IMEX America 2025: The Only Guide You Need Before You Hit Las Vegas

Aug 20, 2025 Yashvi Shah

Three days. One roof. A year’s worth of networking and deals. That's IMEX America 2025, returning to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center October 7–9, and it's where the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry converges to shape the future.   

With more than 15,500 attendees from 180+ countries, IMEX America has earned its reputation as the most comprehensive gathering for everyone who makes business events happen. There’s a seat at the table for everyone, whether you're negotiating million-dollar deals or exploring career paths.  

Who Should Attend IMEX America 2025?  

IMEX America 2025 targets six distinct groups with tailored benefits:  

• Buyers receive free access to 3,500+ exhibitors  

• Hosted buyers receive all-expenses-paid VIP treatment  

• Exhibitors reach qualified decision-makers  

• Press professionals access breaking industry news  

• Students gain free career mentorship  

• Association leaders tackle governance challenges through specialized forums  

Here’s a closer look at each group.  

Tech Buyers and Meeting Professionals  

Buyers and meeting professionals are corporate planners, association executives, event agencies, and in-house experts who source venues, suppliers, and services for business events. If you are a professional managing event budgets and multi-vendor sourcing decisions, IMEX America 2025 delivers direct access to your entire supply chain in three concentrated days. You'll reduce sourcing time from months to hours while accessing 3,500+ exhibitors from 150+ countries under one roof.  

Here's what makes it invaluable:  

• Free attendance to the largest meetings industry trade show  

• 150+ education sessions across seven specialized tracks  

• Buyer-led meeting system that lets you schedule appointments before you arrive  

• CMP and CSEP accreditation points to advance your professional credentials  

The time savings alone justify your trip—pre-scheduled appointments cut months of emails into three focused days. The pre-scheduled appointment system ensures you're engaging in strategic, outcome-driven conversations that accelerate decision-making.  

Stop by booth #F216 and meet the Eventcombo team to explore how our venue management and meeting management tools simplify event sourcing and scheduling.  

Hosted Buyers  

Hosted buyers are high-volume event professionals who regularly plan large-scale international events with significant budgets and confirmed future programs. For planners managing multiple events annually with substantial spending authority, the Hosted Buyer program eliminates your travel costs while maximizing your business opportunities.  

• Complimentary flights and accommodation with the industry's most flexible cancellation policy  

• VIP lounge access for work sessions between meetings  

• Dedicated concierge support to optimize your schedule  

• Flexibility is built in with zero penalties if plans shift  

You'll network with peers, 27% controlling budgets over $10 million and familiar with the scope of your role.  

Schedule a visit to booth #F216, meet the Eventcombo team and explore our AI-driven Event Management Platform capabilities.

Exhibitors and Suppliers  

Exhibitors and suppliers include destinations, hotels, venues, technology providers, transportation companies, and service providers selling to the meetings industry. IMEX America brings your target market together in one location, providing measurable ROI through direct buyer access.  

Here’s what the numbers reveal:  

• 76% of buyers have purchasing power exceeding $1 million  

• 86,000+ pre-scheduled meetings facilitate genuine business connections  

• 85% of exhibitors return year after year, proving the platform's value  

Your package includes real-time lead scanning, instant buyer messaging, and high-visibility sponsorships that extend your reach.  

Stop by booth #F216 to meet the Eventcombo team and see how our solutions enhance exhibitor ROI and lead engagement with tools like the lead retrieval app and Open API integration.

Press and Media  

Press and media professionals are journalists, editors, and content creators covering the meetings, events, and travel industries for trade publications, digital platforms, and mainstream media. For media professionals covering industry trends, IMEX America delivers concentrated access to breaking news, executive interviews, and market intelligence.   

The 82 press attendees from eight countries who participated last year gained access to:  

• Free press accreditation with full show access  

• Dedicated Press Center featuring daily briefings and resources  

• Exclusive interviews with industry leaders and exhibitors  

• Breaking news on industry trends, technology launches, and market shifts  

With global industry leaders on-site, IMEX provides a reporting opportunity that generates months of content in just a few days.  

Meet the Eventcombo team at booth #F216 to explore our tools that streamline planning and execution of media-focused events.  

Students and Academics  

Students are final-year hospitality, event management, or tourism course participants exploring career opportunities in business events. Academics are faculty members teaching event-related subjects and conducting industry research. Students and educators gain direct exposure to industry practices and networking opportunities.  

For students:  

• Free participation in the Future Leaders Forum  

• Career guidance from industry veterans  

• Real-world insights that complement classroom learning  

• Networking opportunities to jump-start your professional network  

For faculty:  

• Faculty Engagement Program connecting academics with industry practitioners  

• Research opportunities and access to industry data  

• Peer discussions on curriculum development and industry alignment  

The impact is measurable: 95% of students report being more likely to enter the industry after attending. For educators, it's your chance to ensure your programs reflect current industry needs and trends.  

Visit the Eventcombo team at booth #F216 to see how our platform elevates education industry events.

