10th Edition: The Meetings Show heads down Memory Lane

To commemorate the 10th edition of The Meetings Show, we will be catching up with some of the founding members of the team to find out some of their personal highlights from the last nine years. First up is Rochelle Jayawardena, Group Marketing Director, Northstar Travel Group.

What are your personal highlights from being associated with the shows over the last nine years?
Being involved right at the start with the launch and having the chance to work with some of the most talented and connected industry professionals was an exhilarating experience. And now, watching the show grow and go from strength to strength each year is always a highlight.

What was, in your opinion, the pivotal point of evolution for TMS?
Last year was a pivotal point for me. The country and the world were emerging from Covid-19 but worried about the new variant. Even with all the planning and contingency planning, having The Meetings Show take place in-person still felt risky. When the show opened and the buyers came, the numbers exceeded anything that we thought possible and I remember looking around the show at the busy aisles and thinking, wow.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s this show?
There are two new events launching alongside The Meetings Show this year, TEAMS Europe which originated very successfully in the USA, and is aimed at sports organisers, and the AMI Summit based on our Associations Meetings International brand. They are events in their own right and a great addition to the show, giving organisers even more reasons to attend.

Where do you think TMS will be in 10 years?
My ambition for the show hasn’t changed. The Meetings Show only reflects what is already a wonderful marketplace, and I hope that it continues to offer a platform for bright minds to meet, create business opportunities and spearhead change. And that we continue to put on an event that delivers value for our exhibitors and our audience and keeps them coming back for more.