More than 6,000 pre scheduled appointments were booked by Hosted Buyers attending The Meetings Show UK by the time the show opened last week. In addition the system which allows exhibitors to invite the Hosted Buyers to further appointments was in full swing.  These key elements of the show offering are creating a wealth of business opportunities for the exhibitors, which include leading destinations, venues and meetings industry suppliers from around the world.

The inaugural Meetings Show UK took place last week (9-11 July, 2013) at Olympia, London.  Highlights of the show week include:
•  More than 190 separate education sessions
•  An Association Conference on 8th July, 2013 at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
•  Bespoke corporate, agency, pharmaceutical, healthcare and technology mini conferences
•  Industry focused keynotes
•  The launch of the full UK Economic Impact Study
•  A host of networking opportunities including “London Up Your Street”; Manchester Live; The Oysters Summer Party, Visit Scotland’s Summer Reception, Site GB Chapter Networking; and The Slovenian Embassy CVB Dinner
•  255 exhibiting Venues and Hotels with a further 200 represented by venue and marketing consortia
•  32 domestic conference marketing organisations (destinations)
•  55 international Destinations
•  68 exhibiting DMCs with a further 150 represented by DMC marketing organisations and representation companies
•  63 specialist meeting service providers / suppliers

The Meetings Show UK, Event Director, Steve Knight: “As an organiser our biggest surprise has been the market’s response to the launch of a Hosted Buyer led show in the UK.  A great many of the Hosted Buyers attendied for two or three days rather than just one – giving them more time at the show and the opportunity to book more appointments and engage with more exhibitors.  We have also noted that many of the UK senior buyers have opted to attend as visitors giving themselves flexibility over their own travel and accommodation resulting in a different breakdown to registrations than originally predicted.”

“The Meetings Show UK has generated a real buzz across the industry and we are delivering a fantastic education programme, supported by a wide range of networking and buyer events.  Our partners and exhibitors came together to create an exciting and engaging event with a wide variety of learning and business opportunities for meeting professionals from across the world.”