Martin Rhodes MP to officially open The Meetings Show

Martin Rhodes MP, Chair of The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events and Labour MP for Glasgow, will officially open The Meetings Show.

Taking place at Excel London on 24-25 June 2026, the UK’s premier event for meetings, incentives, conferences and events professionals will bring together nearly 6,000 people for two days of fresh ideas and valuable connections. 

Martin Rhodes MP will cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the show on the morning of 24 June. He will then tour the show floor meeting and engaging with buyers and exhibitors about the challenges and opportunities shaping the events sector today.

“I am very much looking forward to attending The Meetings Show this year, and to officially opening the event as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events,” said Martin Rhodes MP. “As one of the UK’s leading gatherings for the meetings and events industry, it brings together the people, ideas and connections that drive the sector forward. I’m looking forward to meeting some of those at the heart of this important industry, and to hearing first-hand about the opportunities to further grow our world leading event economy.”

The Meetings Show has a strong tradition of welcoming prominent figures from politics and the events industry to mark its official opening. Previous attendees include Nigel Huddleston MP, who served as Minister of Tourism at the time of his appearance and is now Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and James Heappey, former Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events. Martin Rhodes joins this distinguished list as the show continues to grow in scale and influence.

Now in its 14th year, The Meetings Show has established itself as a must-attend for event professionals across the UK and beyond. This year’s edition will see more than 550 exhibitors and over 80 international destinations represented under one roof, giving attendees unparalleled access to venues, hotels, destinations and services from across the globe.

Big-name brands including Meliá Hotels International, Marriott International, Cvent, Rwanda Convention Bureau and VisitBritain will be in attendance, alongside a host of new exhibitors including SAX Paris by LXR Hotels & Resorts, Aries Group, Hotel Ripa Roma, Kalimera Kriti Hotels and Resort Village, Uniworld Cruises, Royal Maritime Hotels, Dakota Hotels, 1Hotels and more, offering visitors access to both trusted names and fresh thinking.

This year’s newly redesigned education programme spans 63 sessions across three stages, featuring a dynamic mix of panels, presentations, workshops and Q&As. Headline keynote speakers include Emma Henderson MBE - one of fewer than 500 female airline captains in the world until September 2020 and John Vincent MBE, co-founder and former CEO of LEON, who will deliver a candid session titled ‘From LEON to Live Events: Building Brands People Love’.

The Meetings Show is home to the UK’s largest hosted buyer programme, offering pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments with more than 550 UK and international hotels, venues and destinations. Event professionals responsible for organising incentives, meetings, conferences and events across the UK and Europe are invited to apply. Hosted buyers confirmed so far include representatives from Deloitte, AbbVie, Principal Global Events, Bray Leino Events and First Event.

Alternatively, buyers can choose to attend as visitor buyers, offering greater flexibility to explore the show at their own pace without the commitment of a pre-scheduled appointment diary. Visitor buyers can take advantage of the extensive education programme, network organically with exhibitors and peers, discover new destinations and suppliers, and tailor their time onsite around their own priorities and interests, making it an ideal option for those seeking inspiration, market insight and valuable industry connections.

Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director of Northstar Travel Group, said: “We're delighted to have Martin Rhodes MP officially open The Meetings Show this year. It's a fantastic way to kick off what will be two incredible days for the events industry, and we look forward to welcoming him onto the show floor.”

There are various ways to register to attend The Meetings Show 2026, which will be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show.  To find out more about the buyer, hosted buyer and visitor registration options, please sign up here.