Recently, some of Bishop-McCann’s JOY creators had the privilege of attending IMEX 2024, one of the leading conferences in the events industry. This year’s event brought together industry leaders, creative thinkers, and passionate professionals from around the globe, all eager to share insights and explore the latest trends shaping our field.
We’ll highlight some of the key takeaways from IMEX, focusing on emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and strategies that can elevate your events. Whether you're a seasoned planner or just starting out, these insights will help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of event management. Let’s dive into the highlights and discover how we can transform our approach to creating unforgettable experiences!
What Is IMEX 2024?
The IMEX America conference is described as, "the heartbeat of the global business events community" and includes exhibitors, attendees, networking opportunities, and educational sessions. The conference serves as a comprehensive hub for resources, offering invaluable insights into the latest trends and best practices that empower event organizers to create exceptional corporate events and incentive travel programs—all in one convenient location.
This year, IMEX welcomed a record 15,500 attendees, ready to dive deeper into innovations and emerging technologies in the events and incentives industry. Several Bishop-McCann team members headed to Las Vegas this year to learn about the exciting advancements in events.
Our Top Five Takeaways from IMEX 2024
In just three days at IMEX, we packed in a wealth of exciting news and insights about the events industry. While we’re still processing all the valuable information we gained, we’ve broken down our key takeaways.
1. Personalization: The Event Trend That’s Here to Stay
This year at IMEX, we were happy to see a few familiar trends. While there’s plenty of room for new meeting and event planning features, there are many trends from previous years that still excite attendees. So before you switch gears entirely to the next big thing in events, don’t forget about the tried and true features attendees always appreciate, including personalization.
“It is imperative when planning incentives to ensure the attendee experience is second to none. It is something they have earned and it should be worth it to them. If the experience is something they could have done on their own, it’s not special enough. Push the boundaries of what can be.” – Amber Heintz, Vice President, Program Operations at Bishop-McCann
When it comes to personalization IMEX was filled with suggestions, and a little goes a long way. Even just adding an attendee’s name spelled correctly to the homepage of your event app or asking attendees if they will be celebrating anything while on site (birthday, anniversary, etc.) and giving gift certificates to onsite shops will make a significant impact on their experience.
For recurring events, make use of suggestions attendees make on feedback forms. When suggestions are utilized and attendees see the results, they’ll be delighted planners are considering their preferences. Or if you want to elevate your personalization, why not have a video message waiting in their room from a loved one from home for the first day of an incentive trip?
Additionally, personalization can allow attendees to take control of their experiences. For instance, not everyone will be excited about every excursion planned during an incentive program. That’s why options are important; attendees want the flexibility to choose what they participate in. In addition, make sure to leave room in the schedule for free time to give attendees a chance to experience these programs on their own terms, whether that’s relaxing by the pool, strolling through downtown, or exploring on their own.
Ultimately (and as emphasized at IMEX), meeting and event personalization is about being thoughtful. As planners, we should anticipate what attendees may need and be creative with personal touches – and those touches don’t always have to be over the top and luxurious. Even a favorite snack waiting in the hotel room can be a delightful touch.
2. Welcoming Generation Z to the Events Space
Generation Z is quickly gaining momentum in the workforce, and it’s an audience planners need to keep in mind as they create programs. This generation is expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2030, so it’s critical to begin focusing on these attendees now.
These are the new and recent college graduates entering the workforce, and they’re bringing their own outlook to the table. As digital natives, they embrace technology and navigate its complexities with ease. They have a distinct preference for values-driven events, prioritizing experiences that align with their beliefs. With a work-to-live mentality, they seek meaningful engagement. For event planners, it’s essential to connect with this audience in ways that are both enriching and relevant.
“We currently have 4 generations in the workforce and there is a need to juggle the needs and expectations of all when attending incentives, meetings, and events. What works for one group might not work for others. Take the time to ensure there are ways for each generation to feel seen and included.” – Amber Heintz, Vice President, Program Operations at Bishop-McCann
Essentially, programs should be designed with Gen Z in mind. This includes personalization, inclusivity, creativity, sustainability, and overall authenticity, as well as Instagram-worthy backdrops and free time to allow for flexibility while traveling. As we continue to learn more about this group of attendees, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask your participants what they’d like to see at upcoming events. Some ideas we loved for Gen Z were a giant community paint-by-numbers wall, a DIY trucker hat bar, and branded sneakers.
