Meet the cover leaders at IMEX America 2024
Listen to audio Latest Updates on Past Catalyst Award Winners As we walked the aisles of IMEX America 2024 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center this month, we saw many Smart Meetings Catalyst Award winners. We asked these leaders, who also appear on the cover of Smart Meetings, to tell us what's going on in their lives and how they support meeting professionals. Lisa Messina Since Messina was named the 2022 Fusion Catalyst Award winner, she has transitioned from her position as chief sales officer at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to chief sales officer at Visit Orlando. She said the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) recently announced it has an annual economic impact of approximately $3.9 billion on the Central Florida economy, including direct, indirect and induced impacts, according to a new study by PFM Group Consulting . In recent years, OCCC has held an average of nearly 200 events, attracting approximately 1.5 million visitors to the…
IMEX releases 4 popular event technology innovations
From technology centers to breakout sessions, event technology innovation is one of the hottest topics at IMEX America 2024. Here are four event technology products that caught our eye. LAS VEGAS – This year’s IMEX America, held October 8-11 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, attracted more than 15,000 attendees, including more than 5,000 buyers, on-site There's no shortage of tech to test drive. Yes, while one of the hottest topics at breakouts and trade shows is how to use AI at their trade shows and events, the buzz isn’t always about AI. From cool startups like Backtrack by Yac, highlighted in the Tech Trek feature in TSE’s August issue, to established giants like Cvent, the showroom was filled with new, innovative, time-saving and cool event technology, including artificial intelligence driven technologies and other technologies. Here are some new products and enhancements to existing products that caught our attention. Cvent has newly acquired Splash. Speaking of Cvent...the…
IMEX panel discusses gender equality in global business
LAS VEGAS – The challenges facing women in the events industry took center stage at IMEX America 2024, a conference titled “Giving Voice: Uniting Women to Achieve Equality in Business Events,” focusing on gender equality and Inclusiveness. The panel, held Oct. 8 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, was premised on the premise that gender equality in business varies by region. Panelists representing Europe, Africa and the United States detailed the unique challenges they face. Panelists include German-born Tanja Bauer-Glueck, a business and leadership coach specializing in growth management and founder of Bauer Business Beratung Mainz. She was joined by Lipian Mtandabari, Director of Operations at Ntsako Travel Africa and a leader in LGBTQ+ travel growth and development across Africa, and Tess Vismale, Founder and CEO of iSocialExecution and an award-winning events industry leader, including the inaugural Women in Tech Influence Awards 2023. The panel was moderated by Ashley Brundage, President and CEO of Empowering Differences. As a transgender woman,…
Smart Monday kicks off at IMEX America in Las Vegas
Listen to audio With G2E Global Gaming Expo coming to The Venetian, Las Vegas Uber drivers once again busy dodging F1 lane closures on the Las Vegas Strip, IMEX America returns to Mandalay with the ultimate educational pre-race event, 'Smart Monday' Lewan Conference Center, organized by international professionals. The Smart Meetings team was in town, speaking on panels, hugging us through the aisles of the North Convention Center, and sending these notes from the expo floor. Champagne Creative Group Motivating Insights: One of the first press releases came in the form of a shared session moderated by IRF's Stephanie Harris and SITE's Pádraic Gilligan, with expert input from Maggie Worthington (Hilton), Jennifer Attersall (Destination Canada) and Justin Myers (Bishop-McCann) Comment, announcing the 2024 Incentive Travel Index (ITI), predicts growth for the incentive travel industry through 2026. Incentive travel buyers expect activity and per-person spending over the next two years to exceed 2024 levels. However, they also reported concerns about rising…
Preview of IMEX America 2024 with Carina, CEO of IMEX Group
LAS VEGAS – Event professionals around the world are preparing to Mandalay Bay Convention Center for IMEX USAwhich will be held from October 8 to 10. Trade Show Executive In conversation with CEO Carina Bauer IMAX Groupoutlined the show’s expected growth and exciting new features and partnerships, including enhanced offerings for first-time attendees. Super strong growth Bauer said IMEX America plans to bring in more new exhibitors than ever this year and increase net square footage. When she spoke to TSE, all key metrics for buyers were flat year-over-year. “As every trade show organizer knows, it’s not how many buyers register, it’s how many show up,” Ball said. “I feel confident in the numbers we are projecting and excited to get the show off the ground.” Additionally, IMEX America is seeing growing demand in North America, South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and China. “What’s important here is what this demand represents – a strong market with a robust…
SUPERZOO Report: Audience Growth and Quality to Rise in 2024
Las Vegas Super Zoo,Depend on World Pet Association (WPA) Mandalay Bay Convention Center From August 14 to 16, the market once again took the title of the largest pet products trading market this year, according to WPA. SUPERZOO 2024 welcomed more than 22,000 registrants, about 4,000 more than last year, and saw a 2% increase in the number of key retailers, buyers and decision makers. Its exhibition hall space expanded to 334,000 square feet, about 4,000 square feet more than last year, and more than 1,100 exhibitors. In addition, more than 1,100 new products made their debut at the show. "Our growth this year was no accident—it's the result of a strategic focus on quality," said Mike Karsting, senior vice president of the World Pet Association. "But it's not just about the numbers; it's about the impact these attendees bring. Our goal is to attract the industry's top players, those who are truly driving innovation and success in pet retail.…
IMEX America to host zero-waste event in 2023, plans in place
Las Vegas IMAX Published IMEX US Sustainability Report 2023revealed how it had achieved its fifth consecutive year of zero-waste activity (defined as an activity where at least 90% of overall waste was composted or recycled). Roger Lehner, IMEX senior director of operations and sustainability, said: "Sustainability has been a top priority since the event began in 2011. "We have been working very hard to measure the waste generated at our events and to improve the percentage that avoids going to landfill. It has been a long process but we are very proud that we have now had five years of zero waste events in a row." How the IMEX team did it IMEX America Mandalay Bay Convention Center by 2023. More than 90 percent of waste was diverted from landfills to organics, material recovery and donation channels. The show donated approximately 9,998 pounds of recycled event materials, office supplies and furniture to those in need in Clark County and recycled…
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