The Meetings Show UK has focused on industry knowledge and expertise in its choice of speakers for its tailored education programme, including keynotes, presentations and panel debates, at the inaugural show next month.

Following research led by The Meetings Show UK’s Education Panel, industry leading speakers are offering in-depth sessions on topics and themes of genuine relevance to both the demand and supply sides of the meetings industry.

• Keynote 1 - Tuesday 9 July, 2013 (0845-0945): A Tale of Two Leadership Styles - Paul Bridle: Following 24 years of researching effective organisations and the people that lead them, Paul Bridle will use this keynote to show that there are many styles of leadership but there are two that make great change or accomplish great things. He will explain what it means to be a modern leader and how this may impact the meetings and events industry.
• Keynote Panel Debate 1 - Tuesday 9 July, 2013 (1250-1345): Meet and Grill the Editors: Facilitated by Patrick Delaney, MCI Group Vice President - Industry Relations; leading editors from across the world will explore how the industry can effectively work with the media both in print and on line. Panellists include: Paul Colston, Managing Editor, Conference News and CMW; Roger Kellerman, Meetings International; Martin Lewis, Managing Editor of M&IT Magazine; and Marcel Vissers, Editor of Headquarters and MIM Magazines.
• Keynote 2 - Wednesday 10 July, 2013 (0845-0945): Is Meeting Architecture the same as Meeting Design? - Maarten Vanneste: Is Meeting Architecture a task, a profession or a discipline? Maarten Vanneste, who coined the term in his 2008 book, believes it is the latter. This keynote explores why we can’t continue without change and innovation, why the meetings industry needs to extend its reach beyond hospitality, and why you need to be involved.
• Keynote Panel Debate 2 – Thursday 11 July, 2013 (0845-0945): Building successful event agencies: Agency entrepreneurs (large and boutique) discuss the challenges of setting up, leading and running a business in our ever changing market. Facilitated by Padraic Gilligan, MCI Group Vice President - Industry Relations; panellists include: Jeremy Garbett, Founding Director Deeper Blue LTD; Peter Franks, CEO, TFI Group Global; Jacqui Kavanagh, Managing Director, Trinity Conferences; Douglas O'Neill, Managing Director, Inntel; Chris Parnham, Managing Director, Absolute Corporate Events.

Three of these high impact sessions are scheduled to take place from 08.45 to 09.45 in The Auditorium at the Olympia, Conference Centre London, on the three days of The Meetings Show UK, allowing both visitors and exhibitors to benefit from the knowledge and learning on offer.

The Meetings Show UK, Event Director, Steve Knight said: “Our research clearly showed that the meetings industry was more interested in industry experts with integrity and years of experience in the sector rather than celebrities with little or no links to meetings. Leadership, Meetings Architecture, Media Relations and Entrepreneurship were repeatedly brought up as critically important issues where more learning was needed. These key sessions respond directly to those needs as does the rest of the education, which includes more than 50 Meet The Expert sessions covering a range of subjects such as PR, technology, compliance and sustainability.”

“Our research also highlighted the fact that all too often exhibitors and visitors miss out on keynote learning opportunities due to meetings and scheduling conflicts. By holding these key sessions before the show opens, we are ensuring everyone in attendance benefits from the expertise we have on offer – it is after all a show created for the industry as a whole – which includes both meeting planners and suppliers. Our complimentary transport system from official buyer hotels is timed to ensure hosted buyers and exhibitors staying at these hotels can benefit from complimentary travel to attend these high impact sessions”

Education programme

The education programme is a key part of The Meetings Show UK’s offering, providing learning opportunities to attendees from across the industry, including Hosted Buyers, amongst who research was conducted to ensure genuinely useful and targeted content. Hosted buyer diaries offer full access to the education programme, allowing attendees to schedule appointments around their learning objectives.

Qualified Hosted Buyers will have the opportunity to schedule meetings with organisations relevant to their business, whilst benefiting from a personalised and funded travel experience; complimentary bed and breakfast at a 4/5*hotel; transportation to Olympia from host hotels and networking venues; as well as a choice of Hosted Buyer lounges complete with Wi-Fi. Buyers can apply individually or as part of a group brought together by the show’s partners and exhibitors.

The Meetings Show UK is a major new event for the UK meetings industry, launched by Centaur Exhibitions and taking place 9-11 July 2013 at Olympia, London. Organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals it is focused around a large exhibition, unrivalled networking opportunities and professional education. The show will feature destinations from over 50 countries across 6 continents, venues, hotel groups, DMCs and key providers of meetings’ products and services.

Whilst trade visitors are able to register directly to attend The Meetings Show UK, Hosted Buyers need to apply via www.themeetingsshow.com and be individually qualified as genuine buyers.

The Meetings Show UK's inaugural event will take place during week commencing 8th July, 2013 at Olympia, London. A full list of exhibitors is available at http://www.themeetingsshow.com/en/visit/exhibitorlist.aspx