Over the course of two days, attendees at The Meetings Show gathered to engage in discussions, share insight, and sing their heart out.
The Meetings Show 2024 took place last week with thousands of event
professionals and industry specialists gathering at ExCeL London to
commence two days of connection, learning and networking.
Sessions got off to a strong start with Lucy Eden, founder of Be in
Your Element. Leading the session 9 To Thrive: Dolly Parton's Guide To
Sustainably Rocking Events And Meetings, crowds came 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 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 bureaus and DMCs to
hotels and conference centres – from the UK and around the globe.
New exhibitors included ProColombia, STAR Your World – which was
joined by six DMC partners – VisitDetroit, Hyatt Hotels, and Radisson
Hotel Group.
The Meetings Show also debuted the world’s first zero waste stand
made from event waste carpet, which came from a collaboration between
creator Paradigm and partners isla, The Bulb, Informa and The Meetings
Show.
The mia also unveiled its new identity, with the new branding
designed to celebrate collaboration, networking, and fostering positive
relationships, reflecting the core values and objectives of the mia in
supporting and bringing people together.
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.”
Source: M&IT