IMEX America 2026 Recap: Day 4
It’s best to end things on a high, and that’s exactly what IMEX America and Smart Meetings did. From the launch of Smart Meetings: Sports to a highlight reel from the creators of the 15-year-long event, day four ended well.
Smart Meetings Launches Smart Meetings: Sports
Smart Meetings: Sports launched on the trade show floor at 11 a.m. Sponsored by Allegiant Stadium and attended by the Paseo Verde Little League All-Star team from Henderson, Nevada, the soon-to-be Las Vegas A’s mascot, Stomper and IMEX attendees.
Smart Meetings: Sports will serve as a go-to resource for youth and amateur club sports, spotlighting the destinations that host these events while also inspiring corporate meeting planners looking to build experiences around major sporting events. Head to Smart Meetings’ sports page for the latest news.
Meetings Beyond the Beach in Phuket
At IMEX America, Banyan Tree Phuket highlighted its meetings and incentives offerings with pairing flexible event spaces with wellness and local cultural experiences.
Located within Thailand’s Laguna Phuket complex, the resort features 218 private pool villas and options for intimate gatherings, larger events and full-property buyouts. Planners can arrange villa receptions and events on a lagoon deck accessible by boat, while incorporating meditation, stretching and sound healing into their programs.
Thai crafts, pearl farm visits and mangrove planting connect groups with local communities, while regional Thai cuisine and customizable excursions offer additional ways to experience the destination.
Accor Puts Meaningful Travel in Focus
ALL Accor, Accor’s booking platform and loyalty program, launched “Stay for More” on Oct. 13, introducing a global campaign focused on personal connections, memorable experiences and the emotional value of travel.
An accompanying OpinionWay survey of 7,019 travelers across seven countries found that 56% associate a successful trip with nature and exceptional scenery, while 47% value immersion in local culture. Meanwhile, 65% favor brands that offer points or benefits.
The campaign highlights access to sports, music, dining and wellness experiences, alongside personalized recognition and member benefits.
Industry Raises $1 Million for Future Hospitality Leaders
An Evening of Legacy and Leadership brought 290 industry professionals to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Oct. 11, raising $1 million for the Brian D. Stevens Hospitality Education Fund.
The event honored Stevens, ConferenceDirect’s creator and executive chairman, as he celebrated his retirement. Emceed by former U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow, the evening featured tributes recognizing Stevens’ influence on the industry and commitment to mentorship.
Proceeds will expand scholarships and educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in hospitality, meetings, events and tourism. The fund’s founding members include leaders from IMEX, MPI, ASAE, PCMA and Destinations International.
IMEX America 2026 Highlights
The last press conference was an overview and celebration of the 15th year IMEX has been held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The panelists included Ray Bloom, chairman and founder of IMEX Group; Steve Hill, CEO of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Stephanie Glanzer, chief sales officer and senior vice president for MGM Resorts International; Rachel Bendick, chief revenue officer for MPI; and Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group.
Benedick highlighted attendance numbers over the four days of IMEX. “We had 2,800 people who participated in Smart Monday,” she stated. “We drew more than 1,000 attendees to our opening keynote, and throughout the day provided 24 sessions, 10 campfire demos and four certificate programs, resulting in 26 hours of continuing education through our good friends at EIC.”
MPI has launched an all-new education system on its website, MPI Academy, as well as MPI Consulting. “This is an arm of MPI that works with both event organizers and partner organizations. We answer questions like, ‘What should an event accomplish?,’ ‘What do attendees need?’ and ‘How will we measure the success?’ For that, we’re also leaning on our community of more than 185,000 people with 12,000 members to help us deliver those answers and work, so that our events really are creating the ROI and the super important ROE part of the equation as well.”
According to Bauer, this was IMEX’s biggest show floor to date, with around 18,000 people in attendance over the course of the event. She said the event grew about 5%, with more than 6,000 buyers, 4,800 of which represent 60 world markets.
Additionally, Bauer mentioned the redevelopment of the organization’s resources for young professionals, launching a redesigned program called the Future Leaders Lab. “We hope very much that it will serve to attract a broader spectrum of students, not just those from events and hospitality degrees, but also those studying finance, economics or marketing,” she said. “This industry offers something incredibly rare in a digital-first world. We want those Gen Zs and those Gen Alphas to know they can have a chance to work in a field where the end product is the human experience.”
Henderson Sport & Social Opens
After IMEX, Digital Content Manager Malik Anderson attended the grand opening of Henderson Sport & Social. The facility features four indoor courts; two indoor turf fields; a gym; 70 arcade games; 20 bowling lanes, including six VIP lanes; laser tag; darts and outdoor mini golf.
Read More: A New Sports Complex Is Opening in Henderson, Nevada
At Henderson Sport & Social, sports event planners will be able to host tournaments, individuals can rent courts and fields, as well as join a league.
Previous IMEX America 2026 Recaps
IMEX America 2026 Recap: Day 3
