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How?By applying for the hosted buyer programme. Registration for 2026 will open soon - register your interest now to be the first to know when it does. Who?If you're a UK or European decision-maker responsible for organising meetings and events, applying to be a hosted buyer will ensure you maximise your time at the show. Please note that all applications will be reviewed according to: the size and frequency of your events, your level of purchasing/decision-making authority, and the geographic locations of your events. |
GET THE VIP TREATMENT
Why?You’ll receive a dedicated diary to use to arrange meetings with exhibitors from all over the world, putting the power in your hands and allowing you to decide who you want to meet with. Plus, a number of other complimentary benefits including travel and accommodation, exclusive networking events, which have previously included evening receptions at Horizon 22, Riverside East, HMS Belfast, Museum of London Docklands and Puttshack, a bespoke educational experience, and the opportunity to apply to attend a UK or European fam trip. |
WHAT DO OUR HOSTED BUYER ATTENDEES HAVE TO SAY?
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“What a phenomenal time we had connecting with amazing venues, travel and concierge suppliers, meeting new prospective clients from across the globe, and so much more! The facilitation and execution of the event made all the difference to every single person who attended over the 2 days. The follow-ups have begun today… and this is where the real magic begins!”
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“The Meetings Show exceeded my expectations all round. Excellent organisation building up to it, great communication online. The app at the event worked well. The booking of appointments as a buyer is slick. The quality of stands and exhibitors is better than I expected. Very good educational programme. I'd definitely attend again.”
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“The Meetings Show is a really worthwhile day out for any events professional. It's a great place to learn of new venues and freshen your existing ideas as well as being the perfect opportunity to meet virtual contacts face to face.”
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“A great chance to meet thousands of like minded individuals and exhibitors. A real buzz and an exciting but full on couple of days designed to cover all your event needs. You might even be lucky enough to be hosted on a yacht hotel like I was! A proper treat - I'll be back for more next year!”
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“The Meetings Show offers a great opportunity to grow global connections in the events industry while also giving inspirational and educational sessions to learn from! It is the show I would not miss and looking forward to coming back every year.”
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“Attending The Meetings Show was an incredibly valuable experience. It offered the perfect platform to connect with industry peers, discover innovative ideas and explore new solutions that will shape the future of events. The energy, insight, and opportunities for meaningful conversations made it a standout event in the calendar.”
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“Attending as a hosted buyer was a truly beneficial experience. The event brought together a wide range of useful and relevant exhibitors, making it an excellent opportunity to discover new venues, services and ideas. The support provided to hosted buyers was clear, well-organised and delivered to a very high standard. It’s always a pleasure to attend, and it remains a key date in my calendar each year.”
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“Investing time in attending The Meetings Show is investing in the growth of your business by meeting new suppliers and learning about the latest trends in our industry. The Meetings Show is a playground for networking and collaboration for grown ups.”
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“It was a pleasure connecting with many new, supportive, and inspiring people! The venue and service were excellent, and the content was high-quality and immediately applicable in my work. I also appreciated the additional activities that helped to build connections with professionals in the industry. A valuable and well-organised event!”
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“The Meetings Show was so much more than I expected, I came away genuinely inspired. I made some fantastic contacts, discovered brilliant venue options, and found the education sessions incredibly useful. The sessions on AI in particular really stood out, very useful and immediately relevant to my work. I’ll definitely be back next year.”
FIND THE ATTENDANCE OPTION THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
Whether you're based in the UK or Europe, we offer a number of attendance options, so you can pick the one that suits you and your schedule best.
Please note: the 3 days, 2 days & welcome reception, and 2 days attendance options are available to all hosted buyers and the 1 day attendance option is available to UK based buyers only.
3 DAYS
- Attendance at The Hosted Buyer Masterclasses (an afternoon of networking and education designed for hosted buyers) on Tuesday 23 June 2026
- Attendance at the official welcome reception on Tuesday 23 June 2026
- 2 days at The Meetings Show
- 16 Appointments across the two exhibition days (just 20 minutes each)
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2 nights’ accommodation on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 June 2026, unless you are based in London
- Travel provided on request (UK and Europe only)
2 DAYS & WELCOME RECEPTION
- Attendance at the official welcome reception on Tuesday 23 June 2026
- 2 days at The Meetings Show
- 16 Appointments across the two exhibition days (just 20 minutes each)
- 2 nights’ accommodation on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 June 2026, unless you are based in London
- Travel provided on request (UK and Europe only)
THE HOSTED BUYER MASTERCLASSES
Taking place on Tuesday 23 June 2026, The Hosted Buyer Masterclasses are a bespoke education programme, designed exclusively for hosted buyers. This unique opportunity allows you to deep dive into market trends and buyer strategies, connect with your peers, and gain industry insights that are second to none.
In 2025, as part of the programme, attendees:
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Discovered how to use humour in business with Emmy-winning comedy writer Beth Sherman
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Did a deep dive into key topics like AI, creative marketing, and leadership strategies
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Left the day feeling energised in a choose-your-own-adventure style session delivered by corporate wellness expert Sarah Hunt
THE WELCOME RECEPTION
Our highly anticipated welcome reception* takes place the night before the show, on Tuesday 23 June 2026, and is the perfect opportunity for hosted buyers to network with 200 fellow meetings and event planners ahead of two jam-packed days.
The 2025 reception took place at Horizon 22, and was sponsored by Manchester Convention Bureau, part of Marketing Manchester. 254 metres above London, Hosted Buyers attended a Manchester-themed celebration, enjoyed live entertainment from Dr. Cheddar Gorgeous, RuPaul’s Drag Race finalist, and savoured Manchester’s finest dishes like Corned Beef Hash and Eccles Cakes.
*Please note: Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The welcome reception is only available to hosted buyers that select the 3 day attendance option or the 2 days & welcome reception option when registering. Exclusive invitations will be sent to all eligible hosted buyers and you must RSVP to secure a place.
FAM TRIPS
We offer all hosted buyers the opportunity to attend one of our pre or post-event fam trips organised by our exhibiting destination partners. You can express interest in one of the tours when applying to be a hosted buyer and the host destination will then select the final group of attendees from among the applicants.
Please note: If your application to join a fam trip is unsuccessful, you will not be able to apply for another one. The fam trip provider makes the final decision as to who can attend.
Spain, Bristol and Bath, and Q Hotels all offered fam trips in 2025.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
TRAVEL
Buyers based outside the Greater London area are eligible for travel assistance to and from The Meetings Show. We work with a TMC who will contact buyers directly to arrange this. For UK based buyers, this will be a standard class rail ticket. For overseas buyers, this will be return economy flights from Europe or standard class Eurostar tickets.
ACCOMMODATION
Buyers who have requested accommodation assistance during the application process will be allocated a room in one of our partner hotels. If attending as part of a hosted buyer group, where possible, group members will be placed in the same hotel.
TRANSFERS
Transfers will be available from the relevant airports direct to The Meetings Show. This could be by limo, coach or for London Heathrow it will be a rail ticket on the Elizabeth Line, which now runs directly from Heathrow to Custom House (Excel London).
A London Underground travel pass is included with train tickets to allow buyers to make their own way to The Meetings Show via public transport.
There are transfers to all major London airports after the show closes on Thursday afternoon. Your specific transfer arrangements will be emailed to you the week prior to The Meetings Show. Any travel taken outside of the show dates will not be eligible for transfers
GOT A QUESTION FOR US?
GRAHAM ANGUS
FELICIA SOFTLEY
DELLA VERNETTE
LIZA NEVROVA
SARAH ALDRIDGE
