Meetings world back in motion , in person in Vegas
CMW WAS ONE OF THE EXHIBITORS AS IMEX AMERICA BROUGHT THE INDUSTRY BACK TOGETHER EN MASSE FOR A LAS VEGAS SPECTACULUAR
T he 11th edition of IMEX America reunited many eventprofs in person after a long time apart . It closed in Las Vegas on 13 October , following four days of business and networking that heralded a welcome return to form for the global meetings , events and incentive travel industry .
Speaking in the show ’ s closing press conference at the Mandalay Bay , IMEX chairman , Ray Bloom , announced an overall participation of 12,000 people , of whom over 4,000 were buyers , 3,300 of these attending on the show ’ s hallmark hosted buyer programme .
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 . The halls were busy and attendees certainly had to cover some ground to get round the new configuration . “ We ’ ve certainly all got our steps in ,” Bloom joked .
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 added : “ 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 we produced a great show last year , this week felt like the big comeback we ’ ve all been waiting for .”
“ That ’ s not to deny that challenges remain . Equally , it seems buyers are being more discerning ”, he added . “ We ’ ve heard they ’ re preparing RFPs in more detail and being more rigorous in their selection criteria .”
Bloom explained that exhibitors had reported long pipelines , with business being placed as far out as 2028 . Tourism Ireland announced they ’ d confirmed business to the value of € 10m during the show , while Destination DC landed an RFP for a large event for the American Distilling Association in 2026 .
Having welcomed the largest group of faculty members in the world to IMEX America , Bloom reminded his audience that IMEX purposefully gathers every corner of the global industry together . “ We ’ re not just talking about buyers
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