Demand for space at IMEX America 2012 continues to grow following a successful launch show in October 2011. Ray Bloom, chairman of the IMEX Group, has announced that he expects the trade show to fill both Halls C and D of the Sands Expo in Las Vegas this year--two years ahead of schedule.

Organizations that have already booked larger booths for 2012 include Boston, Chicago, Memphis, NYC & Co, Palm Springs and Visit Denver from the USA; plus Argentina, Croatia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Tourism Ireland and Scandinavia from other parts of the world.

As at its sister show in Frankfurt, IMEX America saw a particularly strong representation from the major hotel groups. Demand from a variety of new exhibitors is also strong. New exhibitors already confirmed for 2012 range from Abu Dhabi to Hawaii and Long Beach to Dave & Busters.

Hosted buyer program set to expand in 2012

In line with the increase in the number of exhibitors attending in 2012, IMEX America will also be significantly expanding the size of its hosted buyer program--already the largest in the U.S. Last year 2,000 hosted buyers attended the show--80% from North America with the balance originating from 34 world markets.

Industry enthusiasm for the 2012 show is a direct reflection of positive feedback received immediately following IMEX America’s debut, with exhibitors achieving strong levels of interest and follow-up business as a result of taking a booth.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised to see such a high demand for booth space with eight months still to go before the next show," Bloom said. "Of those exhibitors who have contracted since the start of the year, just over a third have doubled the size of their booth. It’s a very positive start to the year and augurs well for the months ahead.”

The second edition of IMEX America will take place Oct. 9-11, 2012, at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas.