Event professionals have been empowered, informed and inspired to think, connect, plan
and live differently during day one of The Meetings Show 2023.
The UK’s leading event for the meetings and incentives industry welcomed thousands of
buyers and industry specialists through the doors at ExCeL London for the start
of two days of inspirational learning, business and networking opportunities.
Opening keynotes delivered in partnership with speaker consultancy Spectrum saw Lucy
Eden, founder of Be in Your Element invigorate the audience in Wellness for creativity while
networking and faith exclusion expert Farah Hussain gave confidence tips for introverts in
her session How to network when you’re an introvert.
There were interactive sessions in the Blank Canvas – a new space designed for
experimentation and to provide a place where attendees can push boundaries and unleash
creativity – including Let’s Talk, a ‘clubhouse’ style conversation around safeguarding and
inclusion and mental health and wellbeing and Fail Like a Pro, a workshop delivered by
Clowns Without Borders.
More than 600 exhibitors, including global destinations, venues, and suppliers met with
planners from some of the world’s biggest organisations and event agencies to demonstrate
how they could support their next conference, meeting, event or incentive.
A number of stands welcomed buyers to network informally over tea and coffee, or glasses
of fizz and cocktails and others held competitions and exciting activations with everyone
invited to toast the end of a successful day at The Meetings Show Networking Drinks in the
Central Lounge.
The show continues on Thursday 29 June with yet more opportunities for learning and
connecting.
Discussions on sustainability and technology will kickstart a day of inspiring talks, while the
Blank Canvas will give event professionals the chance to get more hands on with a DIY
recruitment workshop.
Later in the day, The Business of Events, which ran a sector-wide consultation in early 2023,
will bring senior industry stakeholders together to discuss policy initiatives and explore how
they will form part of a wider agenda to develop a comprehensive plan in Government Policy
Initiatives for the Events Sector.
A wide range of sessions covering pertinent topics – from AI to data – will continue through
the day finishing with Jumpstarting Your Career in Events. The panel discussion, part of The
Meetings Show’s support for the future of the industry, will explore how aspiring
professionals can launch their careers in events.
Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director, The Meetings Show, TEAMS Europe and
Business Travel Show Europe, said: “We’ve had an incredible first day of The Meetings
Show 2023 and it has been wonderful to see thousands of members of the business
meetings and events community #TakeTheTime to join us. There has been an immense
buzz around the show floor with thousands of meetings and networking events happening
on stands. Our re-energised education programme has been a huge hit with event planners
and we can’t wait for more tomorrow.”
For more information and to attend day two visit https://www.themeetingsshow.com
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
