IMEX America, the world’s leading trade show for the meeting, incentive, and event industry, was held from the 6th to the 9th of October, 2025, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas, including the Smart Monday program of lectures and educational sessions. In its 14th edition, this largest global MICE event once again confirmed its status as the key gathering point for professionals from the meetings industry, bringing together over 17,000 participants, including around 6,000 hosted buyers and 3,700 exhibiting companies from 150 countries worldwide. Over the course of three days, more than 90,000 pre-scheduled meetings were held, enabling IMEX America to surpass its leading European counterparts — IMEX Frankfurt and IBTM Barcelona.
Croatia and Dubrovnik Once Again in the Spotlight
Croatia was traditionally represented at the joint national stand, organized by the Convention Bureaus of both the Dubrovnik and the Zagreb Tourist Boards. Alongside them, the country’s congress and incentive offer was presented by hotels Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, Valamar Riviera, and Maistra Hospitality Group, as well as DMC agencies Intours DMC, Katarina Line, Konture DMC, Proconventa – Incentive Croatia DMC, and Toptours DMC.
Interest in Croatia was remarkable, and Dubrovnik once again stood out as the most sought-after Croatian destination, particularly for incentive and corporate events. The greatest interest came from the USA, Canada, South America, and Mexico. Organizers emphasized the importance of Dubrovnik’s direct flight connection with New York, which significantly enhances the city’s perception and attractiveness as a business destination.
Buyers showed concrete interest in hotel and conference infrastructure, as well as unique historical venues for hosting events. They were particularly intrigued by new incentive programs, gastronomic experiences, and outdoor activities. During the show, Romana Vlasic, head of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board’s Convention Bureau, held more than 35 business meetings, while Croatian exhibitors expressed great satisfaction with the level of interest and potential collaborations for the 2026–2029 period.
Important new partnerships were also established, including discussions with representatives of The Meetings Space regarding Dubrovnik’s upcoming role as host of the MICE Forum in October 2026.
A Comprehensive Educational Program
Alongside the exhibition, IMEX America 2025 offered a rich educational program featuring more than 250 sessions, focused on strengthening professional expertise and fostering a sense of community within the global MICE industry.
Some of the most notable sessions included:
- Community Builders – the importance of creating people-centred organizations and fostering belonging.
- Event Logistics – legal and business challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
- Experiential Event Design – the power of storytelling in creating transformative experiences.
- Tech Innovation & AI – practical tools and AI workflows that shorten sales cycles and improve marketing results.
- Well-being – healthy and sustainable menus as part of a long-term approach to participant wellness.
The educational program began with Smart Monday, powered by MPI, dedicated to specialized training for association, corporate, and agency professionals, featuring a Speaker Showcase with international lecturers.
Optimistic Trends in the Global Meetings Industry
According to the latest Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey, optimism among event and meeting planners continues to grow. Despite challenges related to rising costs, planning and booking activity remains strong, and the value of face-to-face meetings is still recognized as essential to business success worldwide.
Survey results indicate that organizers expect a moderate increase in the number of events and participants, while emphasizing the importance of strong relationships between organizers and suppliers and adaptability to market changes.
IMEX America 2026 has been announced for October 13–15, 2026, once again at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas.
Continued growth and innovation are expected across all sectors of the global meetings industry — hopefully with an even stronger presence of Croatian exhibitors at such leading international events.
Dubrovnik, as one of the region’s top MICE destinations, remains recognized as an inspiring, authentic, and strategically connected hub for international business events.
