Any event professional who wants to stay competitive in the exciting and fast-paced world of event management needs to constantly get updated with the latest industry trends. What is the best way to do that? Indeed, it’s attending events specifically devoted to the event industry. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most significant events for eventprofs worldwide in 2017. Enjoy!
July
2 – 5 July, 2017
Sydney, Australia
Each year, a member facility of the International Association of Convention Centres hosts the Annual Conference and General Assembly. The Annual Conference brings together members to consider important industry issues and hear from top professionals in a variety of related fields. Key program elements will incorporate the lessons learned through an extensive and aggressive centre development program while at the same time linking these to issues and opportunities of immediate interest to other AIPC members around the world.
Connections Meetings
2 – 5 July, 2017
Quito, Ecuador
Invitation only
Connections is the global networking and event organiser exclusively serving senior leaders and experts in luxury, wellness and meetings. The main objective is to change the conventional and corporate mind-set of how business and meetings should be done. Every event is different, but the agenda includes a mix of interactive group experiences, targeted workshops and roundtable discussions of topical issues as well as one-to-one business meetings. Connections is brought to different locations around the globe, and the experiences are unique and typical of the region where each event is hosted in order to showcase not only the hotel but the destination itself.
5 – 6 July, 2017
Madrid, Spain
evento Days is a show for those with passion for events. Created by Grupo eventoplus, the main media in Spain dedicated to the sector of events, this fair has been steadily growing for the past 11 years. In a day and a half, discover and experience first-hand the latest in events through different formats, fun activities and a special training program.
IBC Incentive Buyers Conference
10 – 12 July, 2017
Fort Lauderdale, FL, US
The 4th annual Incentive Buyers Conference is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group and Incentive Magazine—in partnership with the Incentive Marketing Association and The Incentive Research Foundation. Consult with merchandise and gift card experts in pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and insightful educational sessions, while enjoying a fully hosted, three-night stay at the Sonesta Hotel.
DMAI – Destination Marketing Association International:
2017 Annual Convention
11 – 14 July, 2017
Montreal, Canada
DMAI’s 2017 Annual Convention provides a unique opportunity for professionals to connect with and learn from peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry. All programming for the convention will be held at Palais Des Congress de Montreal, located at the north end of Old Montreal in Montreal’s borough of Ville-Marie. In 2017, DMAI will continue the promise to educate, inspire and create while in Montreal, Canada, as they celebrate their 375th anniversary of this historic city.
19 July, 2017
Los Angeles, CA, US
The Expo consists of a full day packed with inspiration, innovation and collaboration. The program included the Event Innovation Forum with leading event thought leaders, the Workshop Series with hands-on education, and the Exhibit Floor filled with thousands of new ideas to improve events.
Asia Business Meet
25 – 26 July, 2017
Singapore
The Asia Business Meet brings together hand-picked buyers and invitation-only suppliers for strategic one-to-one meetings, results driven networking opportunities and dynamic team-building exercises. The meeting focuses on fostering long-term relationships with major Asian MICE players. It aims to bring together pre-qualified buyers from Europe, North America, Asia and leading Asian suppliers of meeting and incentive travel for one day of pre-arranged, one-to-one meetings and non-stop networking.
30 July – 1 August, 2017
San Diego, CA, US
The summit is designed to help event marketing professionals grow and stay relevant as the industry navigates through a highly complex marketing environment. The programme features senior level event marketers, keynote presentations and interactive panel discussions, new technology trends and innovative business approaches to help participants address today’s ever changing marketing mix.
August
IncentiveWorks
22 – 23 August, 2017
Toronto, Canada
IncentiveWorks is the largest meetings and events industry trade show and conference in Canada. The goal is to provide the necessary tools to plan and execute better meetings, conferences, and events. The two-day conference is packed with the information and is a great opportunity to gain from the best minds in the business, advance your knowledge, improve your business, and earn your CE credits.
cibtm
23 – 24 August, 2017
Beijing, China
The 12th edition of ibtm china promises to once again unite a global community of leading MICE suppliers and top-level buyers who have proven purchasing power and budget to place with international providers. This is an exclusive platform for face-to-face meetings, new business opportunities, networking and education for meetings and event planners based in both China and the rest of Asia.
2017 PCMA Global Professionals Conference – APAC
28 – 31 August, 2017
Bangkok, Thailand
This invite-only educational event brings together 25 global planners from top associations and corporations, along with 15 senior-level suppliers from the region, representing convention bureaus and centers. The conference’s goal is for all participants to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities available throughout APAC and how to maximize business events in the region.
