The Meetings Show 2026: Smarter Matchmaking, Stronger Buyer Intent

29,838 Meetings. One clear goal.

The Meetings Show 2026 built on the success of ExpoPlatform’s partnership with Northstar Travel Group, delivering another high-performing hosted buyer programme designed to maximise meaningful business connections.

The platform combined AI-powered discovery, intelligent matchmaking and a streamlined mobile experience to help buyers and exhibitors connect more efficiently. Engagement continued to grow across key indicators, with favourites increasing by more than 10% and conversations rising by over 50% compared with the previous edition.

Growing engagement creates better business opportunities

Where the industry comes to do business

The Meetings Show is the UK’s leading event for the meetings, events and incentives industry – bringing together destinations, venues, suppliers and qualified hosted buyers for two days of focused business networking.

ExpoPlatform continued as the official event technology partner for this edition, building on a relationship that has evolved through continuous feedback, product development and shared objectives.

The priority remained unchanged: help every hosted buyer discover relevant exhibitors, schedule quality meetings and make the most of every moment onsite.

Buyers wanted more. The platform delivered.

Northstar Travel Group wanted a platform that could support thousands of meetings while making the experience intuitive for busy buyers and exhibitors.

Key priorities included:

• Delivering a high-volume hosted buyer meetings programme
• Making exhibitor discovery faster and more relevant
• Supporting both planned meetings and spontaneous networking
• Simplifying schedule management across mobile and web
• Providing organisers with complete visibility of meeting activity
• Continuing to improve the attendee experience through product evolution

How ExpoPlatform made networking easier

ExpoPlatform delivered an integrated event technology ecosystem tailored to Northstar Travel Group’s hosted buyer model.

The solution included:

• Smart matchmaking and AI-powered exhibitor recommendations
• Intelligent meeting request, confirmation and schedule management
• A mobile app designed around familiar user experiences
• One central agenda combining meetings, education sessions and networking
• Integrated messaging and attendee inbox
• Continuous product training and dedicated organiser support
• Ongoing feedback sessions that informed platform improvements

The result was a platform that reduced friction throughout the attendee journey while giving organisers greater flexibility and control.

Engagement continued to grow

The Meetings Show 2026 demonstrated stronger buyer engagement across several of the platform’s most important indicators.

Participants actively explored exhibitor profiles, saved potential suppliers and continued conversations throughout the event.

Key results:

• 29,838 meeting requests
• 64,006 favourites
• 45,336 conversations
• 4,557 participants
• 633 exhibitors

Favourites increased by more than 10% year on year, while conversations grew by more than 50% – showing that attendees were engaging more actively before, during and after scheduled meetings.

What happens when you keep improving

The platform has developed alongside the partnership.

Each edition has introduced refinements based on organiser feedback, attendee behaviour and operational experience. Product training, collaborative planning and continuous development have allowed Northstar Travel Group to build on proven workflows rather than starting from scratch each year.

The result is a technology ecosystem that feels increasingly familiar for returning attendees while continuing to introduce new capabilities that improve networking and event planning.

The real reason buyers stayed active

Technology supported the experience without becoming the focus.

AI-powered recommendations helped buyers discover exhibitors they may not have otherwise found. Mobile agendas reduced administrative effort throughout the event. Integrated messaging allowed conversations to continue beyond scheduled meetings.

Every improvement contributed to one objective: making business connections easier to create.

What organisers should take from this:

• Nearly 30,000 meeting requests supported another successful hosted buyer programme
• Buyer engagement continued to increase through stronger favourites and messaging activity
• AI-powered discovery improved exhibitor visibility
• Mobile-first planning simplified attendee journeys
• Continuous collaboration strengthened both the platform and the partnership
• Long-term technology investment continues to improve outcomes for organisers, buyers and exhibitors

The Meetings Show 2026 demonstrated the value of an evolving technology partnership. Each edition builds on the last, delivering smarter networking, stronger engagement and better business outcomes for everyone involved.