Ireland targets Business Events growth at IMEX America

Meet in Ireland – that’s the message at IMEX America in Las Vegas this week. Tourism Ireland – together with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, as part of the ‘Meet in Ireland’ team – is joined by 39 tourism companies from around the island of Ireland at this important annual event in the Business Events calendar.

IMEX (International Meetings and Events Exhibition) America is the largest trade show for the Business Events sector in the United States – bringing together decision-makers from the global corporate meetings, events and incentive travel industry. Representing the island of Ireland at this influential event are leading hotels, conference venues, destination management companies and professional conference organisers. The aim is to position Ireland as a world-class destination for Business Events and to contract business for 2027 and beyond with the thousands of buyers in attendance – from North America and elsewhere around the world – who organise international meetings and incentive travel. 

Around 2,000 commercial meetings will be conducted on the Ireland stand this week, which will, in turn, deliver Business Events for Ireland from around the world worth millions of euros in 2027 and beyond. 

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Business Events and Luxury, said: “IMEX America is a key platform for promoting the island of Ireland to influential buyers from the global meetings, events and incentive travel sector. Working in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI through the ‘Meet in Ireland’ programme, we are showcasing the exceptional range of business events experiences available across the island.

“With 39 tourism companies from across the island taking part and around 2,000 commercial meetings scheduled, we are confident that this year's event will help secure valuable business for Ireland in the years ahead and further strengthen our reputation as a premier business events destination.”

Ahead of IMEX America, Tourism Ireland hosted an ‘Ireland Golf Day’ at Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas, bringing together more than 20 tourism partners from across the island with North American event planners and key media. With the countdown underway to the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027, Tourism Ireland is showcasing the island's world-class golf experiences, exceptional venues and growing appeal as a destination for meetings, incentives and golf tourism.

Tourism Ireland’s goal is to enable 7,500 commercial Business Events meetings this year – connecting tourism operators from Ireland with overseas buyers to grow Business Events and support businesses across the island. Business travel is high value and often midweek and off season by its nature, thereby aligning with Tourism Ireland’s strategy to grow overseas tourism revenue outside of the peak summer season.

‘Meet in Ireland’ is the official MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) brand for the island of Ireland, comprising Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, who work in partnership to promote the island of Ireland as a leading Business Events destination.

Tourism partners from the island of Ireland at IMEX America in Las Vegas, with Ciara Gallagher, Fáilte Ireland (seated, second left); and Alison Metcalfe (second row, eighth right), Stephen Bradley (left) and David Boyce (right), all Tourism Ireland.