Smart attendees will put a big X on the map for the IMEX Tech Zone. The IMEX Build Lab managed by Dahlia El Gazzar’s Dahlia+Agency will turn planners into builders, where even AI novices will be empowered to turn cocktail napkin ideas into tools that make a difference in the daily task list. “Bring your ‘what if,’ and we will turn it into something real, on screen, on the spot with vibe coding,” said El Gazzar. This dedicated space for solopreneurs and innovators will turn education into action.
Meanwhile, at the IMEX Tech Stage, the focus is on humanizing AI and making sessions more engaging, interactive and meaningful. Fun, inventive ideas, game-like interactions and visual storytelling will be on the agenda.
Sustainability in Action
In addition to formal presentations, one IMEX superpower is demonstrating best practices for many of the topics discussed on stage. The conference has long been a leader in sustainability initiatives and reports annually on the successes—and the things that could be improved, so everyone can iterate together.
Food and beverage programming will highlight options for managing dietary needs, GLP-1 impacts, demand for non-alcoholic options and sustainable menus. After the presentations, community table areas make it easy to ask your questions to speakers such as Hilton Senior Director of Catering and Events for the Americas Zena Phillips, Greener by Default Corporate Engagement Manager Taylor Flores and Eating at a Meeting podcast host Tracy Struckrath.
“Here’s the reality: We are feeding people the same way we’ve been feeding them for decades, and it’s not how people eat anymore,” Endean said. “We have to be responsive to that.”
Endean explained that wellness and environmental stewardship go together because sustainability is the sum of people, planet and profit. All of those things need to thrive if any of them are to continue to function. Human-centered design insights will come from Dr. Matthew Zakreski, speaker Summer Jelinek and Human Capacity Design consultant Yush Sztalkoper.
The Real Real
The agenda is designed to go beyond inspiring to sharing real boots-on-the-ground lessons for where audiences are in 2026. “We came out of Covid five years ago—even though it feels like a million years—and went through a tricky transition with a lot of discussion around AI prompts. Now it’s time to get real. Costs are higher, expectations higher. What we need is plain talk about how to plan better live events that create more human dialog and support humans in ways that are going to make a positive difference. That’s what we’re doing,” Endean explained.
Through storytelling, an interactive app, dedicated areas for wellness, recovery and discovery, opportunities to make this your best IMEX ever are easier to find than ever for those who are prepared with a plan to take notes on post-event action items because it can all be a blur very quickly.
Encore Activation Returns with a Personal Touch
Event production company Encore is returning with a new immersive experience on the show floor. “Unlock Your Design DNA” will showcase the intersection of intentional event design, emerging technology and human connection to create more engaging, memorable and measurable events.
Attendees will begin their experience by entering the Encore Design Lab through an immersive vortex before exploring interactive stations that help uncover their unique event design DNA. They can compare the results with evolving attendee expectations and how their design decisions support or distract from engagement, learning and event impact.
Participants will also learn lessons for strengthening connections and measuring business outcomes from the Experience Design Report produced in partnership with Boldpush. They will leave with an understanding of the innovations that will shape 2027 and how AI is transforming events along with the truth about hotel pricing. Event technology is advancing quickly. Spending some time with an AI concierge, OLED touchscreen experiences and other innovations could be the spark that leads to a more connected future.
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