MEET National
September, 2017 (exact date to be confirmed)
Washington DC, US
Organised by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), MEET is a dynamic conference and trade show connecting meeting planners with new suppliers. The event is targeted at government, association, corporate and independent planners and offers two days of education, networking and business opportunities. This newly revamped event offers one-to-one pre-scheduled appointments, impromptu meetings on the open show floor as well as educational conference sessions that lead to CEU hours.
September
MeetingPlanners Russia
4 – 5 September, 2017
Moscow, Russia
This boutique event combines event essentials to a perfect MICE business mix of match-made, pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings, educational sessions with the hottest topics of the industry, plenty of networking opportunities and exciting social events. MeetingPlanners Russia offers a unique opportunity for worldwide MICE solution providers to meet face-to-face with leading Russian and CIS meeting planners within an intensive 2-days workshop format. Russian and CIS meeting planners represent an increasing demand for new MICE solutions. Europe Congress – building on its regional know-how – is highly successful in matching the needs of its partners and bringing together top worldwide solution providers with local meeting planners.
ibtm latin america
6 – 7 September, 2017
Mexico City, Mexico
ibtm latin america connects leaders, organisers and specialised suppliers within the MICE industry, allowing them to promote their companies and brands while developing new business opportunities and leads in the Americas, Latin America and Europe. Each year, the exhibition unites a community of over 380 suppliers and 6,400 meetings and events planners. The show features a number of networking events, the Hosted Buyer Program and one-to-one meetings as well as an aspirational educational programme.
ICESAP – Incentive Conference & Event Society Asia Pacific
6 – 8 September, 2017
Shanghai, China
The 4th annual ICESAP conference attracts high-value corporate clients, agency leaders and industry partners including hotel and venue companies and destination marketers to discuss the latest trends and challenges influencing the Incentive, Conference & Event business across Asia Pacific. The 2017 edition will open with the Leaders’ Forums run by industry’s leading thought leaders and will end with the evening Welcome Reception. It will also feature a day of plenary sessions, keynote presentations, ICESAP Awards Gala Dinner and a morning of educational & practical workshops.
IT&CMA – Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia
CTW – Corporate Travel World Asia Pacific
26 – 28 September, 2017
Bangkok, Thailand
IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific is a doublebill event in MICE and Corporate Travel organised by TTG Events.
IT&CMA is positioned as a global event with the largest exhibition showcase of Asia-Pacific MICE suppliers. The show has been incorporating Luxury Travel since 2012. Apart from offering business, education and networking opportunities, IT&CMA also features dedicated platforms designed around the interests of valuable MICE niche segments.
CTW Asia-Pacific is dedicated to cultivating Travel & Entertainment best practices among Asia-Pacific’s corporate travel professionals.
October
The Event Planner Expo
4 October, 2017
New York City, US
New York City’s largest and most exciting show for all event, wedding and party planning professionals as well as corporate decision makers who are looking to book events in the coming year. The expo connects corporate and independent event planners with key decision makers, vendors, venues and top hospitality professionals. More than 3000 attendees and 150 exhibitors will have the opportunity to build strategic partnerships, get inspired by the latest trends and ideas and close business for the coming year. For The Event Planner Expo’s 5 Year Anniversary, the event will feature celebrity speakers, starring Lifestyle maven, Martha Stewart and an exclusive VIP networking lounge where you can make lasting connections with Event Professionals, Corporate Decision Makers, Event Planners & CEOs.
MCE South Europe 2016
8 – 10 October, 2017
Catania, Sicily, Italy
This boutique event format offers unique opportunities for South European destinations and MICE providers to meet up face-to-face with selected worldwide meeting planners. The programme put together by Europe Congress mixes event essentials as pre-scheduled and match-made meetings with networking, socialising and keynote sessions. These meetings are tailored according the needs of the hosted buyers matching the products and services of the participating convention bureaus and suppliers.
IMEX America
10 – 12 October, 2017
Las Vegas, NV, US
Increasing in size and scope every year, IMEX America features the largest Hosted Buyer Program in North America and attracts thousands of buyers and exhibitors from the U.S. and around the world. The registration, show entry and education sessions are free of charge. The event offers an online scheduling system allowing attendees to line up business meetings in advance. Apart from networking and business opportunities, the event features IMEX Vision Initiatives offering insights, inspiration and education aimed at helping participants enhance their business and career.
Event Organisers Summit
23 – 24 October, 2017
London, UK
A highly focused event, this summit brings together meeting and event professionals and key industry solution providers. The event is packed with one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities; in less than two days.
