Key meeting buyers and associations gather to deliver visitor focused education programme for The Meetings Show

Key meeting buyers and associations have gathered for The Meetings Show’s high profile Education Panel meeting at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC).  During the

intensive workshop the Panel focused on the importance of delivering targeted education of value to the entire visitor base.

The Panel, chaired by Sally Greenhill, MD, The Right Solution, includes: Juliet Price, Executive Director of the HBAA; Michael Foreman, Head of External Affairs, ABPCO; Linda Pereira, Executive Director of CPL Meetings & Events; Paul Kennedy MBE, Strategic Advisor to The Meetings Show; Angie Mason, Director, Absolute Corporate Events; Caitriona Lavery, Sales Manager, Hastings Hotels; and Caroline Hill, Director, Compliant Venues.

“Education is an essential part of our show; we regard it as a key driver in the delivery of a high quality hosted buyer and visitor audience. Our education programme is too important for us to simply hold a ‘call for papers’ – which inevitably leads to ‘sales-led’ seminar sessions. It is vital for us to consult meeting buyers and key buyer led associations to ensure we create a programme of education that is both inspiring and relevant to our industry.” commented Steve Knight, Event Director of The Meetings Show. “The Panel reviewed last year’s programme and the extensive feedback we received. Everyone agreed that last year’s education was really well received, but we are refining and fine tuning the format and topics covered to ensure itmoves with the needs of our audience and reflects the industry’s ever changing requirements.”

The Panel’s discussion included details of the Association Meetings Conference on 7 July, 2014, which will be announced shortly.  The Meetings Show education programme will be announced in April.

Juliet Price, Executive Director, HBAA, said: “Having sat on the Education Panel in 2013, I was keen to continue my involvement to ensure that the education stays relevant to our members. The HBAA represents 280 organisations in the UK so I’m delighted to represent them and to be able to influence the education from the planning stages. The meeting was very in-depth and we discussed some exciting changes and enhancements to the way the programme is presented, the streams focused on and the topics covered.”

The Meetings Show is a major event for the UK inbound and outbound meetings industry, organised by Centaur Exhibitions and taking place 8-10 July 2014 at Olympia, London. Organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals it is focused around a large exhibition, networking opportunities and professional education.