The IMEX Group of Hove, England, worked with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) to launch a new neurodivergent event inclusivity standard, which was announced at IMEX America in Las Vegas on Oct. 8. As part of its collaboration with the two organizations, IMEX submitted IMEX America for this new neurodivergent event design framework and, as a result, the show has been awarded Level III Comprehensive Neurodivergent Accommodation, the highest level of endorsement. (The award applies only to those aspects within IMEX’s control, not the exhibit floor.) Level III signifies a fully neurodivergent-inclusive event with design strategies that ensure accessibility for all attendees, integrating inclusivity into every stage of planning, execution, and feedback.
To achieve the endorsement, the IMEX-operated elements outside of the exhibition floor were audited, including the Resilience Room, which was designed, built, and run by Hello! Destination Management of Orlando, Florida; the Hosted Buyer Lounge; and various soundproof workstations. Assessments focused on sensory considerations, program design, and communication.
“By embodying our core value of ‘people first,’ we have embraced a human-led approach to event design that prioritizes the needs of every attendee,” says Oli Bailey, interaction designer at IMEX, in a prepared statement. “This new neurodivergent event standard framework not only reflects that commitment—it also sets a precedent for the global events industry to follow. It’s a meaningful step toward making neuroinclusivity an industry benchmark and a foundational element of how events are imagined and delivered. We’re proud that IMEX America has achieved Level III Comprehensive Neurodivergent Accommodation. At the same time, we understand that accessibility is a continuous journey—there’s always room to grow, and we remain committed to learning and evolving.”
The IMEX Group will issue additional details in the coming weeks, signposting planners to free resources and details about the new neurodivergent event standard’s requirements. IMEX America ran this year at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Oct. 7-9.
