From self-care to small-group connections, our sales leaders share what really makes a difference during four packed days in Las Vegas
In just a few weeks, thousands will gather in Las Vegas for IMEX America, one of the meetings industry’s largest conventions. Each year, the team at Teneo Hospitality Group gathers with nearly 20 of our 350+ hotel partners to share ideas, network and discover the latest trends impacting meeting professionals worldwide.
We previously shared Teneo’s Smart Guide to IMEX America, with advice from our sales executives on building the ideal schedule and show flow prep to nailing the post-event follow-up. Now, we’re back with Teneo’s best tips for managing, and making the most of, IMEX America.
Team Teneo at IMEX 2025
START WITH THE BASICS
For Julie Stovroff, Teneo’s VP, Global Sales – Finance and Insurance, attending IMEX America remains an annual highlight, during which she can reconnect with her clients and hotel partners, and meet new friends.
All that starts with “getting plenty of sleep beforehand, wearing comfortable shoes, and continuing to eat healthy (take Zinc!),” she says. “You don’t have to make every night a late night; pace yourself. Start every day with a positive attitude and keep smiling.”
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
With so many in attendance, reuniting with colleagues you haven’t seen in a while is part of the excitement. Director, Global Sales Tracey Lankford agrees “It’s such a wonderful time to see your industry friends in person. Make time for them so another doesn’t go by without connecting.”
Even so, between meet ups, sales appointments and networking events, IMEX can go from exciting to overwhelming. Don’t neglect your own needs. And, yes, that means going so far as to schedule extra “me-time,” says Cindy Meyerer, Teneo Vice President, Global Sales
“Always add an additional 15-30 minutes to your schedule when estimating how long it will take you to get from Point A to Point B. That includes bathroom breaks” she says. “Getting around IMEX always takes longer than you think because of the many impromptu networking stops that happen along the way.”
LISTENING IS JUST AS – IF NOT MORE – IMPORTANT AS TALKING
It’s not just planners at IMEX America who could benefit from some helpful advice. Hotel sales teams meeting with planners and travel organizers should start with questions, not statements.
“Discover what connects you with the client. Instead of starting with room counts and meeting space specs, ask about the programs they’re planning over the next 24 months. Then, sell your experiences, not your inventory,” says Constanza Thornton, Vice President, Global Sales
LEAVE ROOM FOR NEW IDEAS AND INSPIRATION
There’s comfort in the familiar, whether that’s a destination we return to time and again or the trends and ideas we repeat and reinforce. But with so many meetings and events professionals in one place at one time, IMEX America is the ideal place to “reshape the industry with conversations that elevate new ideas, challenge perspectives, and inspire innovation,” says Gary Murakami, Vice President, Global Sales and Industry Relations
Let curiosity be your guide, and don’t be afraid to explore new destinations to add excitement to an upcoming meeting or new bucket list experience. Adds Tracey Lankford, “Meet with people in a destination where you’ve always wanted to host an event. Plant the seed because you never know what’s possible.”
THE “SMALLEST” THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
“Go small,” advises Justin Plank, Teneo’s Vice President, Sales At a show renown for a big show floor, big receptions, and bigger attendance numbers, “the best opportunities are small.”
Director, Global Sales Kathie Giles, CIS, CITP, HMCC always comes prepared to meetings with a portable phone charger, extra layers (for those cold rooms), and a variety of healthy snacks for those times she can’t break for meals. Among her favorites: mixed nuts, protein bars with low added sugar, jerky, lightly seasoned popcorn, fresh or dried fruit, hummus with pretzel crisps, and whole-grain granola bites.
PACE YOURSELF, THEN SHOW UP FULLY
Taken individually, the above tips may not seem like much. Collectively, they can significantly impact your IMEX America experience and beyond. So, get some sleep, take breaks, seek out the new, and find ways to recharge and reconnect on an intimate scale. We’ll see you at the show!
