Hosted buyer program

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Join the IMEX hosted buyer program

Be our guest at IMEX America. You'll enjoy a VIP experience at IMEX, as well as exclusive social opportunities, and free travel and accommodations. Our hosted buyer program is now full for 2023 - you can register to attend as an attendee and take care of your own travel arrangements.

Who can be a hosted buyer?

If you regularly plan or commission large-scale global events, you can join our hosted buyer program.

Our hosted buyer program is designed for event professionals coming to IMEX with business in mind. You'll experience the best of the show while making the business connections that matter.

If you'd like a VIP experience with free travel and free accommodations while you're at the show, and can commit to booking meetings with our exhibitors, then apply today!

See the hosted buyer qualifying criteria.

What you'll receive as a hosted buyer

Free travel and accommodations

As a hosted buyer, you'll enjoy:

Free flights
Free accommodations
The knowledge that we're taking care of the details
Attendance is free too of course—and there are no cancelation fees or fines

Flexible meeting scheduling

IMEX offers the most flexible hosted buyer program in the world. You're in control of your meetings. Meet with:

Exhibitors from hotel groups, event tech providers, convention bureaus
Airlines and travel providers
Event management agencies

Free professional development

From education tailored to your specialism at:

Association Leadership Forum, Executive Meeting Forum and Corporate Focus
To expert insight at drop-in education throughout the show

Exclusive lounge access

Exclusively for hosted buyers, our Hosted Buyer Lounge is designed to help you:

Recharge, relax and refresh
Catch up with calls and with fellow hosted buyers and to meet our friendly Hosted Buyer Team—there to answer any questions you have

What we ask in return

As a hosted buyer you have flexibility, but you must commit to pre-scheduling meetings with our exhibitors. We recommend a minimum of 6-8 daily. These should be mainly 1-2-1 meetings but can include group appointments and stand presentations. We also ask that you don’t leave the show early, i.e., after lunch, but to stay for each full day of your hosted program.

About meetings

We regularly check that buyers are making and attending their meetings (on average IMEX buyers plan 16+ meetings during their time at the show.)

see terms and commitments

3,379

hosted buyers in 2022

62,000

meetings in 2022

3,331

exhibiting countries in 2022

3,379

hosted buyers in 2022

62,000

meetings in 2022

3,331

exhibiting countries in 2022

How can I be a hosted buyer?

Applying to be a hosted buyer

Around 300 of our exhibitors invite their key clients to come to IMEX as hosted buyers (we call these exhibitors intermediaries). So, if you receive an invitation from one of them, and you’d like to be a hosted buyer:

Follow the link they've sent you
Create your IMEX account
Use the unique invitation code to join their hosted buyer group

If you prefer you can also register with us direct.

Hosted buyer meetings

All buyers commit to booking at least six to eight 30-minute meetings per day direct with exhibitors using our Exhibitor Directory and online meeting system.

Coming to IMEX from a corporate organisation?

If you need to convince your manager why you should attend IMEX, our convince your boss toolkit helps build the case:

Convince your boss email
IMEX America expenses
Benefits of attending IMEX America
Letter to compliance department

Any questions? Check our hosted buyer guides and help pages or contact us:

Call: +44 (0)1273 224957
Email: hosted@imexevents.com

Sarah Lloyd

Director of Hosted Buyer Programmes

Maria Gaillez

Relationship Manager