Being a hosted buyer

If you regularly plan or commission large-scale global events, you can join our hosted buyer program. 
 
Our hosted buyer program is designed for event professionals coming to IMEX with business in mind. You’ll enjoy a VIP experience with free travel and accommodations while you’re at the show. You'll also have access to exclusive networking and education events, and access to our Hosted Buyer Lounge. 

To be accepted on to our hosted buyer program you will need to meet our qualifying criteria, and honor the hosted buyer commitment while you're at the show. You can read more about this below.

As a hosted buyer you (and your hosted buyer group) will be placed on one of the following programs:

Monday to Wednesday program – US buyers only

You will arrive Monday at leisure and depart after the show closes on Wednesday at 5:30pm. If you wish to attend Smart Monday education, you should arrive at the venue by 11.00am.

It is vitally important you fully understand your required attendance days at the show. The show is over three days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You’re required to attend two full days - Tuesday and Wednesday. If you would like to attend the full three days or less, you must let us know so we can amend your accommodations.

For buyers traveling from the US East coast or Canada and want to avoid the red eye, IMEX will host Wednesday night (for full details check the “Program and attendance dates” in the terms and conditions).
       
Tuesday to Thursday program – US buyers only

You will arrive Tuesday by approximately 10:00am and depart after the show closes on Thursday after 4:30pm.

IMEX will host the Monday night for buyers wishing to attend Smart Monday education (for full details check the “Program and attendance dates” in the terms and conditions).

It is vitally important you fully understand your required attendance days at the show. The show is over three days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You are required to attend all three days. If you would like to attend for less, you must let us know so we can amend your accommodations.

For buyers traveling from the US East coast or Canada and want to avoid the red eye, IMEX will host Wednesday night (for full details check the “Program and attendance dates” in the terms and conditions).

Monday to Thursday - international buyers

You will arrive Monday at leisure and depart after the show closes on Thursday at 4:30pm*.

It is vitally important you fully understand your required attendance days at the show. The show is over three days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You are required to attend for all three days.

*If you cannot find a suitable flight that departs after the show closes on Thursday, please contact us and we can look at hosting you on Thursday night.

Monday to Friday program - international buyers

You will arrive Monday at your leisure and depart Friday morning**. 

It is vitally important you fully understand your required attendance days at the show. The show is over three days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You are required to attend for all three days.

**Thursday night is hosted on the understanding that you return directly to your home during the day on Friday. We offer this  We offer this as there are no flights leaving to your country after the show on Thursday.

Additional information

Check the program and attendance dates section of the hosted buyer terms and conditions for more information.

• We run the most flexible hosted buyer program in the world - and as an IMEX hosted buyer you have the flexibility to meet who you wish to. But when you accept an invitation to be an IMEX hosted buyer, you're making a commitment to make genuine business appointments with our exhibitors. We recommend at least six to eight appointments per day.
   
• Attendance is free. There are no cancelation fees or  fines. Any cancelations should be made at least 72 hours before the show in your IMEX account or by email. 
   
• When you submit your travel reimbursement claim, we will check that you have attended IMEX for your full program days before we issue your reimbursement. We also check that you have made and attended appointments before we accept you as a hosted buyer at future IMEX shows.
   
• A colleague can attend in your place, however they still need to complete the hosted buyer registration form so we can qualify them and obtain their contact details and travel preferences. 
   
• Once you've accepted an invitation to join a hosted buyer group, you cannot switch to another hosted buyer group.
   
• We can only accept one hosted buyer registration per person. If you register more than once, we will only process your first registration.
   
• Your email address is shared with the exhibitors you make appointments with. They should only contact you through our online appointment system and are limited in the number of messages they can send you.
   
• Please refer to our terms and conditions of attendance for more information.

There are two ways to become a hosted buyer: 

1. Through an invitation email from an intermediary (an intermediary is an exhibitor who invites their clients to IMEX)  

2. Register with us direct.
 
If you’ve received an invitation email from an intermediary, use the link they've sent you to create your IMEX account and the hosted buyer invitation code to register to join their hosted buyer group. We’ll check your registration and let you know if you’ve been approved as a hosted buyer. This may take up to 10 working days. If you don’t meet our qualifying criteria, we’ll invite you register as a buyer attendee instead.

All hosted buyers must:

• Have the potential for researching, organizing, influencing, or making budgetary decisions for international events (placed outside of their home country) 
• Have three confirmed or planned events due to take place in the next three years 

For US hosted buyers:

• Two of these three events must be outside the US, one event may be within the US 

For non-US hosted buyers: 

• All three events must be outside their home country and one of these events must be within the US 
• Be coming to the show with purchasing power 
• Be at the show for the duration of their hosted buyer program (we will check this before issuing any travel reimbursements)
• Book appointments with exhibitors (we recommend at least six to eight appointments per day and we will check this when qualifying hosted buyers for future IMEX shows) 

Note: We make the final decision on qualifying all hosted buyers. We reserve the right to cancel a hosted buyer registration if it becomes clear that the hosted buyer is unable to fulfil their commitment to us.

To be accepted on to the program, you must have the potential to research, organize, influence, or make budgetary decisions for international events (outside your home country). You also must have three confirmed or planned events taking place in the next three years.

We’ll check the information you provide with the venues you mention. Incorrect information may delay or invalidate your application. We make the final decision.