Thousands of
#eventprofs and industry specialists have assembled at ExCeL London to commence
two days of connection, learning and networking at The Meetings Show 2024.
The
UK’s leading event for the meetings and
incentives industry kicked off with a singalong, a dance-off and spontaneous
poetry session as part of its innovative and inspiring education programme.
Lucy Eden,
founder of Be in Your Element’s, session 9
To Thrive: Dolly Parton's Guide To Sustainably Rocking Events And Meetings drew
crowds to hear tips on brilliant event delivery, set against the tunes of
legendary country singer Dolly Parton.
Meanwhile,
visitors to the Blank Canvas – an area designed to deliver practical and
hands-on advice – shook it off with Taylor Smith of BCD Meetings & Events
in his energetic trend retrospective Trends
vs Reality Danceoff With Taylor Swift (sorry, Smith!) before space
was made for the Great AI
Hackathon – a look at how AI can support events – with Claus
Raasted.
Other sessions on diversity, sustainability, careers and
marketing took place on the Impact and Inform and Innovate and Inspire stages
while more intimate talks and workshops took place on stands including isla’s,
The Meetings Industry Association (mia), MESA and the Power of Events Hub.
The show
floor buzzed as thousands of meetings took place between buyers and almost 700
exhibitors – from convention bureaux and DMCs to hotels and conference centres
– from the UK and around the globe.
New
exhibitors ready to share news and updates this year include ProColombia (C41),
STAR Your World (E41), which will be joined by six DMC partners; VisitDetroit
CVB (E11), Hyatt Hotels (F30) and Radisson Hotel Group (F20).
Other highlights from day one included:
- Hard Talk with
Women in Exhibitions UK Chapter: This interactive
session saw WiE board member Laura Tavernor lead a debate addressing
gender bias and other career challenges in the events industry.
- The debut of the world’s first zero waste stand made from
event waste carpet. Thanks to a collaboration between creator Paradigm and
partners isla, The Bulb, Informa and The Meetings Show, a prototype of the
innovative reusable zero waste stand was revealed to the world’s meetings
and events community (stand A41)
- Wall-to-wall
networking. There were multiple meetings in the Central Lounge, Hosted
Buyer Lounge as well as on stands with VisitScotland, Delegate Wranglers,
The British Motor Museum and Venues of Excellence among those holding
drinks receptions.
- The mia (D51) unveiled its new identity. The new branding is
designed to celebrate collaboration, networking, and fostering positive
relationships, reflecting the core values and objectives of the mia in
supporting and bringing people together.
The show
continues tomorrow (Thursday, 20 June) with a 5k Go Running! Tour (or 3k brisk
walk) kicking off the day for those looking to burn off energy before the exhibition
opens again at 9:30am.
Education
sessions to bookmark include Data
& Research, a panel discussion on the topic hosted by the Power
of Events (Power of Events Hub E71) and Transformative Conversation: Turning
Conflict into Connection (Innovate & Inspire at 10am) with Jo Berry of
Building Bridges for Peace. A speaker and expert in conflict
transformation, Berry will explore the profound impact of empathy, communication, and vulnerability in
bridging divides and fostering genuine connections.
Those
interested in technology should head to the MESA stand (F80) at 12pm to hear
from their tech stand partners about their product and for tips on how to integrate
it into their next event.
There will also be chances for further
networking, exhibitor meetings and more.
Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director,
Northstar Meetings Group, said: “It’s been a fantastic start to The Meetings
Show 2024 with a real buzz felt across the show floor. Hundreds of meetings
have been taking place between our exhibitors and buyers are picking up
valuable knowledge and tips in sessions from our packed education programme. We
can’t wait to see what’s in store for day two.”
