Our Top Tips for IMEX

Our unofficial guide to surviving — and thriving — at IMEX America.

The Stand-Up October 3, 2024 Edited by Miguel Neves View in browser Hi there,   We're heading to IMEX America next week. Perhaps you are, too?   For anyone even thinking of making the trip, I thought I would share some of our top tips for making the most of the meetings industry's largest show.   The show is intense, and it can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers.   The Skift Meetings Innovation Lab is the best way to start your IMEX experience. This planner-only event on Monday, October 7 (2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) brimming with intentional networking and peer-to-peer discussions on key industry topics.   To get you started, here are eight tips to help you prepare for the show. Check what's on (explore the many sessions and events to choose from) Book meetings in advance (if it's not on your calendar, it won't happen) Explore the show floor (get to know the floor plan) Try to book adjacent meetings (avoid walking miles in between meetings) Don't overfill your schedule (no matter how tempted you are, don't do it) Start networking before you travel (connect online before you meet in person) Bring your business cards (physical, digital or keep that LinkedIn QR code handy) Clear your calendar (if you're going to be present, be present) I hope these tips help you get ready.   Find more tips on how to make the most of IMEX America on Skift Meetings. Encore CEO on Tackling AV Budget Challenges and Service Gaps Event planners want better pricing, and service gaps are a challenge. Encore CEO Ben Erwin talked candidly at the Skift Meetings Forum about how the AV giant is addressing these issues. Skift Meetings Forum Video: Growth of The Glasshouse Sponsored by The Glasshouse In this video from Skift Meetings Forum 2024, we hear from Gianluca Sardo, president of The Glasshouse, about how the relatively new venue in New York has built a solid reputation in a short period of time. Sound Healing Adds Calm and Creativity to Meetings and Events  In the fast-paced corporate world, meetings are often marked by stress, endless agendas, and the race to meet deadlines. But what if these high-pressure environments could be transformed into moments of calm, creativity, and focus? LIVE EVENT @ IMEX AMERICA Skift Meetings Innovation Lab at IMEX America 2024 Sponsored by the Budapest Convention Bureau The Skift Meetings Innovation Lab features editorial presentations with fresh industry insights that foster collaborative peer-to-peer discussions. This is a planner-only session for meeting and event planners participating in IMEX America 2024. REGISTER NOW Cendyn Acquires Meetings and Events Data Company Knowland Cloud-based technology company Cendyn has acquired meetings and events data company Knowland. Skift Meetings Forum Uncovers What Stresses Planners Out Most We distilled a day's worth of sessions from the recent Skift Meetings Forum to identify seven of the biggest tension points among planners. Global Exhibition Industry Association Names New CEO Chris Skeith is stepping down as CEO of the Association of Event Organizers to take the helm at UFI from Kai Hattendorf. NEW REPORT Beyond Eco-Friendly: Putting Sustainability at the Center of Meetings and Events Created collaboratively with Destination DC What began as a way to think about making meetings and events more eco-friendly has evolved into implementing steps to create an ecosystem for meetings, events, and conferences — as well as their host destination — to thrive.   In this report, we examine the importance of building a sustainable ecosystem for events from the perspectives of planners, attendees, and the host destination. DOWNLOAD REPORT Rising Event Costs to Challenge 2025 Budgets Taking last year's budget and adding an inflation adjustment will no longer cut it given today's economy. Skift Meetings Forum Video: Putting Connection At the Heart of the Attendee Experience Created collaboratively with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts  In this video from Skift Meetings Forum 2024, Caroline Godden, global brand leader at Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, discusses how creating experiences that maximize opportunities can create connections during meetings. The Expo Group Sells Majority Stake to Private Equity Firm Private equity takes aim at an events company, again. In the latest deal, New State Capital Partners, a private equity firm, has acquired a majority stake in The Expo Group. UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS: IMEX America in Las Vegas, NV (October 7-10) ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE (October 20-23) IBTM world in Barcelona, Spain (November 19-21) Explore our full calendar of industry events here. More From Skift Meetings   Next-Gen FOMO: Why Actual Face Time Beats Screen Time for Gen Z The Old Playbook Will Not Work for Today's Corporate Events Intentional Serendipity: Event Tech and the Future of In-Person Networking Created collaboratively with Stova Dubai To Invest $2.7 Billion in What Will Become the Largest Exhibition Venue in the Middle East AI, Acquisitions, and Adaptation: Cvent's Strategy for Event Tech Leadership Skift Meetings Forum Video: Connecting with Destinations to Inspire Delegates Created collaboratively with Destination DC Enough Already With All These Extra Fees Does Cannabis Belong at Business Events? To ensure there are no pauses in our communication, please add our email address to your contacts: meetings@skift.com. Skift, 35 W 31st St., Frnt 1, New York, NY 10001, USA, (516) 399-0304 Manage preferences