Skift Meetings’ Guide to Getting Around IMEX

IMEX America 2025 takes place October 7-9, with a pre-show education day on October 6, all taking place at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

If you have never attended, IMEX is a massive trade show. It can be overwhelming, particularly for first-timers, but even for the most experienced attendees.

To make the most of the exhibition, education, and networking, it’s essential to have a game plan, so we’ve created this guide to help.

IMEX Basics

IMEX is free to attend for anyone with a professional interest in meetings, events, incentive travel, and related sectors. The show revolves around pre-qualified buyers making appointments with suppliers on the show floor. Many buyers are hosted, meaning that IMEX covers airfare and hotel costs. Buyers and suppliers have access to dedicated scheduling tools to coordinate appointments.

The IMEX show floor is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday). You can find the master schedule here and a directory of all the educational sessions here. A list of the 3,000+ exhibitors can be found here, and  a trade show floor map here. Download the event app here.

Most of the education takes place right on the show floor, at the Inspiration Hub. There’s a mix of 15-, 25-, and 45-minute sessions, open to drop-ins, with creative formats such as campfires.

The Monday before the show officially opens, there is also a full day of education. Some sessions are exclusive and by invitation only, but most are open to all, including various sessions that form part of Smart Monday, powered by Meeting Professionals International (MPI). 

Skift Meetings at IMEX America

The Skift Meetings AI Innovation Lab takes place on Monday, October 6, from 2:30–4:30 p.m., in the North Pacific C Ballroom in the North Convention Center at Mandalay Bay. It is a planner-only interactive event that addresses key industry topics through facilitated peer-to-peer discussions. At present, there is a wait list, but you can email meetings@skift.com to check if places open up.

On Wednesday, October 8, at 10:00–10:30 a.m., Skift Meetings Executive Editor Andrea Doyle will be featured on the Media Power Panel at the Tech Education Stand (F200) and Editor-in-Chief Miguel Neves will be presenting a session in the Inspiration Lounge on “Purposeful Meetings: Skift Research on Catalysts for Change.”

Just in time for IMEX, Skift Meetings has released Taking Impact to the Next Level, a practical guide for planners who want to make a lasting mark on attendees, companies, communities, and the environment. The report was created in partnership with IMEX, and is sponsored by Business Events Australia, Experience Kissimmee, Visit Anaheim, and Visit Lauderdale. Download it here.

12 IMEX Hacks

To make your IMEX experience as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled a list of hacks:

1. Book Meetings in Advance

Whether you are a buyer or not, book meetings with the people you can't afford to miss. They will be busy, too. So, plan your time carefully and block out times for meals and other non-negotiables.

2. Try to Book Adjacent Meetings

Traversing the show floor multiple times is a sure recipe for exhaustion. So when booking meetings, try to book back-to-back with exhibitors nearby. Make sure you refer to the floor plan when you make your meetings to make sure they are never too far apart.

3. Get Comfortable With the Show Floor

When you first arrive, take a few minutes to explore the show floor to get your bearings. Make sure you get the hang of how booths are numbered: There is a clear logic, with numbers referring to one direction and letters the other. With the booths having irregular sizes, this is not a clean matrix, and some numbers skip. There are also unofficial zones. Hotels are grouped, and so is event tech. Continents are also grouped. Use the larger and taller booths as reference points.

4. Use the Lounges

If registered as a hosted buyer, you can access a dedicated Hosted Buyer Lounge. Use it. You can take some time off, get refreshed, and much more. Even if you don't have access, plenty of other lounge-type areas around the show floor are designed for your comfort. Don't be afraid to use them.

5. Take Care of Yourself

Comfortable shoes are a must. A reusable water bottle is also an excellent idea. Consider having a healthy snack, like a pack of nuts, in case you need a boost of energy during the long days. Make sure you drink plenty of water; Vegas is in the desert. Join the IMEX Wellbeing Challenge and get rewarded for taking care of yourself at the show.

6. Make Sustainability a Priority

IMEX is known for taking sustainability seriously, including sharing a full report for each show. This year, attendees were encouraged to take a People and Planet Pledge. Find more information about actions you can take here.

7. Follow Along on Social

Following the #IMEX25 hashtag on any social media platform is a quick way to keep up with what’s happening and who’s there.

8. Get Caffeinated

Plenty of outlets sell coffee around the property, but looking out for great coffee being served at the larger booths is a nice hack. These activations are designed to attract buyers, so please keep this in mind. Most exhibitors are happy to invite visitors for coffee, and some even have creative baristas showing off their skills.

9. Pace Your Partying

It's not just coffee being served on the show floor — some booths have fully stocked bars and attract buyers with signature cocktails and mocktails. Later in the afternoons, from around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, many booths host parties and networking receptions. This can be a lot of fun, but also quite noisy if you have a business appointment next door. Remember to pace yourself — IMEX is a marathon, not a sprint.

10. Networking After Hours

Multiple parties are going on every night of the week along The Strip. Some are private or invite-only, but many have tickets available for purchase. The largest is the MPI Foundation's Rendezvous at IMEX America, being held at Drai’s Nightclub from 10 p.m.- 1 a.m. If there is one unmissable social event at the show, this is it.

11. Use the Final Day to Your Advantage

The show's final day, Thursday, is considerably less busy than the first two. That is no secret. But that can have plenty of advantages. The aisles are less active while the education program continues in full swing. Exhibitors can have more relaxed conversations with all attendees. Some of the best business and networking takes place on this last day.

12. Always Remember: The IMEX Team is There to Help

If you need assistance, look for IMEX staff and partners wearing small white badges with the IMEX logo. They know the show in-depth and are always ready to help.