Hosted buyers and exhibitors attending The Meetings Show UK, an inaugural event taking place at Olympia, London until July 11, have welcomed the show as a place to make connections and conduct business.
“I’ve had back-to-back meetings. I’ve met lots of really good exhibitors. Sometimes the most interesting people are those you don’t intend to meet, so I put a few wild cards in there as well just to mix it up a bit, and that’s been really good,” said Steve Millar, membership director, PRCA.
Over the three days of the show, more than 6,500 pre-scheduled appointments will be conducted, with drop-in meetings taking place between hosted buyers, exhibitors and visitors.
“Meetings Show UK’s hosted buyer program allowed me to focus on what matters — networking and learning — rather than the hassles of travel and logistics. The show’s balance of U.K. and international exhibitors allows me to meet key people in one place at one time,” said Deborah Gensler, managing director, Compass Group. “The exhibitors are high quality, professional and friendly, and they take the time to understand my needs and provide the right information. I will be returning in 2014.”
The Meetings Show UK featured more than 190 separate education sessions, an Association Conference at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, bespoke corporate, agency, pharmaceutical, healthcare and technology mini conferences, industry focused keynotes, the launch of the full U.K. Economic Impact Study and a host of networking opportunities.
“The quality of the buyers has been fantastic. We have had a range of both U.K. and international buyers on the stand, many with little prior experience of Japan but a genuine interest to place business in the near future. One in particular was an association looking to place a large event in the Far East in 2021. Our presence here cemented the relationship and believe we will be their preferred choice,” said Chad Shiver, conventions manager, Japan National Tourism Organisation.
