Every October, 17,000+ event professionals flood Las Vegas for IMEX America — the meetings and events industry’s biggest, boldest, and most chaotic showcase of ideas, innovation, and, let’s be honest… blisters.
In this episode, Megan Martin (Event About It Podcast host and VP of Marketing & Innovation at EMC Meetings & Events) breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly of IMEX — from the inspiring global connections to the behind-the-scenes chaos no one posts about on LinkedIn.
You’ll hear:
💼 The truth about being a hosted vs. non-hosted buyer
☕ Why Smart Monday is your secret weapon (if you actually go)
🥾 The rookie mistakes that ruin your ROI — and your shoes
🔥 A rapid-fire round of “Hosted, Ghosted, or Roasted” — where we lovingly drag the most overhyped parts of IMEX
This isn’t your standard event recap. It’s part therapy session, part survival guide, and part love letter to the industry that keeps showing up — jet-lagged but passionate as ever.
🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How to plan your IMEX schedule like a pro (and avoid burnout)
What to pack, prep, and absolutely skip next year
How to actually turn conversations into conversions
The real emotional ROI of industry events