IMEX America and Event Manager Blog (EMB) have partnered for the IMEX event technology startup competition, #IMEXpitch, which will take place during the Las Vegas show on 13 October.
#IMEXpitch will enable event technology start-ups to showcase their products to visitors, while giving IMEX America attendees the opportunity to learn about new event technology products.
Along with the judging panel, IMEX and EMB will select five finalists who will compete in a live head-to-head five-minute long pitch competition at IMEX America 2015 in Las Vegas.
The session is set to be featured as part of the event’s education programme in the Inspiration Hub, where the event tech industry expert judges will award the prize on the day. There will also be a live audience of up to 60 attendees who will also vote for a public vote (with no prize).
IMEX America said the winning product will receive a free of charge exhibition space on the Technology Pavilion at IMEX America 2016 in addition to media coverage on the various IMEX America media and PR channels.
Winner of the Event Technology Startup Competition at IMEX America 2014, Raphael Harmel, CEO of Speecheo said: "All the key players are there. It is a great opportunity to talk and meet them face-to-face. So many valuable contacts and some investors' interest also.
"We have since been accepted in one of the best incubator in Paris, dedicated to tourism and MICE. Winning a great prize like the IMEXpitch was definitely a good sign for the jury."
Miguel Neves, senior online community manager at IMEX Group said: "Event technology just keeps getting bigger and bigger, more pervasive and more important for planners and for attendees, so having a tech start-up competition as part of a meetings and events industry show is an important new angle."
Applications will be accepted until 31 August (at 11:59pm BST), and the shortlisted companies will be announced on 3 September.
IMEX America runs from 13 to 15 October
