LIVE From IMEX: What Attendees Really Want from Events! w/CEO IMEX Group Carina Bauer & Freeman SVP Ken Holsinger

Live from IMEX in Las Vegas, the usual “make it more experiential” advice gets flipped on its head. With Jay Schwedelson joined by Ken Holsinger of Freeman and Carina Bauer of IMEX Group, you’ll hear why attendees remember the basics (one great connection, one useful idea) way more than the fancy stuff planners pour money into.

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Download and share the IMEX Group and Freeman experiential trends research, then use it to redesign your next event around learning, networking, and business before you spend on “wow” extras.

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Best Moments:

(01:33) The clearest explanation of what IMEX actually is and who it is really for

(05:42) The big “experience” disconnect between what planners build and what attendees want

(11:45) The stat that stunned me: planners think 78 percent have a memorable moment, attendees say 40

(12:09) If someone meets just one person, retention jumps to 51 percent

(12:31) Peak moments drive 85 percent retention, and “gala” never shows up in 2,100 attendee responses

(18:21) The best swag ever is either a 20-year-old branded card case or unreleased sneakers

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Check out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelson

Check Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

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Pre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research—let’s kick cancer’s butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206