IMEX America education program now live

Planners can mix and match what they attend by choosing from nine education tracks to find the learning journey that’s right for them.

Highlights

Community builders: I matter: Your experience. With less than a quarter of employees believing that their company cares about their well-being, this session by Matthew Emerzian from the Every Monday Matters Foundation will detail how organisations can create human-centred experiences. “Mattering is at the intersection of human and business needs”, he says.

Event logistics: Did you see that coming? Legal concerns in the face of rapid change. Government funding cuts, new restrictions on DEI initiatives and concerns over the impact of tariffs, are just some of the issues meeting professionals now need to navigate. In their session, Tyra Warner, from the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management at the College of Coastal Georgia, and Jill Blood, lead legal counsel at Maritz Global Events, will discuss the legal issues currently affecting the industry and share guidance on how to navigate this challenging environment.

Experiential event design: Design transformative experiences rooted in storytelling. Our brains are hardwired for storytelling. That’s according to Jessica Weickert from creative experts XD Agency, and Mat Duerden, from the Experience Design and Management Department at Brigham Young University. Their session focuses on how to design transformative experiences using storytelling as a powerful tool to shape attitudes, drive behaviour, and create memories.

Impact: Legends of live events: 50 years of innovation, inspiration, and impact. Industry icons Marcy Manley, founder of WPI Event Partners production company, and Jaki Baskow, founder of Baskow Talent agency (named “The Most Influential Woman in Entertainment in Las Vegas”), will share hard-earned insights and bold ideas from their decades in the sector. Their session covers the critical importance of understanding client needs when designing session content and how creative elements can transform events into unforgettable experiences.

Leadership and culture: Coaching in power conversations: Sharpen your communication skills. Event professionals who want to elevate their next presentation and ensure their message resonates should join communication expert Jason Thomson for a 1:1 coaching session. Jason has helped leaders from Cirque du Soleil, C2 Montreal and IBM to communicate more effectively and persuasively.

Marketing and engagement: LinkedIn social selling: Turning connections into contracts. “In today’s competitive events market, simply being on LinkedIn isn’t enough; you need a strategy that makes you visible to the right people, builds trust quickly, and turns conversations into opportunities,” says Richard Bliss. The social media coach will deliver a fast-paced and hands-on session.

Tech innovation and AI: AI sales and marketing playbook. A practical session in which Greg Oates from travel and tourism consultants MMGY NextFactor will show how AI-driven campaigns are shortening sales cycles, along with examples of prompts and automation workflows that are driving results.

Trends and research: Unpacking the latest Freeman Trends Report. Freeman’s Ken Holsinger will debut the organisation’s latest research in his session. He’ll uncover how both attendees and organisers define, value, and measure live event experiences today. Holsinger will reveal what’s working, what’s missing, and where there’s room to innovate, covering everything from immersive design and personalisation to food, tech, and location. IMEX has partnered with Freeman on this latest study.

Well-being: The longevity table: Ingredients & insights for event menus. Join Chef Peter Ghione as he showcases the ingredients used at Canyon Ranch wellness resorts to promote longevity and good health. He’ll explain why they work, how to integrate them into event menus, and strategies for collaborating with venues to design dishes that delight, nourish, and leave guests feeling their best.