Radical simplicity is the aim of the new, streamlined education program launching at IMEX America next month.

“In creating our education program for IMEX America this year, we’ve aimed for radical simplicity,” says Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group. “We know meeting and event industry professionals are overrun, overwhelmed and seeking clarity so this year’s learning sessions deliver bold content designed to cut to the heart of the biggest issues in business and personal growth. This is a chance for any and all participants to soak up some really on-point, high-quality knowledge. The only price they have to pay is to show up, take it all in and then put what they’ve learned into practice.”

Bauer explains that IMEX America, taking place October 10-13 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, will also offer some tailor-made education for specialist audiences on the show floor. “This means corporate and association planners will learn side by side with their partners, clients and suppliers benefiting, if they wish, from added convenience and efficiency.”

Radical simplicity in practice

Under an educational theme of Pathways to Clarity, IMEX America’s education program will be delivered in four simple tracks, reduced from 10. The tracks are Respect for People and Planet, Future Self, Innovation and Creativity, and Event Planner Toolkit.

More than 100 sessions are available, with the majority taking place on the show floor’s dedicated, three-theatre Inspiration Hub, sponsored by Visit Detroit.  Sessions include:

• Our red flag employee by David Jaime, chief executive of LE Professionals, will take attendees through the behavioral “red flags” that create unhealthy work environments. He will also share best practice strategies for increasing collective accountability.
• Empowerment coach Jennifer Cassetta will take a martial arts-led approach to helping people feel safe and strong in the workplace with The Art of badassery: Unleash your mojo with the wisdom of the Dojo.
• Fickle eaters deals with the fundamentals of food and beverage planning in a time marked by compromised supply chains. Tracy Stuckrath, founder and president at thrive meetings & events, and Thomas Whelan, assistant general manager at Levy Convention Centers, will share tried and tested tricks on how to incorporate dietary needs into menus without affecting the bottom line.
• The benefits of hybrid will be demonstrated in Hybrid is still a thing, so let’s get it right. Brandt Krueger, owner of Event Technology Consulting, believes that when done properly, hybrid events can deliver expanded reach and improved inclusivity–all without losing the power of a hands-on experience.
• “The metaverse is cool, but I don’t know where to start” – Scooter Taylor, founder of West Peek Group, has heard this from his clients dozens of times. In Enter the metaverse: a how-to guide, he will lay out all the steps to planning a metaverse event, share resources and give attendees a first-hand glimpse into the metaverse.
• In Sustainability and the circular economy: What the future holds, Aurora Dawn Benton, chief change agent at Astrapto along with Benoit Sauvage, CEO of Hospitality Sustainability Revolution will acknowledge that incorporating the circular economy is key to a full events industry recovery. They will detail how integrating best practices in events delivers a host of benefits from an enhanced brand, increased clientele, reduced costs and exceptional experiences.

The show’s education also includes a series of keynotes powered by its strategic partner, MPI, as well as bespoke events for corporate and association planners including sessions and industry certification top-ups delivered by IMEX partners such as IAEE and EIC. All eligible sessions throughout the show carry CMP certification.