Counting down to The Meetings Show

With The Meetings Show nearly here, we round up some of the latest show updates and key highlights.

It's June, which means it’s almost time for The Meetings Show. We’ve got two jam-packed days planned, so to help you navigate all the activity as best you can, here are some of the latest show updates and key highlights.

Getting to the show: The new high-speed Elizabeth line has finally opened, which will make travelling to ExCeL London easier than ever. Direct trains run from Heathrow, Farringdon, Paddington and Liverpool Street. Visitors from central London will be able to reach the venue in as little as 12 minutes, while door-to-door from Heathrow Airport will be just 43 minutes.

All aboard for hosted buyers: Several hundred hosted buyers will be kicking off the show in style, partying aboard the Royal Navy warship HMS Belfast, part of Lime Venue Portfolio. The Hosted Buyer Welcome Reception takes place on Tuesday 28 June, the evening before the 10th edition of The Meetings Show officially opens.

We have over 300 hosted buyers already registered and over 1,000 appointments booked so far. They include senior representatives from corporates, agencies and associations such as Ericsson, Capgemini, BCD Meetings & Events, Yellow Fish, NHS Federation, and the Stroke Association.

Inspiration awaits: The finishing touches have been applied to our thought-provoking and inspiring education programme, which will see industry experts tackling tough questions and debating burning issues such as ‘Is the meetings industry suffering from PTSD?’, ‘Is the industry greenwashing elements of sustainability?’, and ‘The great recruitment challenge – how can the industry rebuild its workforce?’

ICC Wales will explore new legislation set to transform the way the events industry thinks about safety and security. With implications for everyone planning events in the UK, Danielle Bounds of ICC Wales and Counter-Terrorism Security Coordinator Garry Jones of Storm4 Events will provide a starting point for awareness of the Protect Duty legislation (formerly Martyn’s Law), signposting ways in which venues and planners around the world can implement and update their own security strategies.

Sizzling suppliers: Our exhibitor list keeps growing by the day, with Korea Tourism Organisation, Mallorca CVB and Business Events Perth among the latest destinations signing up. There will also be hotel, venue and tech suppliers galore, including Hilton, Melia, ICC, Kia Oval and Shocklogic.

Celebrate with us: And finally, the team has been busy planning lots of celebrations and surprises to mark our landmark 10th edition, including a networking drinks reception at the end of day one, a special DJ appearance, and much more!