IMEX American 2024, North America’s largest trade show for the meetings and event planning industry, took place over three epic days from October 8 to 10. It featured innovative technology, speaker sessions on current event trends, and sustainability initiatives that further the industry’s collective goal of improving eco-friendly practices. In its 13th year, the event occurred in Las Vegas in a renovated venue boasting 2.1 million square feet of space.
That extra space was helpful since IMEX America 2024 broke more records, with 15,500 people attending across its three jam-packed days. There were also 86,000—you read that correctly—meetings and appointments, with over 1,600 people attending the Inspiration Hub, which provided educational sessions. To say it was a success would be an understatement!
IMEX America 2024 represented the transformational phase our industry is in, with topics ranging from AI tools to wellness and inclusive event planning. If you were unable to attend, read on for our recap of all the action, including the innovations and upcoming trends that made an impression on IMEX attendees!
Immersive event experiences
Our approach to event planning is radically changing. The days of attendees sitting back and enjoying a speaker lineup and passive entertainment are over. This fact was made abundantly clear at IMEX America 2024, where they broke the mold in terms of immersive event planning. Attendees were taken on a sport-inspired odyssey that left them inspired and physically healthy! The show’s focus on immersion and wellness represents a shift in attendee desires.
Interactive elements ranged from personalized cookies to massive event activations like pickleball. Mediation sessions allowed attendees to debrief between heavy educational sessions. They fostered a greater presence of mind, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being in the meetings and events industry. The packed attendance for these sessions proves that meeting professionals want to prioritize wellness.
The IMEX 5k run was well-attended by early-rising attendees who ran together beneath the Vegas sky, kicking off their second day on a healthy and inspiring note. There was also a push-up challenge, where people gathered to complete push-ups across 20 minutes. The total was around 210 push-ups! Not only did this offer a healthy activity, but it also created a space for event networking that centered around wellness values.
Immersion extended to the exhibition floor, where destination booths gave attendees a taste of various travel destinations. There was traditional Moroccan tea, digital recreations of famous artworks in Washington D.C., tequila tastings, and more. These experiences represent a push
toward immersive event planning and an emphasis on authenticity. Attendees crave authentic experiences and connections that enrich the spirit and mind!
These experiences represent a fraction of the spectacular immersive activities attendees enjoyed at IMEX America 2024. They represent the transformational shift in event planning that emphasizes direct attendee engagement through gamification and other strategies for pulling attendees out of their seats and into the action. This approach to event planning makes a stronger impact and leads to lasting impressions.
Tech & innovation
It’s a digital world, so it makes sense that digital event planning and event tech are rapidly becoming the focus of events, big and small. IMEX America 2024 was no different. Attendees engaged with new technology in new and innovative ways, supporting educational goals and even helping attendees rest between activations.
The highlight of IMEX America’s commitment to featuring tech innovations was its debut of the first meetings-industry-specific AI tool. Spark, launched last year, was made available to event planners and demoed by Tess Vismale, CEO of iSocialX, an event execution firm. It’s available in a “starter” and a “professional” version and provides unparalleled content creation, analysis, event personalization, data privacy, and other benefits. This tool represents the shift toward AI tools and event planning with tech at the forefront!
All-star exhibitors, such as BW Events Tech, introduced attendees to new and exciting tools to streamline their event planning process. They demoed products and provided insights into how event tech trends can be leveraged to maximize ROI for attendees, vendors, and sponsors! By including top talent in the event tech field, IMEX America 2024 reduced technology anxiety and empowered attendees to aspire to new heights!
It wasn’t all about productivity, however. In the Tech Zone, Novobeing provided relaxation sessions optimized by VR (virtual reality) technology. Attendees donned the latest headsets and sat back for relaxing sessions, helping their minds settle down and recharge between heavy education and networking sessions. IMEX America 2024 displayed the range of benefits offered by emerging event tech to both productivity and attendee wellbeing!
Sustainable initiatives
Sustainability has been the talk of the event planning industry for years, and that didn’t change at IMEX America 2024. In fact, they continued to further their sustainability efforts, building on their five-year track record as a zero-waste event. Not only did they implement their initiatives, but they also encouraged exhibitors and attendees to contribute through information and incentives. In doing so, they furthered the trend of sustainable event planning, which is quickly becoming the way of doing things.
They displayed their sustainability goals in the Innovation Hub, where most educational sessions took place, and attendees would be exposed to the event’s ambitions. This simple strategy made everyone a part of the event’s sustainability missions, keeping it top of mind as they engaged with activities, enjoyed catering, and discussed industry trends. They also released their sustainability report for their previous show right before the 2024 kickoff, making their eco-friendly values clear and attracting those who share them.
IMEX America 2024 furthered its sustainability goals in small ways, too. They swapped the classic plastic name badge for a printed badge slipped into a cardboard sleeve. By using innovative badge printing technology, they replaced harmful badges with easily recyclable ones, improving their sustainability even in these small areas.
They provided all exhibitors with a “Better Stands” questionnaire, encouraging them to reduce waste by implementing reusable booths instead of single-use booths. They aim to continue this program into IMEX 2025, shifting event trends toward sustainable solutions to old problems. Other exhibitors engaged with the event’s sustainability goals, such as Destination Canada, who highlight sustainability initiatives across Canada to inspire attendees.
Engaging the next generation
One educational session that represented a coming shift in the event industry focused on event planning for Gen Z. It may seem hard to believe, but by 2030, Gen Z will make up 30% of the workforce, representing a significant demographic for event professionals. Fortunately, many of Gen Z’s values and desires align with current event trends, such as personalization, sustainability, and inclusive event planning.
Attendees gained insights on how to engage the next generation in event experiences, meet their needs, and cultivate a loyal audience and fruitful community. These tips included allowing attendees to personalize their experience via custom agendas and flexible accommodation options. Gen Z values personal experiences over generic ones and will reward those who cater to them with repeat attendance and meaningful engagement.
There is also a focus on authenticity, which can be improved by working with the local community to curate unique catering experiences, activities, and give-back initiatives that show your event is about more than selling new products but aspires to higher values. Including these educational sessions signals the emergence of a new demographic of attendees who will continue to reshape the meeting and event industry.
IMEX America 2024 and beyond!
IMEX America 2024 was an exceptional 3 days of meetings, activities, immersive experiences, and rich networking opportunities. It represented several transformational aspects of our industry, from sustainability to next-generation technology and beyond! Attendees of IMEX America 2024 saw a glimpse into the future with educational sessions emphasizing current and upcoming trends, empowering them to lean into the future of event planning.
Even though IMEX America 2024 is over, the sea changes it explored are still developing. We’re at the beginning of a whole new era of event planning, which will feature more immersive activities, sustainable solutions, radical technology that evolves faster by the day, and new perspectives from an emerging generation. It’s an exciting time to be in the meeting and event industry. So, if you missed out on IMEX this year, don’t worry—2025 is likely to be just as exciting, if no more exciting than 2024!