3. Greater Emphasis on CSR and Sustainability
IMEX’s three-day event seemed to revolve around sustainability. From tables crafted from recycled materials to informative signs guiding attendees on waste separation, the entire atmosphere was centered on minimizing environmental impact. Even the event badges were made without plastic.
In keeping with that theme, many vendors at IMEX also incorporated sustainable efforts into their gifting experiences. Rather than single-use items that produce more waste, we saw many reusable gifts, like tote bags and sunglasses made from recycled wood rather than plastic. We also noticed that several vendors featured at the event, including Aloha Bags, make regular contributions to conservation efforts.
“The biggest takeaways for me were some of the amazing smaller vendors that were bringing in some incredible gifting options with sustainability and giving back as a major part of their business model. Made me feel good about where our industry is headed.” – Erin Loose, Senior Program Manager at Bishop-McCann
Additionally, we were happy to see vendors promoting authentic cultural experiences for incentive travel programs. For any travel experience, ethical tourism is an important component. As visitors to these destinations, we want to ensure we’re immersing attendees into new cultures in a manner that respects communities and educates attendees about their history. Cooking classes featuring area-specific ingredients or hands-on workshops about regional crafts continue to be a great way to learn about the destination and support local artisans or businesses.
4. Promoting Health and Wellness
Health and wellness were also front and center at IMEX, reflecting a growing trend in the events industry to prioritize attendee well-being. From calming painting activities to a pickleball court on the expo floor, we were happy to see a variety of wellness-oriented event activations.
These trends also included food and beverage options. During one session, the director of culinary innovation and training for Canyon Ranch, Pete Ghione, shared the intentions behind the menus he creates, which often feature nutritionally balanced meals. Additionally, there’s a greater emphasis on including zero proof beverage options at events. Not everyone drinks alcohol, especially many young adults in attendance, so planners need to ensure these guests have options, so they don’t feel left out.
5. New Event Technology Experiences
While we went in expecting to see new technology featured at IMEX, we were stunned by the extent of these innovations. Some of the immersive activations showcased were truly captivating. And it’s no surprise that many of these activities included artificial intelligence components.
As we explored these innovations, it became clear that AI is at the forefront of the conversation surrounding new technology, and we noticed an emphasis on education. While AI might still make some planners hesitant when used thoughtfully, it can streamline planning processes and design creative experiences attendees will love. For instance, we loved the AI photo booth on display at the expo. These interactive and customizable photo booths transport attendees into fun backdrops that can be tailored to any brand or event.
But AI isn’t the only technology to keep on your radar. Event tech as a whole enhances the seamlessness of events for both attendees and planners, with some innovations we encountered significantly simplifying the planning process. For example, August Robotics showcased one of their robots that was created to place floor markings for quick, easy layout design and set up, freeing organizers to shift their attention to other tasks.
Final Thoughts for IMEX 2024
These key takeaways are also all tied to one major theme event planners need to master: resiliency. Attending events like IMEX helps keep our team on top of major industry trends, and with trends comes change. Being open to change and adapting as new trends or problems emerge allows planners to foster a culture of innovation in order to continue to surprise and delight attendees.
Fortunately, there are ways to build resiliency as meeting and event planners. From embracing new event technology to prioritizing client relationships and cultivating a talented team, planners can develop and adjust their offerings to keep up with trends. Each year at IMEX, we’re reminded that the events industry is constantly evolving, and by embracing new trends, ideas, and even generations helps us – and our events – stay fresh.
IMEX provides an incredible opportunity to explore current event trends while connecting with fellow industry enthusiasts. More importantly, it allows us to collaborate and enhance our collective understanding of how to better serve our clients. This year was no exception.
With IMEX in the rearview, we can’t wait to apply everything our team has learned to upcoming events. If you’re interested in hearing more about how to incorporate the latest trends into your next corporate meeting or event or incentive travel program, the planners at Bishop-McCann are ready to help!
