EAs and PAs looking to get ahead in meetings and events should block out 19 and 20 June to attend The Meetings Show 2024. The two day event provides access to the industry’s top suppliers, plus you can pick up top career advice and make worthy connections. Let’s look at the key benefits for PAs to attend The Meetings Show…
The UK’s leading event that brings together the world’s meetings and events community returns to ExCeL London next month and promises valuable takeaways for those willing to #TakeTheTime to visit.
Key benefits for PAs to attending The Meetings Show:
1.Brush up on industry knowledge
Knowledge expansion and the application of learnings to your work are key ways to progress and this year’s education programme, curated in partnership with The Attendee Experience Company (atex) is designed to aid attendees with this aim.
Each of the 35 sessions across four key themes – Inform, Inspire, Innovate and Impact – will enrich attendees with knowledge they didn’t know they needed, empower them to think, connect and plan differently and show innovative ways to do and be better.
Unmissable sessions for PAs to attend include:
9 to Thrive: Dolly Parton’s Guide to Sustainably Rocking Events and Meetings with Be in your Element’s Lucy Eden
Venue Sourcing In The New Era: Evolving From Order Takers To Strategic Consultants with Emma Bason of American Express GBT Meetings & Events
PA Life’s discussion Innovation: A Critical Element for Event Success which will look at who drives innovation, how events stay relevant, AI and sustainability.
The show’s Blank Canvas area returns for another year to provide a more immersive learning experience. Gain a better grasp of AI and learn how it can support the planning and delivery of events in The Great AI Hackathon with Claus Raasted and join SongDivision for an immersive team building workshop in Lead Like a Rockstar – Creating Team Harmony.
2. Meet MICE suppliers from around the world
If you have meetings and events to organise now and in the future, The Meetings Show is the place to go to scope out the destinations and venues to host them in and the suppliers to support them.
Global suppliers – from destinations and destination management companies, to hotels, venues, incentives agencies and technology suppliers – will be ready to connect with buyers and offer them tantalising solutions for every type of event.
Confirmed for 2024 are Q Hotels, Handpicked Hotels, Visit Wales and many more from the UK. You will also meet plenty of international suppliers, including the Greek National Tourist Board, Meet Boston, Istanbul CVB, Zimbabwe Tourism, Malaysia Conference and Exhibition Bureau, Visit Finland, Westin Grand Frankfurt & Hamburg, Atout France and Estonia CVB.
Exhibiting for the first time is STAR Your World, which will be joined by its DMC partners, while Banff & Lake Louise is a new destination for 2024 and can be found in the Canada Pavilion alongside Calgary Convention Centre, Meet Edmonton, Destination Vancouver, and Air Canada.
To maintain The Meetings Show’s renowned reputation for attracting quality buyers, all applications for complimentary attendance are fully vetted. Other meetings industry professionals are welcome to attend by purchasing a non-buyer visitor ticket.
If you’re a UK or European decision-maker responsible for organising a large number of meetings and events, you can apply to be a hosted buyer.
Hosted buyer applications are also checked against a set of criteria. If accepted onto the programme, hosted buyers get a range of benefits, from access to a dedicated appointments diary, exclusive networking events and fam trips, to complimentary travel and accommodation (for those outside London).
3. Build your industry network – and take time out
The Meetings Show offers ample opportunities for building networks.
As well as catching up with industry peers and friends, there are multiple chances to make new connections and grow your network throughout the two days.
For hosted buyers, there is a welcome reception in London, a hosted buyers lounge onsite. Plus the opportunity to join fam trips making it easy to meet fellow eventprofs.
There are also social events for all visitors, including on-stand drinks and after-show parties.
Wellbeing at the show hasn’t been forgotten either
Recognising that the hustle and bustle of trade shows can be overwhelming for some, The Meetings Show has again teamed up with wellbeing not-for-profit EventWell. Their team will run a Wellbeing Hub, including the Quiet Room. That’s a calm space offering sanctuary from the busy show floor. There will also be a Wellbeing Bar hosting breathing and yoga sessions.
To further improve accessibility, new for this year is the EventWell Buddy System. EventWell Buddies will be on hand to help you navigate the venue and event if needed, providing information on the layout, facilities, and key areas – like keynote stages, the quiet room, accessible toilets and more.
Find out what’s on at the show here
Register to attend
To register for The Meetings Show here. The show is co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show
For more key industry events for PAs and EAs to attend, as well as exclusive PA Life Club events, please check out our Upcoming Events section.
