Las Vegas Uber drivers were busy again dodging F1 lane closures on The Strip as G2E Global Gaming Expo pinged its way to The Venetian and IMEX America returned to Mandalay Bay Convention Center with the ultimate educational pre-game, Smart Monday by Meeting Professionals International. The Smart Meetings team was in town, speaking on panels, hugging our way across the aisles of North Convention Center and sent these notes from the expo floor.
Incentive Insights: One of the first news releases came in the form of a shared session with moderated by IRF’s Stephanie Harris and SITE’s Pádraic Gilligan with expert commentary by Maggie Worthington (Hilton), Jennifer Attersall (Destination Canada), and Justin Myers (Bishop-McCann) to announce the 2024 Incentive Travel Index (ITI) projecting growth for the incentive travel industry through 2026.
Incentive travel buyers expect activity and per person spending above 2024 levels over the next two years. However, they also report concerns around rising costs, attracting talent to the industry and safety considerations.
This annual study reports on destination preferences, program inclusions, budgeting, and perceptions of the strategic importance of incentive travel. This year’s report also provides a pulse-check on hot topics such as technology, artificial intelligence, climate issues and sustainability.
Read More: IMEX America Focuses on Impact
“The strategic importance of incentive travel is being bolstered by key workplace trends,” said Stephanie Harris, IRF President. “Retaining talented employees and competitive advantages in hiring are cited as increasing in importance, as well as more recent trends such as new generations of qualifiers and leaders and a more dispersed workforce.”
“Incentive travel buyers are increasingly looking for something new, with over 70% of respondents indicating they are seeking destinations they haven’t used before,” said SITE CEO Annette Gregg. “Resorts—both all-inclusive and others—have increased in popularity, and destinations within shorter distances from participant origin are also expected to see increased use.”
EIC 75th Anniversary Awards Pacesetters and Legends: The landmark Events Industry Council awards dinner at Aria Resort & Casino recognized five Hall of Leaders inductees, joining 150 extraordinary individuals who have had lasting impact. This year’s achievers were Cathy Breden, CMP Fellow, CAE, CEM, former executive vice president and chief operating officer with IAEE; Greg O’Dell, president of venue management with Oak View Group; Robin Lockerman, CMM, FASAE, group president with MCI Group; William Reed, FASAE, CMP, chief event strategy officer with American Society of Hematology and Julius Solaris, founder of Boldpush.
Three Pacesetter Award nominees were Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM, director of client services and events with Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau; Sina Bunte, CMP, DES, founder of DigitalMind.events; and Shameka Jennings, MTA, CMP, DES, CAE, principal and chief events officer with EventNoire.
Two Social Impact Awards go to Diane Hawkins SPHR, SHRM-SCP, executive vice president and volunteer engagement with MPI and Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP Fellow, CMM, DES, vice president of global sales and industry relations with TENEO Hospitality Group.
EIC is in the midst of a Futures Landscape Study to determine the emerging and evolving issues that will shape the global business events industry. Learn more at EventsCouncil.org/futures.
Disney Introduces Experience Resources: Disney Meetings & Events unveiled new products and resources designed to create engaging and impactful moments for meeting professionals and their attendees. New team-building experiences and an array of new program openers available at
Disney destinations around the globe. A new creative studio for meeting professionals is also set to debut at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in early 2025. It will offer an inspired setting where planners can collaborate with Disney Meetings & Events experts and discover products and services to help deliver on the experience objective.
Combining Disney stories with purposeful, play-based learning, Disney Meetings & Events is unveiling new signature team-building and networking sessions designed to increase audience engagement and retention and to deliver a positive return on the meeting experience. Sessions include a competitive team-building event based on the stories and adventures of Star Wars, a networking event inspired by Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean,” a creative teambuilding activity inspired by Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “Monsters, Inc.”
Notes from a Wellness Consultant: David Stevens, co-founder of event-wellness consulting firm Olympian Meeting scanned the area for healthy initiatives and found the following.
Experiencing “Smart Monday” at IMEX is truly a reflection of how events can be designed with well-being at the forefront, offering both interactive and restorative opportunities for attendees. Smart Monday’s wellness initiatives were thoughtfully integrated throughout the event, providing not only moments of relaxation and reflection but also tangible tools for better personal and professional well-being.
One of the highlights of the day was the ongoing wellness sessions at Tradewinds AB, where participants could drop in and out of sessions focusing on different facets of well-being. These sessions ranged from calming meditation exercises to practical tools for the frequent traveler, helping attendees recharge amidst the bustling environment. For event participants looking for personalized guidance, one-on-one coaching sessions were available, offering a rare opportunity to engage in direct dialogue about personal or professional growth. These sessions catered to individual needs, ensuring that attendees walked away with actionable insights tailored to their lives.
In the main concourse, the Crow Practice hosted a series of demonstrations, focusing on healthy living tips that could easily be incorporated into daily routines. Attendees were even invited to engage in hands-on tea-blending activities, emphasizing the importance of small, mindful practices that can enhance day-to-day well-being. Adding a bit of creativity and connection into the mix, there was also an activity to make friendship bracelets—a fun, symbolic way of fostering connections with fellow participants. Small moments like these reminded everyone that wellness also extends to relationships and community, encouraging personal interaction in a meaningful, low-pressure way.
Read More: Supporting Employee Mental Health in the Workplace
One of the more unique experiences was the opportunity to pet a puppy. This simple yet heartwarming activity resonated with many attendees, offering a brief but powerful respite from the intensity of event participation. The proven benefits of interacting with animals, including reducing stress and anxiety, made this not just a fun diversion but an essential part of the wellness experience at Smart Monday.
Later in the day, for those wanting to combine movement with fresh air and exploration, Go! Running Tours offered a Las Vegas walking tour starting at 4:30 PM. This tour, which began outside the iconic Mandalay Bay Shark Reef, was the perfect opportunity to soak in some sunshine while stretching out both mind and body. A gentle walk through the surrounding areas provided a much-needed breath of fresh air, helping to offset the long hours typically spent indoors during such events. The tour served as a reminder that movement is a crucial part of well-being, and combining that with the local scenery of Las Vegas added a unique layer of enjoyment.
Overall, Smart Monday at IMEX delivered a well-rounded and thoughtful approach to well-being. From quiet mindfulness sessions to hands-on activities and chances for physical movement, the event offered various wellness touchpoints for every participant. It was a clear reminder that wellness is no longer a “nice-to-have” in events but an integral component of creating memorable, impactful experiences.
Check out day one of IMEX 2024 here!
