IMEX Set to Launch U.S. Version of Overseas Show

In 2011, the IMEX Group will launch IMEX America, a U.S.-based version of the company's overseas show for incentive travel, meetings and events.

Set to take place Oct. 11-13, 2011, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, the new show will focus on business, internationally hosted buyer programs and industry collaboration, addressing a need for a program of its caliber in North America, according to show organizers.

IMEX America will take place just four months after Reed Exhibitions' planned June launch of the Americas Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition in Baltimore.

Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group, said IMEX America will deliver the largest hosted buyer program in North America, at which top meetings and incentive buyers will travel and stay free as guests.

“We are forecasting 1,500 hosted buyers, of whom 80 percent will originate from within North America – the balance arriving from across the world,” he added. “We will also conduct large-scale visitor marketing campaigns to attract several thousand more key decision-makers from across the country.”

The show will benefit from a partnership between the IMEX Group, Meeting Professionals Intl. and a broad coalition of industry support. SITE, an association for incentive travel, will hold its annual conference Oct. 13-15, while the Intl. Congress & Convention Assn., Destination Marketing Assn. Intl., Intl. Assn. of Congress Centres, American Society of Assn. Executives and European Cities Marketing all will lend support with marketing or education initiatives.

Bruce MacMillan, president and CEO of MPI, said his association is happy to contribute to the new show. “As a longtime partner of the IMEX Group, we are honored to be the strategic partner in IMEX America,” he said, “to provide compelling educational experiences to the entire meetings and event industry as part of this tremendous new marketplace opportunity.”