The market-leading annual trade show for the global events industry. IMEX America ’24 attracted 15,800 participants, comprising 5,700 buyers from 75 countries and 3500 exhibiting companies.
Our 2024 aim was to deliver a large scale global business event in Las Vegas while minimizing our environmental impact and meeting our ESG goals, without compromising customer experience or production quality. We set out to: 1 measure our event’s carbon footprint & achieve zero waste certification; 2 make sustainability education accessible to all; 3 share what we learned (post-show) & amplify best practice; 4 give back to local communities at home & at our shows; 5 champion the positive impacts of meetings/events and 6 pilot the Better Stands Initiative to create a safer, healthier build environment. 2 years ago we launched an IMPACT team whose role is to define & implement an ESG framework (environmental, social, governance) across the business and our shows, adding to an existing but volunteer ‘green squad.’ All sustainability work is guided by our vision and values: “A thriving global events industry focused on positive change.” and “Lead the way; Achieve Together, People First.”
IMEX has incrementally reduced its carbon footprint via environmental innovation since 2012 (year 2 of IMEX America). In ’24 we designed and built a dedicated People & Planet Theater; a focal point for sustainability education, resources and access to experts on the show floor. We produced a dedicated IMPACT education track (1 of 9 tracks) reflecting our ’24 content theme – Impact – and gave attendees 94 learning sessions on ESG, CSR, sustainable event planning, belonging, inclusion, accessibility, best practice, and more. As in prior years, we worked with an independent partner who audited the show. We held ourselves accountable by sharing results publicly in our Sustainable Event Report 2024. Working with Mandalay Bay 1 year in advance we also influenced catering practices to allow use of bulk condiment dispensers, bamboo cutlery, compostable coffee cups/lids and renewable service ware. We also made use of the new Las Vegas Polymer Center, America’s first plastics recycling center
