On Aug. 21-22, IBTM Americas will bring meeting professionals together for two days of inspiration at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City. MPI will play a key role in education and the hosted buyer program (bringing 35 buyers this year) at IBTM Americas thanks to the efforts of the MPI Bajio Mexicano, MPI Caribe Mexicano and MPI Mexico chapters.

For the second time, MPI will have a dedicated education stage (the Inspiration Stage) that will include keynote sessions on Aug. 22 about how to apply the Pike Place Fish Market philosophy (the model that inspired Starbucks); the domino effect and its profound meaning in our lives; artificial reality, virtual reality and the metaverse; and how to discover your true power and remembering that you are invincible.

Eleonora Garcia, IBTM Americas show director for RX Global, spoke with us about what’s new for 2024, the importance of industry partners and why IBTM Americas is a can’t-miss event for meeting professionals in the region.

How are you expecting this year’s event to be different from IBTM Americas 2023? 

We will have an application that will make it easier for both exhibitors and buyers to set and track their appointments, in addition to providing real-time information on everything that happens at the event. We will have four simultaneous educational scenarios that will address attractive topics such as artificial intelligence and team motivation. Some of our lectures will be interactive. Finally, we are incorporating “experiences” on the floor for buyers to enjoy moments that can serve as inspiration for their own events.

This year we have also established a partnership to implement a program that encourages our exhibitors to adopt sustainable, inclusive and socially responsible practices on the show floor. This is just the beginning of our commitment, as we have also set out to measure and reduce the amount of waste we generate, outlining effective strategies to address this challenge. In addition, we will use a calculator to measure our carbon footprint.

This year, we have introduced IBTM Community Hour, a dedicated moment where buyers and exhibitors will gather on the show floor to connect, strengthen alliances, meet new colleagues and expand their horizons in a playful way. During this dynamic experience, exhibitors will offer tastings, interactive activities and more, creating an environment conducive to networking and collaboration.

What did you learn from last year’s event that helped you make sure this event would be even better for attendees? 

From the 2023 exit surveys, we have obtained revealing data about our exhibitors and hosted buyers, which has allowed us to identify key areas of opportunity. In this edition, our goal is to optimize the hosted buyer experience, ensuring that they have time in their schedules to attend conferences and participate in networking sessions with colleagues and exhibitors. In addition, we are bringing service proposals requested by our visitors and focusing on current topics to enrich our educational content. We are committed to offering a more valuable and innovative experience than ever before!

Can you tell us about a topic or highlight from the conference program attendees should be excited about? 

This year we will offer a robust educational program with conferences for different segments of the industry such as romance, sports and corporate—with workshops taught by internationally renowned experts, allowing attendees to stay on the cutting edge of industry trends and best practices. During these sessions, one of the predominant themes will be artificial intelligence in the development of events.

I know partnerships, such as with MPI, are key to the success of IBTM Americas. Can you tell us what role partnerships play? 

Partnerships such as the one we have with MPI are crucial to the success of IBTM Americas. These collaborations allow us to join forces with key industry organizations, bringing expertise, resources and a network of contacts that enrich our event. Through these partnerships, we are able to deliver high-quality content, attract key industry players and create unique opportunities for our attendees. In short, the partnership with MPI is fundamental to co-create innovative and valuable experiences for all participants. MPI, in particular, is a great partner of IBTM Americas, and this year will be no exception. Within the framework of the event, they will conduct an educational program in which both members and non-members of MPI will be able to participate in working sessions and training.

Why is IBTM Americas a can’t-miss event for meeting professionals in the region?

Each year we incorporate a greater mix of exhibitors and buyers from Canada to Argentina, making IBTM Americas the most important event for Latin America, bringing together education, networking and business for the meetings industry. The networking environment is designed to facilitate meaningful and lasting connections, creating opportunities to establish strategic alliances and expand professional networks. Finally, our focus on innovation and sustainability ensures that participants not only gain immediate value, but also contribute to a more sustainable future for the meetings industry. IBTM Americas is a must-attend event for meeting professionals in the region because it offers a comprehensive platform that allows attendees to inspire, connect and discover.