The Meetings Show launches refined Destination Showcase

The Meetings Show’s diary system is live, allowing buyers to create personalised itineraries that include exhibitor appointments, education sessions and attendance at the Destination Showcases.

Following a trial in 2015, hosted buyers will also be able to attend Destination Showcase sessions, where destinations including London & Partners, Moroccan Tourist Board and Korea MICE Bureau will be highlighting their key offering in bite-sized chunks taking place on each day of the show. Each session provides a balanced mix of non-competing, well-known industry leaders juxtaposed with the truly unusual hidden gems that buyers are either unlikely to have heard of or haven’t had time to learn more about.

The hosted buyer programme, which is the cornerstone of the event, allows buyers to choose appointments with exhibitors that are of genuine interest to their business, as well as education sessions that will allow them to feed their mind and develop knowledge of relevance to their work.

“Last year’s event saw more than 12,000 face to face meetings,” comments The Meetings Show’s Event Director, Steve Knight. “This year, based on feedback we received, I am particularly pleased that hosted buyers benefit from being able to pick their own optional Destinations Showcase sessions relevant to their needs in advance of the show and add them to their diaries to help with itinerary planning. As with 2015, Destination Showcases are open to all attendees, including visitors and exhibitors.

“The hosted buyer diary opening is a really exciting moment in the life cycle of our event and we are already seeing significant activity, particularly amongst UK buyers. It provides buyers and exhibitors with their initial means of contact, allowing them to start building relationships in the run up to the show.”

Qualified hosted buyers are in charge of their itineraries and make their own appointments, giving them the freedom to choose meetings with the exhibitors who are right for their business; they receive complimentary travel and accommodation, as well as transportation to Olympia from host hotels and networking venues; a choice of hosted buyer lounges; and a range of high-quality networking events and education sessions. A specially created, flexible option also exists for individuals who live or work within commuting distance of The Meetings Show but wish to receive the on-site benefits.

Organised by Centaur Live (a division of Centaur Media Plc), The Meetings Show is the premier event for the UK inbound and outbound meetings industry, taking place 14-16 June 2016 at Olympia, London. Organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals it is focused around a large exhibition, networking opportunities and professional education. To register, visit themeetingsshow.com.