Hosted buyers attending the live show for either one- or two-days benefit from a dedicated appointment diary to book pre-scheduled meetings with exhibitors, as well as support with travel, accommodation and a whole host of other benefits, such as access to the show’s comprehensive education programme. They will also be invited to a pre-show welcome reception on the evening of 29 September.
Buyers unable to travel to the show due to COVID-19 restrictions will be offered the premium virtual buyer option for the hybrid event.
As with hosted buyers attending the live event, premium virtual buyers will have access to the online diary and appointment booking tools to enable them to pre-schedule meetings with exhibitors of their choice. They can also access exclusive insightful virtual content, streamed education sessions from the live show and instant messaging functions to connect with their peers.
All hosted buyers at The Meetings Show, including associations, agencies, PCOs, corporates, incentive houses, venue-finding agencies and charities, are pre-qualified to participate based on the number and scale of events organised, budgets held and decision-making power.
During the last in-person show in 2019, hosted buyers attended an average of 13 appointments, and more than half were at senior management level or above within their businesses.
Many buyers, who have attended in the past, already have their sights set firmly on this year’s show. Kim Campbell, the owner of Creative Force – Marketing & Events Company, said: “Having worked on and attended numerous virtual trade shows in the past 15 months, I am really looking forward to having some face-to-face time with suppliers and The Meeting Show is the place to do it. It is always worth going as a hosted buyer as they get everything organised and ready for you to set your appointments.”
Chris Walmsley, director of Connections Travel, said: “The Meeting Show has always provided me with exactly what I want – face-to-face meetings with suppliers that matter most to me and those with who I need to build relationships. Hotels, venues and destinations have constantly evolving environments, infrastructure and teams of people that are very important to me once I am being followed by my client and their delegates or achievers. Being hosted is a dream – trains and tubes from your local station to your hotel, and then luxury coach transfers in and out of the hotel to the show for breakfast before starting work – what’s not to like!”
Registration for The Meetings Show’s 2021 hosted buyer programme is open from today (29 June). To apply, visit https://www.themeetingsshow.com/register.