Apply to be a speaker at IMEX

A note for 2023: speaker submissions are full for IMEX America 2023, but we welcome submissions for future shows and we will be in touch.

Apply to speak at our unique professional education and development program.

Offering fresh ideas and inspiration to business events professionals of all levels of experience (including exhibiting staff) over four fabulous days in Las Vegas.

We review all applications on the merits of the content alone, making our final selection on content quality and relevance to our program.

Application details

Before you apply - what you need to know

We're looking for speakers who understand and can positively impact all areas of the business events community. We're focused on hearing from diverse voices and welcome speakers from underrepresented groups bringing a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

Content

We're seeking content that is forward-thinking, fresh and relevant for those working across the meetings industry, with actionable take-aways. It doesn't matter if you've presented your proposed session before, although we do favor fresh ideas, interesting angles and new perspectives.

No sales pitches

It’s important for you, and for us, to avoid sales pitches masked as education. We also collect audience feedback from education sessions to monitor quality and appropriateness of content.

Co-presenting

You don't have to present on your own. Co-presenters are always welcome. In the event we receive proposals on similar topics, we may contact you about co-presenting, or joining a panel session.

Please consider this a gift, as we connect like-minded professionals together in this learning environment.

Fees

We don’t compensate speakers for travel or accommodation expenses or pay appearance fees. We view speaking opportunities at IMEX as mutually beneficial, an opportunity to present yourself and your ideas to an influential and engaged audience together with a chance to leverage PR opportunities.

Education tracks at IMEX

We'll give preference to session proposals that fit into one of the following tracks:

1. Technology and innovation

Technology should be beautiful or invisible, and if you’re talking about it at IMEX, then it should be enhancing the way event professionals work; rethinking how participants engage or interact; and how experiences are engineered and experienced.

2. Trends and research

The world is changing rapidly and the leading-edge data presented at every IMEX show remains a critical part of our learning calendar. If you have informative research or are setting - or spotting - new trends then submit in this category.

3. People and planet

We are one human race with one planet we all call home. Sessions in this category are at the intersection of this year’s Talking Point, human nature. Here we welcome stories, approaches and tools that can help the whole of humanity move toward happier co-existence, balance and growth (both personal and organizational). We’re looking for sessions based on behavioral science, personal journeys, psychology, research data and more.

The following topics fit into this track: equity, diversity and inclusion; professional and personal development; leadership; culture and engagement; well-being; sustainability.

4. Business practices

Aside from Event Planner Toolkit sessions designed to provide the basics of event planning in 2023, we’re also seeking tools and direction for experienced business leaders managing in a new world of events and connections.

5. Experience design

We’ve been living in the experience economy for some time, yet experience design has never been more important nor more in demand. If you’re designing or re-designing experiences and leading with (neuro)science and smart design thinking, this is your category.

6. Event marketing

Brands are increasingly driving experiential innovation, understanding that 21st century consumers are not only defined by the brands they choose to engage with, but are also seeking brands that help them express their identity. Show up and show off what’s working and inspire others.

TALKING POINT: HUMAN NATURE

Our annual talking point allows you to explore a single emerging or important trend. For 2023 our Talking Point is Human Nature – an understanding and celebration of all that’s good about being human.

Explore our 2023 Talking Point

Our 2023 speaker program is now full but you can inquire about speaking at a future IMEX show below.

Your IMEX contacts are the Knowledge and Events Team.

Call: +44 1273 227311
Email: knowledge@imexevents.com

Tahira Endean

Head of Programming

Sylvia Taylor

Knowledge and Events Associate Director