Join the IMEX hosted buyer program

Be our guest at IMEX America. You'll enjoy a VIP experience at IMEX, as well as exclusive social engagements, and free travel and accommodations.

Select the play button on the video to hear directly from our hosted buyers about IMEX America.

Hosted buyer inquiry

Who can be a hosted buyer?

If you regularly plan or commission large-scale global events, you can apply to join our hosted buyer program.

Our uniquely flexible hosted buyer program is designed for event professionals coming to IMEX with business in mind. You'll experience the best of the show while making the business connections that matter.

If you'd like a VIP experience with free travel and free accommodations while you're at the show, and can commit to booking meetings with our exhibitors, our hosted buyer program is for you.

Colleagues exchanging ideas in the hosted buyer lounge

What you'll receive as a hosted buyer

Plane flying above the clouds with the sun setting in the background

Free travel and accommodations

As a hosted buyer, you'll enjoy:

Free flights and accommodations
The knowledge that we're taking care of the details
Attendance is free too of course—and there are no cancelation fees or fines

Attendees networking on the IMEX tradeshow floor while viewing their laptops

Flexible meeting scheduling

We run the most flexible hosted buyer program in the world. And you have flexibility over who you meet with.

Person with raised hands walking through crowd during an IMEX education session

Free professional development

From education tailored to your specialism at

Association Leadership Forum, Executive Meeting Forum and Corporate Focus and expert insight at drop-in education throughout the show.

Hosted buyer smiling at camera in the IMEX Hosted Buyer Lounge

Exclusive lounge access

Exclusively for hosted buyers, our Hosted Buyer Lounge is designed to help you:

Recharge, relax and refresh
Catch up with calls, with fellow hosted buyers and with our friendly Hosted Buyer Team—there to answer any questions you might have

What we ask in return

As a hosted buyer you commit to booking six to eight 30-minute meetings per day with our exhibitors, through our show platform
These should be mainly one-to-one meetings but can include group appointments and booth presentations
We also ask that you don’t leave the show early but stay for each full day of your hosted buyer program
We regularly check that hosted buyers are booking and attending meetings (on average hosted buyers book 16-plus meetings per show)

Activate the play button on the video to explore your hosted buyer commitments.

Learn more about meetings

IMEX America 2025 show stats

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Total participants

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Meetings booked

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Total buyers

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Press attendees from 12 countries

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Exhibiting companies representing 80+ countries

Download 2025 stats

Hosted buyer lounge

Exclusively for hosted buyers, our Hosted Buyer Lounge is designed to help you:

Recharge, relax and refresh
Catch up with calls, with fellow hosted buyers and our friendly Hosted Buyer Team—there to answer any questions you have

Location: Hall B (open to hosted buyers only)
Monday - closed Tuesday and Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm, Thursday 8am - 4:30pm

Free services: coffee and refreshments, snacks, Wi-Fi, charging stations and spaces to work

Other services: Marketplace serving sandwiches, salads and desserts

How can I be a hosted buyer?

Applying to be a hosted buyer

Around 300 of our exhibitors invite their key clients to come to IMEX as hosted buyers (we call these exhibitors "intermediaries"). So, if you receive an invitation from one of them, and you’d like to be a hosted buyer:

Follow the link they've sent you
Create your IMEX account
Use the unique invitation code to join their hosted buyer group

If you prefer you can also register with us direct.

Hosted buyer qualifying criteria

All hosted buyers must:

Be responsible for researching, organizing, influencing or making budgetary decisions for international events (outside their home country)

Have three confirmed or planned events taking place in the next three years
Be coming to the show with buying power
Be at the show for the duration of their hosted buyer program
Book meetings with exhibitors using our online meetings system

Coming to IMEX from a corporate organization?

And need help getting approval?
Join us at IMEX as part of a hosted buyer group to elevate your corporate event planning.

Worried about compliance? Cover your own travel and hotel expenses while still enjoying all the other benefits of being a hosted buyer.

Select the link below to access the letter to show your compliance department.

Download the compliance letter and supporting material - check back in 2026.

Ready to take the next step?

Join us at IMEX America 2026.

Hosted buyer inquiry