The Meetings Show 2026 Set to Welcome Nearly 6,000 Industry Professionals to London

With just over a week to go before its doors open at Excel London, The Meetings Show 2026 is gearing up for what organisers expect to be one of its most ambitious editions yet.

Taking place on 24-25 June, the UK's flagship event for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector will bring together almost 6,000 professionals, more than 550 exhibitors and representatives from over 80 destinations worldwide for two days of business meetings, education, networking and industry insights.

Now in its 14th year, the show will be officially opened by Martin Rhodes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, who will tour the exhibition floor and meet buyers and exhibitors from across the industry.

Future-focused education programme

A major draw for attendees will once again be the show's extensive education programme, designed to help event professionals navigate emerging trends, evolving client expectations and new business opportunities.

Across 63 sessions taking place on three stages, delegates can expect a mix of keynote presentations, workshops, panel discussions and interactive Q&As featuring some of the sector's most respected voices.

Among the headline speakers is Emma Henderson MBE, one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide until 2020, who will share leadership lessons drawn from more than three decades in aviation. Joining her is John Vincent MBE, co-founder and former CEO of LEON, who will explore the principles behind purpose-led brands, resilient leadership and meaningful customer engagement.

Sustainability, inclusivity and future event design will also feature prominently. Sessions include Anna Abdelnoor's The sustainability excuses killing progress (and a blueprint on how to shut them down fast) and Creating neuroinclusive networking: designing events where everyone can connect, which will examine how networking experiences can better support neurodivergent participants.

Elsewhere, David Osgathorp from Red Bull Technology Campus will discuss leadership and performance in Lead like an elite athlete, while The Meetings Show Conference Futurist Dr Graham Norris will invite participants to imagine what the events industry could look like in 2036.

The programme will also showcase emerging industry voices through a session curated by this year's Tomorrow's Talent winners, challenging established thinking and exploring what the next generation believes must change within the sector.

Returning by popular demand is The Reckoning, a candid debate featuring Paul Harvey, Editor of M&IT, James Lancaster, Editorial Director at AMI, and Paula Rowntree, Founder of The Business Events Network. This year's discussion will focus on the growing influence of artificial intelligence and its impact on how event professionals work, create and connect.

Global destinations and suppliers under one roof

As one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Europe, The Meetings Show continues to offer buyers direct access to destinations, venues, hotels and suppliers from around the world.

Among the established brands exhibiting this year are Minor Hotels, Destination Toronto, Radisson Hotel Group, Cubex Centre Prague, Oman Convention Bureau and Visit Costa Rica.

They will be joined by a range of first-time exhibitors, including BESydney, Rainbow Tourism Group, Ras Al Khaimah, Wynn Al Marjan Island, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, The Met Hotel, National Parks of Georgia and Somerset County Cricket Club.

Accessibility moves centre stage

Inclusivity remains a major focus for the organisers, with several new initiatives being introduced for 2026.

Notably, The Meetings Show will become the first trade exhibition in the meetings and events sector to provide a fully staffed on-site crèche for attendees with families. Delivered in partnership with childcare specialist Nipperbout, the service will also include dedicated breastfeeding and baby-changing facilities.

Additional wellbeing and accessibility measures include The Calm Hub, a Sensory Calm and Quiet Room, EventWell Buddies offering personalised support across the exhibition floor, and AI-powered live captioning across all education stages.

Enhanced experiences for hosted buyers

Hosted buyers attending the event will benefit from an expanded programme beginning on 23 June, ahead of the main exhibition.

A series of specialist masterclasses will explore topics such as AI and automation, generational shifts, engagement design and the human experience of live events. Sessions will be led by industry experts including Gerrie Hawes of Remotely Human and Luke Goetting of LTG Strategy.

Hosted buyers will also be invited to an exclusive welcome reception at London's Savage Garden rooftop bar. Sponsored by Manchester Convention Bureau, the evening will feature live music, Manchester-inspired cocktails, interactive cooking stations and a collaborative ‘sip & paint’ experience developed with Paintillio.

Throughout the two-day event, attendees will also have access to a packed networking programme, including a morning running tour, a waterfront drinks reception hosted by Liverpool Experience Campus and ICC Wales' immersive The ignite red dragon experience.

Event app launches this week

To help visitors plan their schedules and maximise their time at the show, The Meetings Show app will launch later this week.

The platform will allow attendees to manage appointments, explore exhibitors, navigate the venue and build personalised agendas, making it easier to identify opportunities and connect with the right people throughout the event.

Commenting ahead of the show, Jack Marczewski, Portfolio Event Director, The Meetings Show, said: "We can’t wait to welcome the industry back to Excel London this June. The Meetings Show is where the global events community comes together to connect, learn and do business and 2026 is set to be one of the most feature-rich editions yet, with an extensive exhibitor line-up, a packed and forward-thinking education programme and a range of new and returning highlights for attendees.”

The Meetings Show 2026 will once again be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show, creating one of the largest annual gatherings of business events and travel professionals in Europe.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.