EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Go! Running Tours is delighted to invite The Meetings Show 2026 attendees to join their morning running and brisk walking tours. Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Time: 7:00 am Starting Point: At the Cust ...

AI is no longer a future topic—it’s already changing who gets hired, how decisions are made, and what we value as an industry. The question is: are we in control, or just keeping up? The meetings and events industry is at a turning point and this is where the real conversation happens. The Reckoning returns as the industry’s live, unfiltered debate, bringing together leaders, disruptors and emerging voices to challenge what’s really happening beneath the surface. Across three stages, a series of interconnected sessions will tackle the forces reshaping our industry right now through one overarching lens: AI and its impact on how we work, create and connect. Join James Lancaster as this session confronts the uncomfortable realities of AI ethics, authenticity and accountability before trust becomes the industry’s biggest casualty.

AI is no longer a future topic, it is already changing who gets hired, how decisions are made, and what we value as an industry. The question is: are we in control, or just keeping up? The meetings and events industry is at a turning point and this is where the real conversation happens. The Reckoning returns as the industry’s live, unfiltered debate, bringing together leaders, disruptors and emerging voices to challenge what’s really happening beneath the surface. Across three stages, a series of interconnected sessions will tackle the forces reshaping our industry right now through one overarching lens: AI and its impact on how we work, create and connect. Join Paul Harvey to debate whether the industry is adapting responsibly or sleepwalking into a talent crisis of its own making.

AI is no longer a future topic, it is already changing who gets hired, how decisions are made, and what we value as an industry. The question is: are we in control, or just keeping up? The meetings and events industry is at a turning point and this is where the real conversation happens. The Reckoning returns as the industry’s live, unfiltered debate, bringing together leaders, disruptors and emerging voices to challenge what’s really happening beneath the surface. Across three stages, a series of interconnected sessions will tackle the forces reshaping our industry right now through one overarching lens: AI and its impact on how we work, create and connect. Join Paula Rowntree for a session where you will discuss how human insight and artificial intelligence can collaborate to create smarter, more immersive and more meaningful events for the future without losing the humanity at the heart of our industry.

*Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with EventWell and will take place at their stand.

Explore how smart, scalable solutions can streamline check-ins, manage visitor flow, and capture meaningful data. Whether you're running the show or manning a booth, discover practical ways to reduce ...

AI agents are moving beyond hype to deliver real operational value. This session shows how automation can actively run event workflows—from delegate communications to reporting—cutting manual work, im ...

Networking is often promoted as the highlight of an event, yet for many neurodivergent attendees it can feel overwhelming, exclusionary, or inaccessible. This session explores how event professionals ...

From magic-promise demos to production-ready features, AI in the event industry deserves a straight conversation. Join idloom at the Mesa stand to explore how we are using AI right now, what we have l ...

Speaker Gabby Austin-Brown, Diversity Alliance *Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with The Meetings Industry Associ ...

Attracting talent is only the beginning. How do we develop, retain and inspire those already in the industry? This session explores education, training, career development, company culture, employee a ...

*Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with EventWell and will take place at their stand.

Most event content goes unused - but AI can change that. Discover how AI-powered content intelligence platforms turn keynotes, panels, and audience engagement into real-time business insights. Learn t ...

In this candid interview, John Vincent MBE, co-founder of LEON, shares what it takes to build brands rooted in purpose during uncertain times.

Gold/Silver/Bronze tiers are dead. Stop selling space; start selling outcomes. This session provides a toolkit to reverse-engineer pricing based on "Lead Value" and "Sponsor Routes to Market", alignin ...

Why do attendees disengage even at well-produced events? The issue often isn't content — it's agenda design. Drawing on original research, this session explores how structure, pacing, and intentional ...

Discover how to command the room and earn real influence. Richard shares three essential techniques top consultants use: crafting a clear strategy, asking powerful questions, and maintaining control. ...

Speakers: Louise Ritchie, Selling Savvy (Facilitator); Charlotte Lileyman, Clarity *Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnersh ...

In this candid interview, John Vincent MBE, co-founder of LEON, shares what it takes to build brands rooted in purpose during uncertain times.

