This year at IMEX America, the largest trade show for the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry, we set up shop at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Surrounded by sprawling builds and elaborate displays, our 10×10 booth proved that size isn’t everything. With sharp messaging—Experiential Events, Exceptionally Easy—and one standout activation, our space quickly became a destination for curious attendees and engaged decision-makers.
At the Heart: The Experiential Vending Machine
Our Experiential Vending Machine wasn’t just dispensing giveaways—it was sparking conversations, capturing valuable attendee data, and demonstrating firsthand how brands can transform a simple interaction into measurable ROI. The insights we gathered revealed how organizations can leverage this same approach, and we’ve shared the full breakdown of key takeaways and what they mean for 2026 here.
To keep things fresh, we stocked the machine with a curated mix of branded swag:
Custom-branded Dunkin’ gift cards — because caffeine fuels more than just meetings.
Mood balls — stress-relieving, heat-sensitive color changers for quick zen moments.
Custom Out of Office koozies — making sure every drink was carried in style.
Purple mini fans — a functional flair item for the Vegas heat.
Purple “Experience Architect” T-shirts — a wearable nod to our industry identity.
And for those who booked appointments with our team? Each walked away with a Booked & Busy pouch, complete with a tag reading “packed with possibilities.”
Extending the Experience Beyond the Booth
Our activation didn’t stop at the show floor. We launched a Soundtrack Sweepstakes on Instagram, inviting vending machine participants to enter by following us, liking our giveaway post, and commenting their go-to pump-up track for the workday. The prize: a Bose Bluetooth portable speaker, perfect for life on the go.
The winner, Nadia, founder of Emoque, entered with her track of choice—The New Thing Dies by Ray Bull—adding a memorable finale to our IMEX engagement.
Why It Matters
Our booth demonstrated that experiential strategy can be both simple and impactful. The vending machine showed how companies can turn everyday giveaways into personalized connections, data-driven insights, and brand-building moments. By blending physical engagement with measurable outcomes, we proved that even a compact footprint can deliver outsized results.
IMEX America is the largest trade show for the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry. Hosted annually at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the event brings together thousands of event planners, suppliers, and industry leaders from around the world. More than just a marketplace, IMEX is where trends are spotted, partnerships are forged, and the future of experiential events takes shape.
