aerial view of london

More than 100 global buyers will jet into London this week for the launch of MeetGB – a new platform showcasing the UK as a ‘premier destination’ for the conferences, meetings, business events and incentives industry.

VisitBritain, the national tourism organisation, is bringing 80 meetings and event suppliers from across the UK together with 120 global meetings, events and incentive planners at London’s Hilton Bankside.

The three-day event kicks off on Wednesday with a reception for buyers, featuring a welcome from new Tourism Minister Michael Ellis.

A packed programme of one-to-one buyers’ appointments between exhibitors and buyers takes place at the venue on Thursday and Friday, with MICE industry workshop sessions on topics such as the forthcoming data GDPR regulations, crisis management and wellbeing running in parallel.

Thousands of one-to-one business meetings between UK conference product suppliers and international event planners will take place at the two-day event, with buyers from France, Germany and North America attending, as well as Belgium, Austria, Spain and Switzerland.

Tourism Minister Michael Ellis said: “Events like MeetGB help us promote Britain as a premier destination for business events. This is a great opportunity for British businesses to build new global relationships, bring more international conferences to the country and attract greater inward investment.”

VisitBritain/VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “MeetGB will showcase to global buyers the breadth and quality of the UK’s meetings and events industry, demonstrating our fantastic infrastructure, our ease of access and the quality on offer across so many destinations for the international business events market.

“This flagship event gives our suppliers and local destinations the chance to get their products in front of top global buyers, forge valuable business connections and ultimately bring more international conferences, meetings and business events to the UK, boosting the economy.”

MeetGB, hosted by VisitBritain in partnership with London & Partners, VisitEngland, Visit Wales, VisitScotland and Tourism Northern Ireland is being held at the Hilton London Bankside.

As well as doing business, delegates will attend seminars and networking events on innovations in the sector, boosting their knowledge of the UK as a business events destination. A programme of accredited education sessions for buyers will also run during the event on GDPR and data security, technology and wellbeing.

Ahead of the event, the global buyers will attend one of 11 educational visits across the UK to experience first-hand the variety of conference and event facilities, with destinations showcasing their infrastructure, accessibility and the visitor experiences on offer.  From Aberdeen to Brighton, the buyers will experience the best Britain has to offer in venues, food, hotels and attractions for conferences and business events.

VisitBritain promotes business events worldwide, under the Events are GREAT brand, part of the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign. Events are GREAT drives awareness of Britain’s destinations and products, highlighting its history of research, innovation and high-quality infrastructure, positioning it as a leading destination for business events.