social media outreach en masse and more about using specific tools and approaches through Twitter or Facebook to make communications even more personalized. Building a sense of community and creating 2-way+ conversations around specific events will also be important. Delegate ownership of content will rule.
  • Mobile Meeting Apps Will Continue to Grow But so Will Integration: More and more mobile applications will be developed and offered before, during and after 2011 meetings and events but the key will be to integrate them in a way that makes increasing business sense.
  • Short Term Bookings Will Continue to Set the Pace: In the coming year, US companies hosting events and meetings will still wait until the last minute to book in the hopes of scoring discounts … even if they have to sacrifice choice. This trend will likely become the norm overtime in the US and globally.
  • Incentive Travel Will Be Back: In 2011 incentive travel will be back in fuller force as a key way for companies to reward and retain top performers. Creative and tight use of budgets will remain, but there will be an uptick in booking luxury hotels/resorts, and international destinations.
  • Events Will Leave A Positive Community Legacy Behind: In 2011 watch for more shows and their participants to engage with their host communities – providing support around issues and challenges that local cities and regions are facing. Giving back could include donating food to shelters, supporting local schools, sending a team in to build a new playground before they leave for home, and more.
“The US incentive travel, meetings and events business is approaching 2011 with optimism and action,” said Ray Bloom from the IMEX Group, “We are thrilled to be bringing this market the powerful benefits that a live event like IMEX America can have on building and growing successful business relationships and sharing best practices and industry education across the US and globe.”

About IMEX America | The new trade show for the worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel industry; the inaugural IMEX America () will take place October 11-13, 2011 at the Sands Expo, which is connected to the show’s Headquarters Hotel, the Venetian/Palazzo. The show’s strategic partner and premier educational provider is MPI. It is endorsed by DMAI and Site and has an Industry Partnership with PCMA. Other supporting partners are: ACTE Global, ADME, AIPC, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, CIC, ECM, IAEE, JMIC, ICCA, The Venetian and The Palazzo Resorts and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

IMEX America will offer a unique model of trade show, new to the US market. It will assure exhibitors of three full days of meeting and making business appointments in their booths with in excess of 2,000 highly qualified hosted buyers. The majority (80 per cent) of these hosted buyers will come from North America. In addition thousands of additional US buyer attendees are expected to attend from across North America. Entrance to the show and its educational program is entirely free of charge.

Kit Watts
+44 (0) 1273 224956 or +44 7968 417518
The IMEX Group