IMEX America 2024 in Review: From Baseball to Pickleball, the Industry Is All-In on Personalized Experiences

Join us for an in-depth look at IMEX America 2024, the latest edition of the largest trade show dedicated to meetings, events and incentive travel professionals. With over 15,500 attendees and 86,000 meetings, this year’s IMEX celebrated the global meetings and events sector. We discuss the buzz on the floor, the unique activations, and how Las Vegas’ iconic landscape—amid F1 construction and city-shaping events—added to the drama. Tune in to explore everything from personalized activations to wellness sessions and why baseball stadiums are emerging as the next big venue trend.

Key Points

• IMEX America 2024 hosted 15,500 attendees and featured 86,000 meetings over three days, marking its largest show to date.
• The event was a central connection point for the meetings and events industry and featured multiple launches, including new research from Amex GBT, Freeman, IRF, and others.
• The show highlighted significant activations, including a pickleball court and creative brand booths, as evidence of the industry’s health.
• Vegas was noticeably congested during IMEX, which was made worse by F1 construction and other events, leading to logistical challenges for attendees.
• MLB felt its presence, with a press conference signaling future events at baseball stadiums. Baseball also influenced the demolition of the Tropicana Hotel, which is making way for a new ballpark.
• Smart Monday, powered by MPI, saw a 30% increase in attendance. It offered a variety of sessions and networking opportunities.
• IMEX featured numerous activations promoting wellness, interactive sessions, and personalized experiences.
• Booths stood out through their creativity, especially those offering customized merchandise and activations.

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Skift Meetings podcast, the team breaks down the highlights of IMEX America 2024, held at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. With a record 15,500 attendees and 86,000 meetings over three days, this year’s IMEX was the biggest in its history. The show provided a welcome reunion for industry professionals alongside significant research releases from AMEX GBT, Freeman and IRF.

One central theme was the show’s focus on immersive activations and wellness, from interactive booths featuring personalized cookies and custom caps to larger-than-life activations like a pickleball court. Wellness activities were also a hit, with meditation sessions and other wellness-focused engagements packed with attendees, signaling a deeper commitment to the well-being of professionals in the meetings space.

However, Las Vegas presented some logistical challenges, as F1 construction and overlapping events created congestion that made it difficult to navigate the city. Yet, the glitzy chaos of Vegas was further amplified with the demolition of the Tropicana Hotel, making way for a new MLB stadium that could become a major events venue.

Smart Monday, powered by MPI, saw a 30% increase in attendance and served as a key networking platform before the main event. Educational sessions were also a cornerstone of the IMEX experience. Hundreds of interactive discussions took place at the Inspiration Hub, supported by AI technologies and human creativity.

With so many trends and innovations on display, this episode captures the energy and excitement of IMEX while offering insights into the future of the meetings and events industry.