MICE professionals walk the talk in attending in-person events

The upcoming Meetings Show in UK anticipates double the turnout for its 2021 edition.

The Meetings Show's Event director Jack Marczewski shared this year's event will have a stronger focus on education.
The Meetings Show's Event director Jack Marczewski shared this year's event will have a stronger focus on education. Photo Credit: The Meetings Show

The Meetings Show celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and is ready to welcome visitors from Asia Pacific once again

The Meetings Show, taking place at ExCel London on 29-30 June, is aiming to be double the size of the 2021 event, which featured live and hybrid elements.

“What is really exciting is the return of the international visitors and suppliers who were unable to make it last year for obvious reasons,” says Jack Marczewski, the show’s event director. “We haven’t been able to hold fam trips for hosted buyers for the past two years due to numerous restrictions, so it’s exciting to see these return in 2022 too. We have fam trips to Cardiff and Bristol and Bath organised so far, and more are expected to be confirmed soon.”

Marczewski adds that there will be special celebrations to mark the tenth edition of the show, which will be revealed nearer the time, while this year’s event will have a stronger focus on education.

“There has been so much work from our exhibitors over the last two years in developing and futureproofing their product offerings, and we will certainly be shining a light on all this innovation,” he says.

According to Marczewski, agencies make up over 60% of its visitor base and he says the likes of CWT, BCD Meetings and Events and MCI will all be in attendance.

Singapore Tourism Board will be exhibiting again this year and says the event is one of the most highly-regarded shows in the UK MICE calendar.

“As well as the opportunity to highlight Singapore to the thousands of event professionals who attend, the show’s hosted buyer programme presents a great opportunity to gather quality leads,” says Michael Rodriguez, area director, Northern & Southwestern Europe at Singapore Tourism Board.

Korea Tourism Organisation has attended in the past and will also be there this year. It said the show provides an opportunity for KTO to network and meet in-person with buyers from around the world, connecting with potential business for the Korean MICE industry.

The Tourism Promotions Board in the Philippines took part in 2019 but has chosen not to exhibit this year.

“We are not participating as we are limiting our presence at shows to our short-haul markets, save for IMEX Frankfurt, as we have been participating in this show for quite some time now,” says Arnold T. Gonzales, acting head in the MICE Department. “We would like to test the waters in joining face-to-face shows [again] via IMEX.”