IMEX America Highlights Landmark Week for Event Industry
October 23, 2018
Billed as the incentive travel, meetings and events industry’s largest trade show in the U.S., IMEX America 2018broke its own records for success last week. Held Oct. 16-18 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, this was the show’s eighth consecutive year in Las Vegas.
According to IMEX Group, the show boasted the following statistics:
- 13,000 estimated participants
- 6,000 attendees
- 3,300 hosted buyers
- More than 3,500 exhibitors
- More than 150 countries represented
- 70,000 estimated appointments
- Economic impact of $19.1 million
Smart Monday, the MPI-powered day of education immediately prior to IMEX America, also broke its previous attendance record.
The success of IMEX America, particularly the economic impact, illustrated what IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom called “a landmark week” for the events industry.
“(The) announcement at IMEX America that globally, business events generate over $1 trillion in direct spending, matching the consumer electronics sector in size, puts its economic contribution into clear perspective and places it among the world’s leading business markets,” Bloom explained.
Las Vegas is no stranger to generating economic impact. As industry leaders referenced during GMID 2018, the city is home to three of the top 10 largest convention centers in North America and has been the number one trade show destination for the past 24 years.
In 2017, Las Vegas hosted a record-breaking 6.6 million business travelers and hosted nearly 22,000 meetings.
“In Las Vegas, the event industry professionals and facilities for events represent the global industry at its best,” said IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer.
She continued, “Their professionalism and cooperation have played an important role in the development of the show. The relationships we have built here have become like family and helped to make Las Vegas feel like our second home.”
IMEX America 2019 will return to the Sands Expo Sept. 10-12 and will take place Sept. 15–17 in 2020. The event is committed to exhibiting in Las Vegas through 2025.
To learn more about IMEX Group and its future events, go HERE.
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Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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