Plot twist: I'm not going to IMEX America this year. Why I chose real rest over showing up half-okay, and what I'll miss most.
If you know me, you know IMEX America is circled on my calendar every single year. It's one of those weeks I look forward to all year long.
This year, I'm sitting it out. 😭
And yes, the FOMO is already VERY real.
The honest reason
I'm sick. Not the "grab an extra coffee and push through" kind of sick. The kind where my body is very clearly asking for real rest. So I had a choice. Show up in Vegas half-okay, or stay home and actually get better. I chose better.
Here's the thing about what I do. Whether I'm emceeing, facilitating, or designing an experience, my job is to hold the room. To notice. To read the energy, pivot when it's needed, and make people feel seen.
You can't hold a room you're not fully present in.
IMEX isn't a week you coast through. It's long days, back-to-back conversations, and miles of walking the show floor. If I showed up at 60%, you'd get 60% of me. This community deserves more than that. Honestly? So do I.
We talk a lot in this industry about designing for wellbeing. Pacing. White space. Room to breathe. Then we turn around and run ourselves into the ground producing it.
Rest isn't the opposite of commitment. Sometimes rest IS the commitment.
What I'm going to miss
The hugs. The selfies. The familiar faces and the brand-new ones. Sharing a little industry education, leading great conversations, and of course, staying for the conversation after the conversation. ❤️
That last one is my favorite. It happens in the hallway, the coffee line, the walk to the next session. It's where the real connection lives.
I was SO looking forward to all of it this year. The people. The community. The whole experience. Missing it stings, and I'm not going to pretend it doesn't.
What I'm doing instead
First, resting. For real.
Then, easing back in. October is still a full month for me, with a few events already on the calendar. I'm preparing for them now, gradually, and being intentional about the right amount of work each day so my energy has room to rebuild.
Because when I walk into those rooms, I want to be all the way there.
The goal isn't just to get back. It's to come back better than before.
If you're headed to Vegas, do me a favor
Have an extra conversation for me. Give an extra hug. Take the selfie. Meet the person. Make the connection. Stay for the conversation after the conversation.
You never know which one might matter.
And to the entire IMEX team: I know how much work goes into creating a week like this. Wishing you an incredible show. I'll be cheering you on from afar.
See you at IMEX America 2027
Mark it down. I'll be back next year, rested, recharged, and ready for every hug I missed this time around.
Until then, I'll see you in the rooms I'm in this October and beyond.
Have the BEST time in Vegas, friends. And somebody better send me some selfies. 😂