The Meetings Show will open next month with a brand new Pre-Show Conference, as an extension of the show’s existing education programme, which offers more than 45 hours of free education across two days.
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Open exclusively to buyers within the hosted programme, the half-day Pre-Show Conference will take place at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel on Tuesday 26 June.
The afternoon will kick-off with an opening keynote speech from digital veteran and adviser to McKinsey and IBM John Shaw, followed by six educational sessions under dedicated agency, association and corporate streams.
Content for association planners, AMCs and PCOs will look towards the future, exploring innovation in events and new technology in ‘Planning for 2030 – Where Will We Be?’, while the second session, ‘Exploring Success Stories’ looks at case studies of some of the most highly-rated association events presented by Alessandro Cortese, CEO of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO).
In-house corporate buyers can find out how to increase engagement at events in a session entitled ‘It's All About Engagement’, while ‘Implementing Meetings Design’ will outline how meeting structure can ensure events are full of innovation.
Finally, a lively and interactive session for agencies will discuss challenges and solutions to ‘What Keeps You Awake at Night?’.
The three dedicated streams will continue alongside general sessions open to all throughout the two-day show at Olympia London on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 June.
These sessions will include an unmissable talk from Steve Gaskin at Right Angle Corporate on the threats European terrorism presents to the meetings industry, and a keynote address from Andrew Grill, global managing partner of IBM Social Consulting, that will offer actionable insights into digital disruption.
Other topics featuring on the education programme, which has been developed following extensive research and consultation and presents a wide range of speakers new to The Meetings Show, include a celebration of the Year of the Woman, latest innovations in meeting technology, marketing strategy and top tips for personal and professional development.
The Meetings Show will welcome more than 2,000 visitors and over 700 exhibitors.
By Mike Fletcher