IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer spoke during a Joint Meetings Industry Council press conference at IMEX America to voice her support for JMIC’s efforts behind the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative. To date, there are 109 signatories to a four-point pledge to move to net zero carbon by 2050, including IMEX Group.

Delilah Mesrobian (center), Landmark Incentive Marketing, enjoys some time with AMR Collection representatives, Rosy Altamirano, CIS, (left) and Mary Paz Ramirez.

The hosted-buyer lounge was a popular spot to catch up with old friends and take a break from the show.

Stephanie Moyer (left), Talley Management Group, sits down for a meeting with Dion James-Zanfordino, CASE, Visit Lauderdale, on the final morning of the show.

IMEX America’s People and Planet section of the show floor displayed information on its Nature Talking Point as well as its People and Planet pledges for exhibitors and attendees.

Hope and Ken Caldwell, KLH Group, show off the play shed that IMEX America attendees helped to complete on the trade show floor. Working with KLH, IMEX donated the shed to Luna, a young girl from the Las Vegas area (shown in the cut out) who suffers from brain cancer.

Caesars Entertainment’s Nick Giannetti, CMP, and Lisa Laskey, have a minute to chat before attendees begin arriving on the IMEX America show floor at 9 a.m.

Everyone attending IMEX had to show proof of Covid immunization. U.S. attendees used the Clear Health Pass for verification.

Some exhibitors used spaces off the show floor to connect with their desired audiences. For instance, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board held an informational breakfast for meetings-industry journalists in a boardroom at Mandalay Bay’s convention center.

Many destinations brought large teams of salespeople to IMEX so they could accommodate as many one-on-one conversations with event buyers as possible.

Rosemarie Rossetti, an expert on participant-accessibility issues at in-person and virtual events, presented at the Inspiration Hub education area on the show floor. She helped planners and suppliers better understand the needs of attendees and speakers with physical restrictions so that they can fully participate in business events.

International visitors from more than 30 countries could travel into the U.S. as of November 8. Many IMEX international exhibitors flew to Vegas on that day, arriving in time for the November 9 show opening.

Each exhibitor’s approach to grabbing the attention of attendees is unique. For instance, Switzerland chose to highlight its pastoral beauty by using bovine models.

Arizona Tourism’s sponsor signage around the show floor came with human props. Here, two women who have perfected the art of stilt-walking smile for passersby.

One marketing agency that focuses on the meetings industry, Dahlia+, offered free technology advice to planners facing specific challenges. And after their one-on-one consultations, planners could pose for a photo with a very lifelike wax model of action-film star Vin Diesel.

In the Meeting Professionals International booth, a company called Gather Voices set up a camera inside a ring light to capture high-quality attendee-generated content. Such content can be used to educate fellow attendees or others after an event, or to promote the next event.

Just before more than 1,000 people arrived at a Hilton Hotels reception, the outdoor terrace of the new Hilton-managed Resorts World Las Vegas was ready with food stations, bars, entertainment areas, and a fabulous view down the Strip.