If you regularly plan or commission large-scale global events, you can join our hosted buyer programme. 
 
Our hosted buyer programme is designed for event professionals coming to IMEX with business in mind. You’ll enjoy a VIP experience with free travel (from within Europe and long-haul too if you’re coming as part of a hosted buyer group), and free accommodation while you’re at the show. 
 
You'll also have access to exclusive networking and education events, and access to our Hosted Buyer Lounge. 

Hosted buyer practicalities 

• We run the most flexible hosted buyer programme in the world - and as an IMEX hosted buyer you have the flexibility to meet who you wish to. But when you accept an invitation to be an IMEX hosted buyer, you're making a commitment to make genuine business appointments with our exhibitors. We recommend at least six to eight appointments per day.
   
• Attendance is free. There are no cancellation fees or  fines. Any cancellations should be made at least 72 hours before the show in your IMEX account or by email. 
   
• When you submit your travel reimbursement claim, we will check that you have attended IMEX for your full programme days before we issue your reimbursement. We also check that you have made and attended appointments before we accept you as a hosted buyer at future IMEX shows.
   
• A colleague can attend in your place, however they still need to complete the hosted buyer registration form so we can qualify them and obtain their contact details and travel preferences. 
   
• Once you've accepted an invitation to join a hosted buyer group, you cannot switch to another hosted buyer group.
   
• We can only accept one hosted buyer registration per person. If you register more than once, we will only process your first registration.
   
• Your email address is shared with the exhibitors you make appointments with. They should only contact you through our online appointment system and are limited in the number of messages they can send you.

Terms and conditions of attendance

Hosted buyer programme options

As a hosted buyer you (and your hosted buyer group) will be placed on one of the following programmes:

Tuesday and Wednesday programme (for European hosted buyers only). You commit to being at the show for two days (from 10:00 to 17:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday). We host you for one night (Tuesday).

Wednesday and Thursday programme (for European hosted buyers only). You commit to being at the show for two days (from 10:00 to 17:30 on Wednesday and from 10:00 to 16:30 on Thursday). We host you for one night (Wednesday).

Monday to Wednesday programme (for European and mid-haul hosted buyers only). You commit to being at the show for two days (from 10:00 to 17:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday). We host you for two nights (Monday and Tuesday).

Tuesday to Thursday programme (for European and mid-haul hosted buyers only). You commit to being at the show for three days (from 10:00 to 17:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10:00 to 16:30 on Thursday). We host you for two nights (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Monday to Thursday programme (for long-haul hosted buyers only). You commit to being at the show for three days (from 10:00 to 17:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10:00 to 16:30 on Thursday). We host you for three nights (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday).

Monday to Friday programme (for long-haul hosted buyers flying home direct on Friday). You commit to being at the show for three days from 10:00 to 17:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10:00 to 16:30 on Thursday. We host you for four nights (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).




 

There are two ways to become a hosted buyer: 

1. Through an invitation email from an intermediary (an intermediary is an exhibitor who invites their clients to IMEX)  

2. Register with us direct.
 
If you’ve received an invitation email from an intermediary, use the link they've sent you to create your IMEX account and the unique invitation code to register to join their hosted buyer group. We’ll check your registration and let you know if you’ve been approved as a hosted buyer. This may take up to a week. If you don’t meet our qualifying criteria, we’ll invite you register as a visitor buyer instead.