Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta exhibited at this year's IMEX America Expo, held in Las Vegas, Nevada October 13-15, 2014. Dubbed "America's worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events," this year's trade show was the biggest to date with growth in all key areas, according to IMEX Chairman, Ray Bloom.

Bloom confirmed that the number of exhibiting companies taking part had once again risen, going up from 2,694 in 2013 to 2,900 in 2014. In addition Bloom described the continued expansion of the hosted buyer program: "Numbers climbed from 2,000 at launch to reach 2,700 last year. This year we've hit over 2,900 for the first time," he said. He also mentioned that total participants for IMEX America 2014 were 10,000.

Among the 10,000 participants was a delegation from Puerto Vallarta headed by CVB Executive Director Miguel Andres Hernandez, who was accompanied by representatives from the Crown Paradise, Hilton Puerto Vallarta, Melia, Sheraton Buganvilias, Fiesta Americana, Velas Vallarta, and Westin Puerto Vallarta resorts, as well as delegates from the Vallarta DMC Association and the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center.

As an MPI Preferred Partner, Puerto Vallarta worked with Meeting Professionals International on a survey of the destination and its amenities for meetings and conventions with hosted buyers during 'Smart Monday,' and hosted a breakfast for almost 100 hosted buyers on Thursday morning.

Puerto Vallarta has become one of Mexico's leading meetings destinations because of its proximity to key markets in Mexico, the US and Canada. Led by its convention center, the destination has over 20 state-of-the-art meetings spaces in addition to alternative indoor and outdoor venues in the Sierra Madre jungles or by the Bay of Banderas that can handle meetings, conferences and incentive programs with up to 1,500 participants.

A unique meetings destination in Mexico, this world-class international leisure destination is located on the skirts of the Sierra Madre mountain range and the shores of the second largest bay in the Americas, the Bay of Banderas. With almost a 100 years of history, the city is enriched by Mexican heritage, colonial architecture, and vibrant culture, complemented by world-class amenities, accommodations and activities.

International meetings held in Puerto Vallarta can benefit from Mexico's Zero VAT tax credit on certain meeting expenses and attendees may receive a tax refund on their shopping costs with MoneyBack services.

The Puerto Vallarta delegation held almost 100 one-on-one meetings with planners from the US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nigeria in the Mexico Tourism Board's Booth in Las Vegas' Sands Expo & Convention Center.

In addition, as part of the Vallarta-Nayarit initiative, the region met with over 20 meetings planners and association representatives.