Spotlight on Ireland’s world-class Business Events offering in Las Vegas

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 35 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 2026 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 1,900 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 euro in 2026 and beyond. The Business Events sector contributes more than €1 billion to our economy each year and the new Business Events 2030 strategy for Ireland, launched earlier this year, has an ambitious target to drive an average annual revenue growth rate of +8% out to 2030.

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Business Events and Luxury, said:“Tourism Ireland is delighted to join with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI, as part of the ‘Meet in Ireland’ team, at IMEX America this week. IMEX America is a key event in the industry calendar and an extremely important platform for us to promote the island of Ireland as a premier destination for Business Events. 

“We are delighted to have 35 tourism companies from across the island of Ireland with us at this year’s trade show. They’re engaging in around 1,900 commercial meetings and showcasing the best of Ireland to influential meeting and incentive travel planners from around the world. Our message is clear: with unique experiences, expert DMCs, and the renowned warm Irish welcome, Ireland is the perfect destination for incentive travel and corporate meetings.”

Ahead of IMEX America, Tourism Ireland hosted an ‘Ireland Golf Day’, at the Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas, bringing together tourism partners from Ireland with North American events planners and key media. Building on the momentum of The Open at Royal Portrush this summer and with the countdown now on to the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027, Tourism Ireland is showcasing our world-class golf and driving new opportunities for future growth in 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.