The IMEX Group has officially announced that it will be requiring full proof of vaccination for participants attending IMEX America, the meetings and events industry’s largest trade show, in November at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.
“We’ve consulted widely about this decision and have been watching the events landscape in North America very closely these past weeks. The requirement for participants to prove their full vaccination status is fast becoming the unofficial ‘gold standard’ for large events in the US,” said IMEX Group CEO, Carina Bauer, in a statement. “Now that we’ve published our plans, we hope that everyone has enough time and space to make their own arrangements to attend the show.”
IMEX America marks IMEX’s return to in-person events following three total cancellations — including IMEX America 2020 and IMEX Frankfurt 2020 and 2021. The event will be using the CLEAR Health Pass app for North American participants, who will be able to upload their proof of vaccination with a WHO-approved vaccine prior to the event. International attendees will use a separate portal to submit their vaccine status.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 58% of Americans now favor vaccine mandates for events with large crowds, and IMEX America joins other large events in the US that have already announced vaccine requirements, including Global Gaming Expo (G2E), NAB Show, and CES.
IMEX will be hosting another IMEX BuzzDay on September 15th, the last installment in its virtual BuzzHub community series that launched back in May, which will include several sessions on what to expect when the show returns in-person.
This is a great example of how to leverage online event communities leading up to a larger, in-person gathering. Virtual participants will be able to join various “Ask me anything” sessions with IMEX team members about things like what sessions and events not to miss, event design and Covid safety, and practical tips for hosted buyers who are new to the show.