How?By applying for the hosted buyer programme – registrations will open again next year. Please note, hosted buyer registration is now closed. 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 Riverside East, HMS Belfast, Museum of London Docklands and Puttshack, a bespoke educational experience, and the opportunity to attend a UK or European fam trip. |
WHAT DO OUR HOSTED BUYER ATTENDEES HAVE TO SAY?
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 Insight Forum (an afternoon of networking and education designed for senior meetings and event organisers) on Tuesday 24 June 2025
- Attendance at the official welcome reception on Tuesday 24 June 2025
- 2 days at The Meetings Show
- 16 Appointments across the two exhibition days (just 20 minutes each)
-
2 nights’ accommodation on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June 2025, 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 24 June 2025
- 2 days at The Meetings Show
- 16 Appointments across the two exhibition days (just 20 minutes each)
- 2 nights’ accommodation on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June 2025, unless you are based in London
- Travel provided on request (UK and Europe only)
HOSTED BUYER INSIGHT FORUM
Taking place on Tuesday 24 June 2025, the Hosted Buyer Insight Forum is 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.
This year, attendees started their day with "What's On The Wellness Menu?", where they explored various wellbeing practices during lunch. They joined "Trends: Predictions vs Reality" to analyse recent trends in technology, initiatives, and content, and compared them to the reality of the event industry. Learnt how to measure and improve sustainability in their events in "Powered By isla - Carbon Instinct - Learning to spot the champagnes and the wines in sustainability". Finally, dove into the practical applications of AI in event management in "The Great TMS Hackathon - AI In Practice", and more!
THE WELCOME RECEPTION
Our highly anticipated welcome reception takes place the night before the show, on Tuesday 24 June 2025. It's the perfect opportunity for you to network with 200 fellow meetings and event planners ahead of two jam-packed days at the show. We'll even transfer you to and from the venue, so the only thing you'll need to focus on is enjoying yourself.
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 – registration will open next year. Exclusive invitations will be sent to all eligible hosted buyers and you must RSVP to secure a place.
At the 2024 welcome reception, we celebrated the legacy of the 2012 London Olympics at the newly launched Riverside East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, featuring stunning rooftop views and a fresh dining experience by Peppermint Events. So hopefully that gives you a little taster of what to expect next year!
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 (registration opens next year) 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, Q Hotels and France all delivered fam trips in 2024, watch this space to see who joins us next year!
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).
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
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