LAS VEGAS — Oct. 13-15, event professionals will fill the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for IMEX America, exchanging ideas, leveling up their skills, making new connections and reconnecting with old ones.
IMEX America 2026 will be its largest to date by net square feet, with the show floor expanding by around 5% compared to last year.
Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, spoke to Trade Show Executive (TSE) about what attendees can expect.
“Our industry is built on bringing people together, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about meeting and event buyers from more than 70 countries gathering to exchange ideas, forge new connections and spark conversations that can grow into lasting partnerships, friendships and business opportunities,” Bauer said. “Business meetings remain the foundation of the show, but we’ve designed IMEX America to create value far beyond pre-scheduled meetings. The show brings together a global industry in one place while creating countless smaller moments for meaningful interaction.”
Intentional Design
This year, the event has been planned through the lens of IMEX’s 2026/27 Talking Point: Design Matters.
“For us, design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about intentionally shaping experiences around human needs,” Bauer said. “This thinking runs right through IMEX America, from the way people network and learn to how they rest, recharge and navigate the show. We know attendees are now looking for experiences that are more personal, more engaging and more balanced, so we’ve designed the show to support that.”
An example of this thinking can be found in its Circadian Cove Rx, a physician-guided wellness experience, and Resilience Room, powered by Hello! Destination Management, a quiet place for rest.
Learn more about these features in TSE’s latest trend report.
The show’s exhibitors have also embraced Design Matters to enhance the attendee experience and encourage conversation.
In fact, it will have more sponsor activations than ever before, and many will be concentrated near the entrance to create a vibrant, welcoming experience from the outset.
Highlights include Scottsdale’s immersive 360-degree LED tunnel inspired by the Sonoran Desert, Newport Beach’s Southern California beach scene, a destination-inspired Hawaii activation, Destination Canada’s wellness-focused hydration station, Disney’s interactive hologram experience and Major League Baseball’s personalized baseball card activity.
Also, IMEX America has introduced five new learning tracks exploring different aspects of Design Matters. Its new Designing for Spectacle track will feature speakers behind the FIFA World Cup 2026, Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Area15 and the Las Vegas Golden Knights to explore how they create engagement, emotional connection and lasting impact at scale.
A Hands-On Experience
“According to American Express Global Business Travel’s 2026 Global Meetings & Events Forecast, 42% of attendees now want more interactive learning, 40% want more networking opportunities and 37% expect more personalized experiences,” Bauer said. “At IMEX America, that translates into a show experience designed around choice, relevance and participation.”
Exhibitors are creating hands-on activations and immersive experiences that encourage attendees to actively engage rather than simply observe, and the education program will support different learning styles with initiatives such as “block learning” where attendees can dive deeper into a single topic and Catalyst Lab — a new leadership workshop.
Buyers can build schedules around their own priorities, choosing who they meet, when they meet them and which educational and networking activities best match their objectives.
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