Business events activities
Oh Me Oh My
Section 1
Across the year, the business events team organise activities for you to meet and network with international event buyers who book meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
This work is supported by the team in promoting Britain and our three nations to event buyers across global territories, seeking new business enquiries and opportunities.
Learn more about our business events nation partners:
Business events activities in 2024
IMEX Frankfurt 2024
In May 2024 the MeetEngland team will attend this leading business events trade show on the official MeetEngland stand, taking part in scheduled appointments and networking opportunities with global event planners and associations.
IMEX America 2024
The MeetEngland team will be joined by English stand partners on the official MeetEngland stand, taking part in scheduled appointments and networking opportunities with global event planners and associations at this leading business events trade show in Las Vegas.
IBTM World 2024
In November 2024 the MeetEngland team will be on stand at this leading events trade show in Barcelona, taking part in scheduled appointments and networking opportunities with global event planners and associations.
VisitBritain Association Conference
In February 2024 we hosted an educational conference and workshop in Edinburgh, welcoming British nation and city convention bureaus alongside international associations and professional congress organisers.
North America East Coast Trade Mission
In March 2024 we attended events and sales calls in New York City, Washington DC and area with meeting and incentive planners and associations who book international events. Mission designated for city convention bureaus only.
Germany Trade Mission
From 2-4 July 2024, MeetEngland will host a trade mission across three German cities to meet meeting and incentive planners who book international events. Mission designated for city convention bureaus only.
Meet us at industry events
PCMA Convening Leaders
Featuring business events leaders and industry trailblazers, this event features learning, networking and inspiration. Takes place in January 2024 – in San Diego, USA.
ICCA UK and Ireland Chapter Conference
This is the annual gathering for members of the UK and Ireland chapter of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Takes place in February 2024 – in Belfast, NI.
The Meetings Show
We connect with MICE suppliers and buyers from across the UK and internationally, to generate valuable new leads and exposure. Takes place from 19-20 June 2024 – in London, UK.
PCMA EMEA
This three-day event unites the global business events industry for networking and keynote speeches. Takes place from Sept 30 - Oct 2 2024 in Barcelona Spain
ICCA Annual Congress
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) hosts its flagship congress for the global meetings industry. Takes place in October 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
The Business of Events: UK Policy Forum
The UK Policy Forum brings together senior business events leaders, policymakers, politicians, government officials, media and industry stakeholders to discuss the development of a long-term policy agenda for the sector. Takes place in November 2024 - in London, UK.
Recent events
Getty Images/Matthew Roberts Photography
Great Ambassador Networking Group (GANG) - April 2024
MeetEngland hosted the Great Ambassador Networking Group’s Elevate Conference in Bristol, in partnership with Meet Bristol & Bath and the University of Bristol. This was GANG’s first gathering since 2019 and saw attendees sharing their experience and advice for working with sector ambassadors to win, then optimise the positive impact and legacy of congresses in Britain.
Rich Kenworthy
North America East Coast Trade Mission - March 2024
The team organised networking events and sales calls in New York City, New Jersey and Washington, DC for English convention bureaus to meet and present their destination to meeting, incentive and association planners. The week included engagements with over 50 planners generating new event enquiries for attending cities.
EICC, Edinburgh
Association Conference - February 2024
In partnership with MeetEngland, Meet in Wales, VisitScotland Business Events and the Association of British Professional Congress Organisers (ABPCO), VisitBritain hosted our inaugural Association Conference in Edinburgh. The conference brought together 80 industry professionals including UK nations, city convention bureaus, international associations and professional congress organisers to consider business events’ ‘impact beyond the plenary,’ exploring ways to maximise the positive impact of a congress.
The conference saw the soft launch the VisitBritain Impactful Framework, created in partnership with #MEET4IMPACT and GDS-Movement to support the ongoing collective work in creating positive impact and legacy strategies across the industry.
West Midlands Growth Company
Coventry
IBTM World - Nov 2023
On the 28-30 November, the VisitEngland Business Events team (MeetEngland) exhibited at IBTM World in Barcelona - one of the key industry tradeshows in the business events calendar. The MeetEngland team were joined by a total of 18 stand partners from across England, including CVB’s, DMC’s, hotels and venues, who were there to showcase their vast product offering alongside England’s impressive sector expertise and fast-growing infrastructure.
Across the three days, international buyers were welcomed onto the MeetEngland stand with a total of 585 one-to-one pre-scheduled meetings confirmed. The team also hosted a total of six group on-stand presentations that showcased why England is a leading choice for meetings, incentives, conferences and events. During the show, MeetEngland also partnered with leading UK influencer Delegate Wranglers to take part in a social media activation, profiling the eight stand English convention bureaus (Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol & Bath, Coventry, Devon, Leeds, Liverpool and Oxford) through live interviews which were streamed across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Alamy Stock Photo
IMEX America - Oct 2023
The VisitEngland Business Events team (MeetEngland) exhibited at one of the key industry events of the year, IMEX America.
Taking place on 17-19 October in Las Vegas, the MeetEngland team were joined by 13 stand partners from across England, including convention bureaus such as Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, and Oxford, showcasing the country’s valuable infrastructure, sector expertise and diverse product options.
Across the three days, international buyers were welcomed onto the MeetEngland stand to take part in a total of 186 one-to-one pre-scheduled meetings and seven group presentations.
Shutterstock/Pajor Pawel
IMEX Frankfurt - May 2023
Representing MeetEngland at IMEX Frankfurt 2023, the team were joined by 18 destination partners from across England. During the trade show partners conducted 175 meetings with international event and association planners, and hosted six destination presentations.
Alongside trade show activity, the team organised our annual evening event for stand partners with event planners from Germany and France, and a breakfast with North American association planners for English convention bureaus.