The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau and four destination hotels participated in the leading meetings industry trade show.
The Riviera Nayarit solidified its position as the leading meetings destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast, following its successful participation in the IMEX America International Trade Fair. IMEX America is the most significant event on the American continent dedicated to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.
IMEX America 2021 took place from November 9 to 11 in Las Vegas, United States, where top exhibitors promoted their destinations, products, and services. The event was attended by 2,200 exhibitors and 3,000 buyers from more than 150 countries around the world.
In 2020 organizers canceled the fair because of the pandemic, so meetings industry professionals eagerly awaited it. Although this was one of the tourism industry’s most affected segments, it shows a clear recovery trend for 2022 and 2023. Attendees concentrated on reactivating the business. Although this tenth edition attracted fewer buyers than other editions because of the restrictions still in place in several countries, the Riviera Nayarit remained competitive and top of mind compared to other destinations.
The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) participated with a delegation of four destination hotels: The St. Regis Punta Mita, Conrad Punta de Mita, Paradise Village, and W Punta de Mita. The CVB secured more than 20 business appointments and gave four presentations to more than 30 meeting planners, resulting in group prospects for 2022 and 2023, including one with nearly 3,000 people. The hotel representatives who accompanied the CVB made their own business appointments, generating additional opportunities for the destination.
Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit CVB and the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association, said that events such as IMEX America are very productive because they create excellent business opportunities for the region’s MICE segment.
“There’s no doubt the Meetings Industry is making up for the ground lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, and events such as IMEX America are paving the way for the segment’s growth in the coming years,” he said.
He added that the Riviera Nayarit had become one of Mexico’s most important meetings industry destinations in recent years, thanks to its proximity to major markets such as the United States and Canada.
A vital feature of this market is the significant local economic spillover it generates, as it typically includes programs with a variety of activities for clients to explore the destination. Furthermore, planning involves events that are confirmed and booked in advance, with some date flexibility, which ensures medium- and long-term occupancy of the destination during certain times of the year.
+ The Riviera Nayarit has over 17,000 m² in hotel ballrooms for events and conventions with state-of-the-art technology. In addition, there are alternative indoor and outdoor spaces that can host meetings for up to 1,500 participants, as well as conferences and incentive programs.
The Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Our hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments follow all the health protocols established by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Health and operate at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance.
The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) reaffirm their commitment to the strategic promotion of the destination. They pursue areas of opportunity and consolidate new markets to increase the number of incoming tourists to the destination for the benefit of all Nayarit residents with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit.