Subject:
Title
Contract for Exhibition Participation with IMEX America Ltd., for booth space at 2026 IMEX America, including indemnification provisions.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Contract for Exhibition Participation with IMEX America Ltd., for booth space at 2026 IMEX America, including indemnification provisions.
• IMEX is one of the largest hosted trade shows in the U.S. for the meetings industry.
• As a direct result of participation in IMEX America 2025, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater has already been sourced on 12 qualified leads, representing more than 6,000 room nights and a potential economic impact of $4.1 million for the destination.
• IMEX America Ltd. will not agree to remove indemnification provisions.
• County Attorney has reviewed to ensure contract meets the indemnification waiver criteria set forth in paragraph three of Resolution No. 06-70.
• This agreement is budgeted for in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget of Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) in the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
2. Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
The contract with IMEX America Ltd., is for exhibition space at 2026 IMEX America, which is scheduled for October 11-16, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Participation at this event is necessary to meet the marketing goals of the CVB as it involves hosting a series of appointments and networking with meeting planners from the corporate, incentive, association, insurance, financial, and SMERF (social, military, education, religious and fraternal) markets (all markets).
Background/Explanation:
IMEX is one of the largest hosted shows in the U.S. for the meetings industry with over 4,000 meeting planners in attendance annually. Last year, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater attended with five hotel partners and conducted over 70 pre-scheduled appointments with planners across diverse industry sectors. In addition to individual appointments, the team facilitated group presentations with 10-15 planners at a time, providing comprehensive destination education and showcasing partner properties.
At this year’s show, the CVB will share the booth with six hotel partners: Sheraton Sand Key, Hilton Clearwater Beach, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Opal Collection, TradeWinds Island Grand and Clearwater Beach Marriott Resort on Sand Key.
Fiscal Impact:
Total Estimated Cost: $88,000
Funding to support the Contract for Exhibition Participation in the amount of $88,000 is provided through the CVB’s Annual Operating Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Department Director to sign this Contract for Exhibition Participation was granted by the County Administrator under Resolution No. 06-70.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Contract for Exhibition Participation
Supporting Documentation
Resolution No. 06-70