IMEX America 2025: A first timer’s perspective

Author

Sara Travis

Regional Sales Manager, Denver, PRA

It’s already time to mark calendars for IMEX America 2026. As a first-time attendee at IMEX America 2025, I was prepared for what was to come in Las Vegas with a mix of curiosity, adrenaline, and a strategically planned calendar. What I found was a whirlwind of collaboration, inspiration, and face-to-face connection that reflected why our industry thrives on relationships.

IMEX is more than a tradeshow. It’s a convergence of global suppliers, destination management companies, hotel partners, venues, gifting experts, and more, all under one roof. It provides the time and place to reconnect live with clients we’ve worked with across time zones and borders throughout the years. That level of partnership, built on trust and shared goals, comes to life in every handshake, solution-focused conversation, and shared meal. We also benefit with access to decision-makers (without the impact of multiple trips), opening doors to new markets and opportunities.

The week kicked off with at Mandalay Bay with a day of education sessions, setting the tone for what was to come. During the week, PRA’s Melanie Hohman, Vice President, Production hosted a standout session on sustainability: Driving impact one step at a time. Melanie led a sustainability panel, featuring Natalie Williams from PRA’s Green Team to spotlight our initiatives as a greener organization. These conversations were informative but also reflected the industry’s evolving priorities and the role we play in shaping them.

First-Timer Pro Tip 1: Attend educational sessions. These sessions can help set your week off on the right foot—energized, engaged and ready for more. Consider arriving early so you have the time to attend key opening sessions.

Each day on the show floor was a balance of booth hours, client appointments, supplier meetings and impromptu learning moments. I made time to visit hotel and CVB partners, attend educational sessions, and explore ideas to keep our clients a step ahead of the curve. The show floor was large enough for GPS-enabled maps which helped navigate miles upon miles walked each day. But the real magic happened in the moments between meetings—when I got pulled into impromptu conversations, shared challenges, and showed who we are beyond the deck. 

First-Timer Pro Tip 2: Know your next move. Plan your schedule but allow flextime so you can fit in everything, including unexpected but important conversations and meetings.

Evenings and time off the show floor were just as important. From client lunches and dinners to hosted buyer events, the face-to-face time was invaluable. 

First-Timer Pro Tip 3: Expect late nights and early mornings. IMEX American runs on adrenaline, the energy is electric and the connections are real. I found wearing sneakers and packing snacks kept me going, comfortably and hangry-free.

IMEX America 2025 First-Timer Pro Tips: 

1. Attend educational sessions - These sessions can help set your week off on the right foot. Energized, engaged and ready for more. Consider arriving to IMEX America early so you have the time to attend key opening sessions
2. Know your next move - Plan your schedule ahead of time but remember to allow flextime so you can fit in everything, including unexpected but important conversations and meetings.
3. Expect late nights and early mornings - IMEX America runs on adrenaline, the energy is electric, and the connections are real. But we can all use a little help getting us through those long days. Wearing sneakers and packing snacks kept me going comfortably and hangry-free.

One of my favorite surprises? The far-reaching flair—from Colombian coffee bars to creative booth builds like Visit California’s digital bear installation. It was a reminder of how global our industry is, and how much pride each destination brings to the mix.

IMEX was a well-rounded experience, with equal parts of education, celebration, and connection. I left inspired, informed, and ready to do it all again next year.