ICCA at IMEX America 2026
Connecting, sharing and shaping the future of association meetings
The ICCA team is heading to Las Vegas to connect with members and partners, share knowledge and explore the opportunities shaping the future of international association meetings.
Ahead of the 65th ICCA Congress, taking place in Panama City from November 8-11, ICCA senior leadership will join the global business events community at IMEX America to strengthen connections and explore the ideas, partnerships and opportunities driving the association meetings industry forward.
ICCA will be represented in Las Vegas by:
- Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO
- Natasza Tardio, Head of Governance & Industry Relations
- Shawn Cheng, Regional Director North America
- Kerstin Jones, Association Community Manager
Throughout the show, the team will meet with destinations, venues, event professionals and association leaders, with a focus on sharing knowledge, creating business opportunities and strengthening relationships.
Designing better meetings
ICCA's IMEX America activities begin on Monday, October 12, from 10:45am to 11:45am with a dedicated design workshop.
Part of Smart Monday, Designed for the World: A Design Workshop for International Meetings invites participants to step back from the day-to-day demands of planning and explore how meetings can be intentionally designed around people, purpose and outcomes.
Reflecting ICCA's commitment to practical learning and peer exchange, the workshop gives participants the space to explore ideas and approaches they can apply to their own meetings and events.
Business-focused sessions
From 2:30pm to 4:30pm on Monday, ICCA will host an International Bid Intelligence Workshop in the Sienna C room at the W Hotel.
Participants will hear directly from international associations and experienced industry peers about how destinations are evaluated, which relationships have the greatest impact and where bids most often fall short. Attendees will then bring a live lead into a facilitated working session with fellow ICCA members to explore potential strategies and next steps.
On Wednesday from 9:30am to 10:15am, ICCA Regional Director North America Shawn Cheng will moderate Home Field Advantage: What Destinations Bring to the Table Besides a Venue at the Inspiration Hub.
The session brings together destination representatives from Europe, North America and Australia to examine what destinations can offer beyond a traditional venue proposal.
Jurgen Moors, Frances Wellink and Kirsty Walker will share examples of how destinations can provide networks, connections and access that create a genuine home-field advantage for planners. Participants will gain practical insights into identifying this added value and asking the right questions to uncover the broader benefits a destination can offer.
ICCA Networking Reception
On Wednesday, ICCA will welcome attendees to its Networking Reception at Booth D3070.
The reception offers an opportunity to reconnect with ICCA members and colleagues, meet the ICCA team and make new connections with industry peers from around the world.
The ICCA association community
IMEX America provides an opportunity for association leaders to strengthen their relationship with ICCA, exchange insights with peers and explore how the organization can continue to support successful international meetings. Association professionals attending IMEX America can schedule meetings and connect with Kerstin Jones, Association Community Manager, throughout the show.
Looking ahead to the ICCA Congress in Panama City
ICCA's presence at IMEX America comes at an important moment for the global association meetings community, with the 65th ICCA Congress just weeks away.
Taking place in Panama City from November 8-11, #CrossWorlds will bring together the global business events community for meaningful conversations, knowledge exchange and new connections across sectors, industries and generations.
Designed to encourage fresh perspectives and collaboration, the Congress will create opportunities for participants to build relationships, share ideas and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of association meetings.
