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Excitement builds as The Meetings Show prepares for eagerly awaited return to Excel London
With a little over one week to go until The Meetings Show 2026 opens its doors, anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the UK's leading gatherings for meetings, incentives and events professionals. Taking place at Excel London on 24-25 June, the show will bring together almost 6,000 industry professionals, more than 550 exhibitors, and representatives from over 80 destinations worldwide for two days of business, education, networking and inspiration. Now in its 14th year, Martin Rhodes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, will officially open The Meetings Show before touring the exhibition floor and meeting buyers and exhibitors from across the sector.An education programme with its eye on the futureThis year's education programme has been designed to help event professionals stay ahead of the latest trends and opportunities shaping the industry, bringing together a stellar line-up of speakers offering practical insight, future-focused ideas and tools that can be applied immediately. Spanning 63 sessions across three stages, and featuring a dynamic mix of panels, presentations, workshops and Q&As, headline speakers include Emma Henderson MBE, one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide until September 2020, who will draw on more than three decades of experience to share lessons from the flight deck to the board room. Also headlining is John Vincent MBE, co-founder and former CEO of LEON, who will share practical insights on building purpose-driven brands, leading with resilience and creating experiences people feel genuinely connected to. Other highlights include Anna Abdelnoor's ‘The sustainability excuses killing progress (and a blueprint on how to shut them down fast)’, which will examine the barriers preventing meaningful sustainability progress in events, and ‘Creating neuroinclusive networking: designing events where everyone can connect’, exploring how networking experiences can be redesigned to work better for neurodivergent attendees. Red Bull Technology Campus’ David Osgathorp will share practical approaches to leadership and performance in ‘Lead like an elite athlete’, while The Meetings Show Conference Futurist, Dr. Graham Norris, will use the power of collaborative imagination to reveal what industry leaders think events will look like in 2036. The programme will also feature a candid session curated by this year’s Tomorrow’s Talent winners challenging some of the industry's biggest assumptions. Expect strong opinions, fresh perspectives and honest debate as the next generation of event professionals share their views on what needs to change in a session sponsored by Legends Global. Also returning for 2026 is the ever-popular The Reckoning, a no-holds-barred debate that will see industry leaders Paul Harvey (Editor, M&IT), James Lancaster (Editorial Director, AMI) and Paula Rowntree (Founder, The Business Events Network) discuss the impact of AI on how event professionals work, create and connect.Global destinations, venues and suppliers under one roofThe Meetings Show continues to provide event buyers with the opportunity to meet a wide range of destinations, venues, hotels and suppliers all in one place. Big-name brands including Minor Hotels, Destination Toronto, Radisson Hotel Group, Cubex Centre Prague, Oman Convention Bureau, and Visit Costa Rica will be in attendance. These will be alongside a host of new exhibitors such as 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 - giving visitors access to both trusted names and fresh ideas.Accessibility and inclusivity at the showAs part of its commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive experience for attendees, this year, The Meetings Show will become the first meetings and events industry trade show to offer a fully staffed on-site crèche for attending families, meaning attendees can get the most out of the show without having to choose between professional opportunities and caring responsibilities. Delivered in partnership with event childcare specialist Nipperbout, the facility will also include a dedicated breastfeeding and nappy changing area. Attendees will also have access to a range of wellbeing initiatives, including The Calm Hub, a Sensory Calm and Quiet Room, and EventWell Buddies (dedicated individuals who provide personalised support and assistance for navigating the show floor), as well as AI-powered live captioning across the show's education stages to support greater access to content.Networking and hosted buyer benefitsExclusively for hosted buyers, The Meetings Show will offer a bespoke programme of masterclasses and a dedicated welcome reception designed to enhance connection, learning and early engagement. Taking place ahead of the main show on 23 June, the masterclasses will explore future-facing themes including AI and automation, generational change, engagement design and the human experience of live events, with sessions delivered by industry leaders including Gerrie Hawes from Remotely Human and Luke Goetting from LTG Strategy. Designed to bring buyers, exhibitors and industry peers together for an informal evening of networking ahead of the show opening, hosted buyers will also be invited to an exclusive welcome reception at Savage Garden rooftop bar. Sponsored by Manchester Convention Bureau, part of Marketing Manchester, it will feature live music, Manchester-themed cocktails, and interactive experiences including real-time cooking stations and a ‘sip & paint’ Manchester-themed mural in collaboration with Paintillio. Alongside opportunities to meet exhibitors and peers from across the global events community, attendees will be able to take advantage of a range of exciting networking opportunities throughout the show. A full schedule of networking events, including a 7am running tour with Go! The Meetings Show app – attendees’ personal event companion A go-to tool for planning, navigating and getting the very best out of the show, The Meetings Show app will launch later this week. Designed to help attendees keep everything in one place so they can focus on what really matters – meeting the right people, discovering new ideas and making meaningful connections 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.” There are various ways to register to attend The Meetings Show, which will be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show.
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