LAS VEGAS — Planners attending IMEX America will have access to new education streams and networking opportunities at the show, which runs Oct. 18 to 20, in Las Vegas.
IMEX America’s education program runs all week after its usual professional development start on Oct 17, Smart Monday. The first of the daily MPI keynotes along with a new Association Focus program, PCMA’s Business School and the extended Executive Meetings Forum are among Smart Monday’s learning opportunities.
A new Senior Planners Open Forum has been confirmed to run throughout the show for planners with 10-plus years experience. These facilitated, crowd-sourced sessions will provide senior planners with an opportunity to exchange ideas and challenges on a range of topics from leading a team to proving the value of the meeting department.
Hosted buyer services at the show have been extended with the introduction of three new zones within the hosted buyer lounge. Each zone is supported by an exhibiting sponsor. The Hyatt Regency Recharge Zone will offer massages, manicures and cell phone recharging, while Atlantis is offering a Relax Zone and Turkish Airlines is supporting the reception area and concierge services.
Online schedules are now open. These give all pre-registered hosted buyers and buyer attendees full access to the show’s appointment system, which provides them with a personal online schedule through which to make exhibitor appointments. Buyers are being encouraged to confirm key appointments as soon as possible and send RFPs in good time. This will enable them to make the most of their time by arranging all their business meetings and schedule in all the education sessions they want to attend.
Zenvoy’s new ‘buyer to buyer’ networking service, which facilitates introductions between buyers who share common attributes, is also free for all hosted buyers and buyer attendees. In addition, the hosted buyer lounge will feature a new Networking Hub, with the IMEX hosted buyer team facilitating networking sessions at key times throughout the show.
Boosting the show’s hallmark hosted buyer program is the addition of 17 new hosted buyer groups, brought to the show by Accor UK & France, ESA Latin America, HB Hospitality, Marriott Canada, Melia Hotels International – Southeast, Sandals, Signature Boston, SmithBucklin and Visit Park City.
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