Demand for space at IMEX America 2012 continues to grow following a successful launch show in October 2011. Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group, announced today that he expects the trade show to fill both Halls C and D of the Sands Expo in Las Vegas this year – a full two years ahead of schedule.
As at its sister show in Frankfurt, IMEX America, saw a particularly strong representation from the major hotel groups – including their widespread participation in the hosted buyer program. Demand from this sector continues to grow strongly with Fairmont, Four Seasons, Hyatt, IHG, Loews, Mandarin Oriental, NH Hotels, Starwood and Wyndham amongst those who have already booked more space.
Demand from a variety of new exhibitors is also strong. New exhibitors already confirmed for 2012 range from Abu Dhabi to Hawaii and Long Beach to Dave & Busters.
Hosted buyer program set to expand in 2012
In line with the increase in the number of exhibitors attending in 2012, IMEX America will also be significantly expanding the size of its hosted buyer program – already the largest to take place in the United States. Last year 2,000 hosted buyers attended the show – 80% from North America with the balance originating from 34 world markets. Existing partners, including Strategic Partner, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and the show’s Headquarters Hotel, The Venetian®|The Palazzo®, are set to bring bigger groups of their key customers to the show this fall, along with a number of other new intermediaries already confirmed.
Industry enthusiasm for the 2012 show is a direct reflection of positive feedback received immediately following IMEX America’s debut, with exhibitors achieving strong levels of interest and follow-up business as a result of taking a booth.
Bloom explains: “We’ve been pleasantly surprised to see such a high demand for booth space with eight months still to go before the next show. Of those exhibitors who have contracted since the start of the year, just over a third have doubled the size of their booth. It’s a very positive start to the year and augurs well for the months ahead.”
