IMEX America 2026 runs October 13 to 15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, with Smart Monday, powered by MPI, kicking things off on October 12 with a full day of free education before the show floor opens. For exhibitors, the real work starts well before badges are scanned.
What Smart Monday is, and why it's worth planning around
- Smart Monday: A free education day the day before the main show floor opens, drawing attendees who arrive a full day early.
- Main show floor: Open October 13 through 15, built around scheduled buyer appointments as much as walk-up traffic.
- International audience: IMEX draws exhibitors and buyers from 80-plus countries, so booth messaging that leans on wordplay or idioms tends to underperform.
Pro tip: Exhibitors who show up for Smart Monday sessions get a lower-pressure day of networking before the floor opens. It's an underused window for warming up conversations that turn into scheduled meetings once the main show starts.
A badge and booth prep timeline
| Timing | What to lock in |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks out | Finalize booth staff list and order staff badges and lanyards |
| 2 weeks out | Confirm attendee scheduling appointments and print any variable-data name badges |
| Smart Monday, Oct 12 | Staff badges ready, roles color-coded for anyone attending pre-show sessions |
| Show floor, Oct 13 to 15 | Backup badge stock on hand for reprints or same-day staff additions |
Badging your booth team
With appointments and walk-up traffic both running at once, it helps for buyers to see at a glance who on your team handles what. Role-labeled staff badges, sales versus support versus leadership, cut down on the wrong conversation with the wrong person during a scheduled 15-minute meeting slot.
Keep reading
Get your booth team badged and ready before Smart Monday, with role-coded badges that make every scheduled meeting easier to find.
Frequently asked questions
When is IMEX America 2026?
The main show floor runs October 13 to 15, 2026, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Smart Monday, the free pre-show education day, is October 12.
Do I need badges for Smart Monday separately from the main show?
Check with IMEX registration for your specific credential type, but for your own booth staff, it's worth having badges ready by Smart Monday if any of your team is attending those sessions.
How early should I order booth staff badges for IMEX?
Aim for about 4 weeks out so you have a buffer for last-minute staff changes, plus time to reprint if your attendee list shifts before the show.