That is how hosted buyer Linda Lawson, from Achieve Incentives & Meetings in Ohio, summed up two compelling business benefits powering the latest edition of IMEX America, currently taking place in Las Vegas.
The show’s comprehensive program of education (200 + sessions) is also a huge draw as hosted buyer Frank Gainer, from the American Occupational Therapy Assocation, explains: “Education is my passion and I manage the learning opportunities at my events. We’re currently reimagining how we run education at our events, which range from small events to larger annual conferences, and I’ve been inspired by the format of the show’s Inspiration Hub.”
From ‘flawsome’ to flexibility
The learning at the show was kickstarted by a dynamic keynote who encouraged the audience to be ‘flawsome’. In Digital leadership: The five habits to success and happiness in an ever-changing world bestselling author and motivational speaker Erik Qualman talked about how flexibility has become one of ‘the new superpowers’, particularly in the past couple of years: “Be firm in your destination, but flexible in your path”, he advised. The digital guru also talked about how to tackle ‘data, distraction and disruption’ to plan a digital strategy for an event that delivers true engagement: “Start with a smile. Think about what will produce a smile for your client and work your way back from there.”
Driving event engagement by ditching demographics was discussed in Let’s end demographic discrimination, a session by David Allison, founder of Valuegraphics, the first global dataset created specifically to help organizations predict and influence behaviour using the values we share. “Demographics describe what people are, but not how to engage them,” he says. In all areas of the world, the top values people care most about are Family, Belonging, Relationships, Friendships and Community – David shared how to tap into these vital values to communicate key messages.
Held at the Inspiration Hub, home to the show floor education, Human nature – three perspectives saw experts from Dear World, Human Biography and TLC Lions lead a group discussion on exploring human nature and the powerful impact of storytelling to excite and engage. “Storytelling doesn’t make us less professional, it makes us more human. If we can invoke empathy as a critical skill, the more we can create an inclusive place to work,” Gian Power from TLC Lions explains.
The Relaxation Reef provided a peaceful space away from the show floor to relax and recharge in between meetings and education sessions. Holly Duckworth from Leadership Solutions International is leading a program of mindfulness and meditation sessions.
#IMEXrun 2021
The energy of Las Vegas shone through the participants of the #IMEXrun which took place on Wednesday. It was a global gathering of IMEX America attendees with over 250 energetic people from 27 countries who ran, jogged or walked along the iconic Strip.
The 5k #IMEXrun, created and organized by Voqin and sponsored by simpleview, is an early morning opportunity to ‘sweatwork’ as part of IMEX America, currently taking place at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas until November 11.
Fun fact: IMEX America attendees who were unable to join the run can still enjoy a dose of wellbeing. Walking just once around the IMEX America show floor is officially a 1k lap.
Find out more about what’s on at IMEX America here.
