Following news of The Meetings Show’s rise in hosted buyer numbers and 10,000 pre-scheduled appointments, the show has closed 27% up on overall (unaudited) visitor numbers*.
The Meetings Show welcomed 3,154 unique visitors to the event from 8-10 July, 2014. This visitor figure includes 721 hosted buyers and 2,433 trade visitors. Including exhibitors, 4,626 meetings industry professionals attended the show.
"The Meetings Show is the place for the industry to meet. Comments from exhibitors and visitors alike clearly confirm that the event is a success and the UK’s leading place for meetings professionals to gather," said Steve Knight, The Meetings Show’s event director.
The show, which was physically 20% bigger than the inaugural edition in 2013, welcomed exhibitors and industry leaders from around the world. They came together to make The Meetings Show a week long networking and business event, and applauded the extremely high quality buyers.
Stuart Mitchell, commercial director, Perception Sales and Marketing: "This is quite simply the best show we have attended in the last five years. The sheer quantity and quality of meetings has been incredible, footfall has been positive and there is a genuine interest in all the hotels and venues we represent. Above all else, our stand partners have been really happy, the show has achieved a significant return on our investment and we will be returning next year."
Rachel Mcguickin, director of business tourism, Visit Belfast: "Visit Belfast decided to significantly increase our presence at The Meetings Show 2014. Our stand, which included half a dozen partners was packed throughout the event. We saw a wide variety of hosted buyers and walk on visitors, all of which were qualified and interested in our offering. In addition to those seeking to learn about Belfast, many visitors had specific business to place, including RFPs and we expect a significant return on our investment in what is a vital event for the UK market. Moving forward, The Meetings Show will be a core part of our marketing plan as it has already become the place for our buyers to gather and meet."
Edward Copperman, director of product development, The Travel Movement Limited: "Overall the quality of the show has been incredible, particularly the exhibitors and stand staff - they clearly want to do business. In contrast to other shows I have attended there is a far greater depth of knowledge, a desire to talk and develop relationships for all involved. The accommodation, transport and logistics has also exceeded my expectations and I look forward to progressing the opportunities I have discovered over the last three days."
Charlie Taylor, consultant director of communications, Dubai Convention and Events Bureau: "Both Dubai Convention Bureau and our exhibiting partners, particularly the incentive focused DMCs, have had a successful exhibition. The quality of the hosted buyers has been high with a focus on corporates and agencies."
Nicola Chapman, director of sales - agency, Hilton Worldwide: "The quality of the buyers at The Meetings Show has been excellent. In particular we have seen a growth in the UK attendees, which is our focus for the show and led to some strong enquiries which we are certain will convert over the coming weeks and months."
*Includes: visitors, press and hosted buyers, but excludes exhibitors.
The next edition of the show will be held at Olympia London from 7-9 July 2015.
