The Meetings Show 2026 Set to Welcome Nearly 6,000 Event Professionals
The Meetings Show 2026, the UK’s leading exhibition for meetings, incentives, conferences and events professionals, will officially open with Martin Rhodes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events and Labour MP for Glasgow, cutting the ribbon at Excel London on 24 June 2026.
Taking place on 24-25 June 2026, the highly anticipated event is expected to attract nearly 6,000 industry professionals from across the UK and international markets for two days of networking, business opportunities, innovation and education.
Martin Rhodes MP to Engage With Industry Leaders
Following the official opening ceremony, Martin Rhodes MP will tour the exhibition floor, meeting buyers, exhibitors and stakeholders from across the global events industry. Discussions are expected to focus on the opportunities, challenges and future growth of the meetings and events sector.
Speaking ahead of the event, Martin Rhodes MP said he was looking forward to attending and officially opening The Meetings Show 2026.
“As one of the UK’s leading gatherings for the meetings and events industry, it brings together the people, ideas and connections that drive the sector forward. I’m looking forward to meeting those at the heart of this important industry and hearing first-hand about the opportunities to further grow our world-leading event economy,” he said.
The Meetings Show Continues Its Strong Industry Legacy
The Meetings Show has built a strong tradition of welcoming influential political and industry leaders to mark its opening. Previous attendees have included Nigel Huddleston MP, former Minister of Tourism and current Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, along with James Heappey, former Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events.
Now celebrating its 14th edition, The Meetings Show has become one of the most important business events for event planners, conference organisers, destination management companies and hospitality professionals.
More Than 550 Exhibitors and 80 International Destinations
The 2026 edition will feature over 550 exhibitors and more than 80 international destinations under one roof, offering attendees direct access to hotels, venues, convention bureaux, tourism boards and event service providers from around the world.
Leading global brands attending the show include Meliá Hotels International, Marriott International, Cvent, Rwanda Convention Bureau and VisitBritain.
Several new exhibitors will also make their debut this year, including SAX Paris by LXR Hotels & Resorts, Aries Group, Hotel Ripa Roma, Kalimera Kriti Hotels and Resort Village, Uniworld Cruises, Royal Maritime Hotels, Dakota Hotels and 1Hotels.
Expanded Education Programme Featuring Industry Experts
The Meetings Show 2026 will also introduce a newly redesigned education programme featuring 63 sessions across three stages. The programme includes keynote presentations, workshops, Q&A sessions and panel discussions designed to provide valuable insights into the evolving events industry.
Headline speakers include Emma Henderson MBE, one of the world’s few female airline captains until 2020, and John Vincent MBE, co-founder and former CEO of LEON, who will present a session titled “From LEON to Live Events: Building Brands People Love.”
UK’s Largest Hosted Buyer Programme Returns
The Meetings Show is home to the UK’s largest hosted buyer programme, enabling pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between buyers and more than 550 hotels, venues and destinations from the UK and international markets.
Hosted buyers already confirmed for the 2026 edition include representatives from Deloitte, AbbVie, Principal Global Events, Bray Leino Events and First Event.
In addition to the hosted buyer programme, professionals can also attend as visitor buyers, giving them greater flexibility to explore the exhibition, attend educational sessions and network with suppliers and peers at their own pace.
Co-Located With Major Travel Industry Events
The Meetings Show 2026 will be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show, creating one of the largest gatherings for the meetings, business travel and travel technology sectors in Europe.
Jack Marczewski, Portfolio Event Director of Northstar Travel Group, said the organisers were delighted to welcome Martin Rhodes MP to officially open the show.
“We’re delighted to have Martin Rhodes MP officially open The Meetings Show this year. It’s a fantastic way to kick off what will be two incredible days for the events industry,” he said.
The Meetings Show 2026 is expected to deliver significant networking opportunities, business growth and market insights for professionals across the global meetings and events industry.