ITB Asia
25 – 27 October, 2017
Singapore
ITB Asia is a B2B trade show and convention, a meeting point for international exhibitors of all sectors within the travel-value chain commerce and Asia Pacific’s leading and emerging travel companies with top international buyers from the MICE, Leisure and Corporate Travel markets. ITB Asia features the full range of travel products, services and goods. It is also a knowledge platform for the industry along with the concurrently held Web in Travel (WIT) Conference and a networking platform during evening functions, workshops and seminars.
November
Global Incentive Summit
1 – 3 November, 2017
Reykjavik, Iceland
This exclusive event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group and Incentive Magazine in partnership with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). The event connects participants with top international incentive travel destinations during pre-scheduled one-on-one business appointments and experiential activities while guest speakers provide targeted education. All qualified buyers will be fully hosted by Northstar Meetings Group, including airfare and planned activities.
Venue Expo
7 November 2016
Liverpool, UK
The Venue Expo 2016 attracts MICE Industry professionals, venues, top suppliers and event support services from all corners of the UK and across Europe. Hosted buyers can choose amongst 200 exhibitors and organise meetings in advance. Apart from the trade show, attendees have the opportunity to attend top quality CPD Accredited Seminars, benefit from networking opportunities and business platforms.
Event Tech Live
9 November, 2017
London, UK
Sister product of The Event Technology Awards, Event Tech Live is Europe’s first dedicated exhibition and conference for event professionals with an interest in technology. The multi-strand conference and exhibition gives event technology providers the opportunity to showcase their latest technological developments to event organisers, agencies and brands that are looking improve their events.
56th ICCA Congress
12 – 15 November, 2017
Kuching, Malaysia
The ICCA Congress provides strong, custom-designed education programme for senior industry practitioners complemented with extensive business opportunities and exceptional high-level networking.
FICP – Financial & Insurance Conference Planners Annual Conference
12 – 15 November, 2017
San Diego, CA, US
With a history spanning nearly 60 years and a community of 1,500 planner professionals and hospitality partners, FICP provides access to education, experience and resources targeting the needs of financial services and insurance meeting planners from across North America. FICP maintains a unique, balanced planner-to-hospitality partner ratio at all events. The 2017 Annual Conference promises four days of cutting-edge education and countless networking opportunities.
CMP Conclave
13 – 15 November, 2017
National Harbor, MD, US
Conclave is the industry’s exclusive meeting of CMPs who wish to contribute to their profession, while advancing their own knowledge and skills and expanding their professional network.This year’s theme for the CMP Conclave is “Tracking Towards Your Future”.
EVENTtech
13 – 15 November, 2017
Las Vegas, NV, US
Designed with both b-to-c and b-to-b event marketers in mind, EVENTtech is both a conference and exposition on using social media and technology to optimise live experiences. The event showcases latest technologies, trends, case studies and best practices.
PCMA Canadian Innovation Conference
19 – 21 November 2017
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
The Canadian Innovation Conference, powered by PCMA, is designed to meet the needs of meeting and event professionals and suppliers whose organisations are engaged in providing services related to the conduct and operation of meetings, conventions, seminars, exhibits and trade shows. Participants can experience high-quality educational programme, earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) and learn about the latest technology trends to increase efficiency and productivity all while expanding their professional network.
Destinations & Travel Management Summit
20 – 21 November, 2017
London, UK
Formerly known as the The Venues & Destinations Summit, the Destinations & Travel Management Summit is dedicated to venue and travel bookers to meet with innovative and competitive suppliers to the industry. This highly-focused event brings together event and travel buyers and suppliers and consists of one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and networking opportunities.
ibtm world
28 – 30 November, 2017
Barcelona, Spain
ibtm world, formerly known as eibtm, is a global event for the meetings, incentives, conferences, events and business travel industry. ibtm world is a global marketplace which attracts industry professionals such as exhibitors, hosted buyers and trade visitors meeting annually to discuss hot topics and recognise achievements and initiatives.
December
Northstar Meetings Group Leadership Forum
10 – 13 December, 2017
Newport Beach, CA, US
The Leadership Forum is a summit for high-level planners and leaders from all areas of the meetings industry – suppliers, planners and media, to review, discuss and develop strategies shaping the future of the industry. Participating suppliers may invite up to three select clients or prospects as their guests to experience three days of compelling education, leisure activities and valuable networking experiences – and to be part of this high-level industry summit.
Any important event missing from the list? Let us know with a comment below and we may include it in the list.
Check out Part I: The Events for Event Profs in 2017. January – June
Featured image: derivative of untitled photo by Incygneia licensed under CC0 1.0
