IMEX America 2025: California leads the meetings industry forward

IMEX America 2025 brought together the global meetings and events industry in Las Vegas from October 7 to 9, welcoming more than 17,600 professionals and over 6,100 qualified planners and buyers. California delivered a strong and unified presence, with 21 exhibiting destinations and an additional 11 DMO partners participating to showcase the state’s world-class group offerings and reinforce the Golden State as a premier meetings destination.

The California engagement zone: A show-stopping experience

California anchored the show floor with the California Engagement Zone, a dynamic environment designed to inspire connection, creativity and collaboration. At the center of the space, an immersive California digital bear installation captivated attendees with vivid visuals celebrating the state’s diversity, innovation and natural beauty. Modern lounge seating and nonstop espresso service helped create a welcoming atmosphere, with affogatos emerging as one of the most talked-about treats on the show floor.

Elevating connections and celebrations

Visit California elevated engagement through signature activations that brought the energy and hospitality of the Golden State to life. The California Happy Hour transformed the district into a lively gathering space, serving California wine, bubbles, mocktails and California-inspired bites. Planners, partners and industry leaders connected to the upbeat sounds of San Francisco’s DJ Harry O, creating a celebratory environment that blended relationship-building with authentic California culture.

California’s presence extended beyond the booth, with Visit California serving as the exclusive mobile app sponsor and delivering daily brand visibility to 13,120 unique app logins and 35,693 total app sessions over the show dates. The organization also continued its support of MPI Rendezvous, hosting a VIP California hospitality area that welcomed top partners for elevated networking and industry connection.

A unified Golden State presence

California’s strong and cohesive presence at IMEX America 2025 underscored the state’s leadership in the global meetings landscape. Through innovative design, engaging activations and close collaboration with destination partners, Visit California demonstrated the state’s unmatched hospitality and diverse venue offerings. The collective effort reinforced California’s commitment to helping planners meet what is possible and inspired future group business throughout the Golden State.