IMEX America 2026: CEO Carina Bauer on Growth, AI & the Future of Business Events

What’s driving the future of business events? At IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, TSNN’s VP of Content, Danica Tormohlen, sits down with Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, to discuss the show’s 15th anniversary, attendee and exhibitor growth, the role of AI in events, and why human connection remains at the heart of the meetings industry. In this TSNN News Desk interview, Bauer shares early numbers from IMEX America 2026, explains how IMEX measures success beyond attendance, and reveals how the show is using human-centered design, technology, and sustainability to improve the attendee and exhibitor experience. In this interview, discover: IMEX America 2026 by the numbers: A show floor 5% larger than last year, approximately 3,870 exhibiting companies, and an expected 4,800 hosted buyers. Measuring event success: Why hosted buyer numbers, exhibitor ratios, and business meetings matter more than total attendance alone. AI and face-to-face events: How event organizers can use AI and technology to improve efficiency without sacrificing human relationships. Human-centered event design: From wellness experiences and meditation spaces to redesigned lounges and enhanced attendee amenities. Exhibitor ROI and data: How IMEX is providing exhibitors with insights into leads, meetings, buyer demographics, and performance benchmarks. Sustainability in action: The show's trial of carpet designed to be 100% recyclable back into carpet. What's next for IMEX: How the team evaluates results, gathers feedback, and plans for future editions. As the global meetings and events industry continues to evolve, Bauer explains why technology should serve the purpose of an event, not define it, and how thoughtful design can create more meaningful connections and measurable business outcomes. IMEX America comes early in 2027 and 2028. IMEX America returns Sept. 28-30, 2027, to Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas for its 16th edition. In 2028, the show will be held Sept. 26-28. 📍 Recorded at IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas 🎤 Host: Danica Tormohlen, VP of Content, Trade Show News Network (TSNN) 🎤 Guest: Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group Subscribe to TSNN for more interviews, industry news, and insights from the people shaping the trade show, meetings, and business events industries.