SITE YL Conference

The SoolNua Team was with the SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) community at the SITE YL Conference right before IMEX America 2018 kicked off in Las Vegas. Pádraic Gilligan moderated a session that gave attendees a sneak preview of the Incentive Travel Industry Index results with SITE IBOD, Rhea Stagner and SITE Foundation President, John Iannini. 

SITE Digital Champions

During IMEX 2018, SITE launched their Digital Champions programme, bringing together 25 people from around the globae to share and develop content together on the topic of incentive travel. Aoife and Pádraic are both members of the programme – see their first meet up with fellow members at #SITENITE in the Brooklyn Bowl and on the IMEX show floor in the photos below.

CITP Graduation

SITE released a new industry certification for incentive travel professionals at the beginning of 2018. Patrick and Pádraic were among the first 20 people to take the exam and during #SITENITE they received their CITP certificates.

The DMC Network Brand Launch

SoolNua helped the DMC Network launch their new brand and announce their new global partnerships. They have expanded their network to Costa Rica, Italy, Ireland, Monaco, Spain and Portugal – congratulations to everyone on the team!

#SITENITE

The SoolNua Team spent the Monday before IMEX 2018 with industry friends (and 1700 others!) at #SITENITE in the Brooklyn Bowl – a fundraising event for the SITE Foundation to carry out research and deliver education and grant opportunities to incentive professionals.

Lip Sync Battle/ DMCN Talent Search

The SoolNua Team attended the annual DMC Network Talent Search Lip Sync Battle night. From Sonny & Cher covers to Nsync one-hit wonders, there was something for everyone on the night to sing along to!

IMEX FUN RUN

The whole team took part in the IMEX run – a 5km fun run starting at 6.30am on Wednesday morning. Watch the 5th #IMEXEpisodes below and fast forward to 1.57 to see who crossed the finish line!

TERRAEVENTS Launch

SoolNua helped Lorenzo and the TERRAEVENTS team celebrate the launch of their rebrand from Plus39 Italy, Plus351 Portugal, Plus34 Spain to TERRAEVENTS at IMEX.

#worldICECREAMindex Winner

SoolNua presented the Ice Cream Trophy to the winner of the #worldICECREAMindex competition, Lauren Guptill, the founder of Rococo Artisan Ice Cream in Kennebunkport, Maine.

IMEX America 2018 Show Stats

According to IMEX Group, the show boasted the following statistics:

• 13,000 estimated participants
• 6,000 attendees
• 3,300 hosted buyers
• More than 3,500 exhibitors
• More than 150 countries represented
• 70,000 estimated appointments
• Economic impact of $19.1 million 

The success of IMEX America, particularly the economic impact, illustrated what IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom called “a landmark week” for the events industry.

“(The) announcement at IMEX America that globally, business events generate over $1 trillion in direct spending, matching the consumer electronics sector in size, puts its economic contribution into clear perspective and places it among the world’s leading business markets,” Bloom explained.

IMEX America 2019 will return to the Sands Expo Sept. 10-12 and will take place Sept. 15–17 in 2020. The event is committed to exhibiting in Las Vegas through 2025.

To learn more about IMEX Group and its future events, go HERE.