When plans change, impact matters. In this fast-paced, energising session, Nigel Risner will explore what it takes to communicate with influence, build trust quickly, and bring out the best in the peo ...

In an era of growing choice and rising expectations, delivering events that truly land needs more than great logistics. We will explore how personalisation can be used as a powerful tool to create mea ...

*Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with EventWell and will take place at their stand.

MESA (Meetings and Events Support Association) is a collaborative network of event and technology suppliers dedicated to the meetings industry. Together, we create innovative solutions tailored to ove ...

The UK Events Industry serves diverse audiences, but does it truly reflect the communities it engages? This discussion explores barriers to entry, representation, accessibility and progression, asking ...

This is mentoring, Meetings Show style interactive, energetic and open to all event professionals.

Benchmarks and best practices on how successful companies are using incentive travel to influence performance, shape culture, strengthen partnerships, and retain top talent. Focusing on IRF research, ...

We surveyed 500+ event professionals about their AI experiences: what they've tried, what failed, what succeeded, and what they're afraid to admit. The results reveal a stark gap between vendor promis ...

It’s said the best way to Create the Future You Want is to build it. AI doomsters predict the end of work as we know it, but your networking prowess will ensure your future is bright and the one other ...

*Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with EventWell and will take place at their stand.

This is mentoring, Meetings Show style! This opportunity is for event professionals at any stage of their career to gain expert advice, meet industry leaders and become part of a wider mentoring community.

What to Expect at Speed Mentoring?

There are limited spaces for attendees to have one 20-minute speed mentoring with a seasoned senior professional from the events and hospitality industry. The 20-minute session will help to:

• Define a challenge or goal: Get clear on what you need to achieve.
• Receive expert advice: Benefit from the knowledge and experience of your mentors.
• Create an action plan: Leave the event with a concrete plan to make your goals a reality.

Mentoring spaces are limited and those wanting to secure a 20-minute mentoring session, please come to the first session at 12:40.

Speaker: Shonali Devereaux, Chief Executive, Meetings Industry Association *Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with ...

When global events originate in one market, they’re often designed for immediate impact — but not always for global scalability. What works in the UK may not translate seamlessly across regions with d ...

Event professionals are operating under unprecedented pressure to deliver meaningful results with shrinking budgets, rising attendee expectations, and increasing duty-of-care responsibilities. Mental ...

Learn the principles of leadership and influence in a world of polycrisis and change—from an experienced storyteller who has developed leadership training for the British Army and conducted strategic ...

Accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have; it is an expectation. But is the events industry genuinely leading the way or still playing catch-up? This session explores best practice, innovation and liv ...

*Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with EventWell and will take place at their stand.

As audiences shift from observers to co-creators, event pros must pivot from ROI to ROE, Return on Engagement. INVNT's AI/XR activations for brands like Xero, ABB, and PepsiCo show how Emotion, Tech & ...

A practical, real-world session showing how sustainability became a revenue driver and resilience strategy at The Wellbeing Farm - with frameworks and examples events professionals can use to differen ...

What does the world of digital marketing look like in the next 5 years? And how do you create ROI for your event or conference in an fast-moving, ever changing marketing world? Engagement and attention are becoming harder to acquire, so how do you create successful campaigns despite these challenges? In this session, George will explore with you how digital campaigns can be optimised for ROI - using both social media and hyperlocal advertising. 

*Please Note: This session is not a part of The Meetings Show Education Programme, it be being conducted in partnership with EventWell and will take place at their stand.

Behind the programme: How TMS shapes the future of events  - How does The Meetings Show decide what the industry needs to learn about next?

Join The Meeting Room podcast live from the show floor as we sit down with Samme Allen, Knowledge Director, to explore the trends, challenges and opportunities that have shaped this year's programme. From AI and sustainability to attendee expectations, talent and event design, we'll uncover the conversations driving the future of meetings and events. Expect fresh insights, audience questions and a look ahead at what's next for the industry as we bring the show to a close.

 

 

After a high-energy few days of meetings, ideas and constant connection, this closing session offers something intentionally different.The Decompression Session is a guided moment to pause, reset and ground yourself before heading back into travel, inboxes and everyday demands.