Trade Association Professionals  

Trade association professionals are executives and staff members managing membership organizations, industry associations, and professional societies that host conferences, meetings, and events. If you are one such association leader balancing member needs with revenue goals, IMEX America provides specialized forums addressing your unique operational challenges.  

• Association Leadership Forum with peer-to-peer learning  

• Expert panel sessions on governance and growth strategies  

• Roundtable discussions tackling common association challenges  

• Specialized networking with fellow association executives  

These are not generic business sessions. They're targeted discussions designed for your specific operational challenges.  

Meet the Eventcombo team at booth #F216 to see our platform designed specifically to simplify association event management.

What You'll Experience: Beyond the Show Floor  

IMEX America extends far beyond the traditional event marketplace. Here are additional excellent schedule tracks that attendees can explore.  

Educational Sessions  

The free education program spans four days with 150+ sessions covering everything from sustainability measurement to AI integration. Specialized tracks include:  

• Corporate Focus for in-house event managers  

• She Means Business promoting diversity and female leadership  

• Innovation Track showcasing emerging technologies  

• Sustainability Forum addressing environmental impact  

Each session offers practical takeaways you can implement immediately. You’ll also earn CMP and CSEP accreditation points, making it a smart investment in your development.  

Impact 2.0: Activating the Future at IMEX America 2025  

Impact 2.0 is the core theme for IMEX America 2025, driving the industry from inspiration to measurable action in threae key areas: talent, connection, and sustainability.  

1. The Next Gen: Attracting Tomorrow's Talent 

By 2030, Millennials and Gen Z will make up 74% of the workforce. IMEX focuses on offering purposeful career paths, flexible options, and tech-driven experiences to engage and retain this crucial talent pool. 

1. Social Connection: Building Community 
   With loneliness identified as a pressing health threat by the WHO, IMEX prioritizes meaningful interactions and inclusive event design that foster real relationships and a sense of belonging beyond business networking. 

1. De-risking the Future: Sustainable Events 
   Facing the 2030 climate targets, the industry commits to reducing environmental impact through zero-waste practices, transparent carbon measurement, and innovative sustainability solutions, highlighted by the IMEX-EIC Innovation Award. 

Networking Reimagined  

IMEX America takes networking beyond traditional business card exchanges through innovative formats designed for authentic connection:  

IMEXrun Las Vegas  

Join colleagues for a 5km fun run as dawn breaks over Las Vegas on Wednesday morning, October 8. Start the day with a 5km "sweat-working" run, combining fitness with natural networking.  

Targeted Networking Formats  

IMEX also hosts focused gatherings for specific segments and stakeholders:  

• SITE NITE North America for incentive travel professionals  

• Mountain Meetings Reception with destination sponsors  

• Hosted Buyer exclusive events including lunches and booth receptions  

• VIP receptions throughout Las Vegas venues  

Wellness and Well-being  

IMEX America prioritizes attendee wellness through comprehensive programs that address both physical and mental health:  

IMEX Well-being Challenge  

Powered by Heka Health, this interactive challenge encourages participants to engage in wellness activities while competing for prizes. Activities include:  

• Step tracking and fitness challenges  

• Guided meditation and breathwork sessions  

• Optional gratitude prompts to recharge between sessions  

• Activity logging for various fitness pursuits  

Restorative Spaces  

Recognizing the intensity of three action-packed days, IMEX America provides dedicated areas for mental wellness, quiet reflection, and restorative breaks:  

• The Neu Project Resilience Room powered by Google Xi and Hello! DMC—a calming retreat designed to soothe the senses  

• Quiet Lounge sponsored by Lux Lounge, featuring Zen Pods for private conversations  

• Zen Work Lounge with soundproof booths for focused work sessions  

Show Floor Activations  

Experience interactive installations that inspire creativity and connection:  

Creative Collaborations  

• Paintillio: Join a collaborative paint-by-numbers wall where attendees contribute to a collective masterpiece  

• Ryan the Poet: Meet the show's wordsmith who creates bespoke poetry written in the moment, perfect for social media content  

Innovation Showcases  

Discover cutting-edge event technology through hands-on demonstrations, the IMEX-EIC Innovation Awards, and exhibitor product launches that shape the industry's future.  

These activations blend learning, wellness, and networking, making three days in Vegas productive and memorable.  

The Industry's Party of the Year  

Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Drai's Beach Club and Nightclub, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment. This signature afterparty brings together the entire industry for an unforgettable evening of networking, entertainment, and celebration in one of Las Vegas's most exclusive venues.  

Quick-Reference: Who Benefits and How  

Why Visiting IMEX America 2025 Is a Must  

Efficiency is unmatched: 86,000+ pre-scheduled meetings create millions in potential business. Buyers and exhibitors gain unmatched access and ROI, while all attendees connect with industry trends. For everyone, it’s the annual chance to stay connected with industry trends.   

The sustainability initiatives, wellness programs and diversity focus reflect an industry maturing beyond traditional metrics.   

Your Next Step  

Eventcombo is on-site at IMEX America 2025 at booth #F216. Book a podcast slot or schedule a quick strategy meeting. Discover the power of AI to amplify your event impact.