The Meetings Show 's hosted buyer welcome reception venue revealed
Horizon 22 will host The Meetings Show's Hosted Buyer Welcome Reception, offering skyline views, Manchester-themed entertainment, and networking opportunities.
Horizon 22 Events, City of London's tallest building, and its hospitality partner Searcys The Meetings Show's themed Hosted Buyer Welcome Reception, sponsored by Manchester Convention Bureau, part of Marketing Manchester, helping buyers start this year's show on a high.
Taking place 254 metres above the capital on the evening of 24 June, the exclusive event will welcome 200 event planners to the venue at 22 Bishopsgate for an unforgettable evening of experience-led networking, entertainment, and iconic skyline views.
Guests will arrive to a Manchester-themed celebration, featuring live entertainment hosted by the one and only Dr. Cheddar Gorgeous, who holds a PhD in Anthropology and was a finalist in BBC's Ru Paul's Drag Race UK. The event will also see Manchester's finest regional dishes served, from Corned Beef Hash to Rag Pudding and Baked Eccles Cakes.
The event will take place the evening before The Meetings Show at Excel London on 25-26 June, following The Hosted Buyer Masterclasses where Hosted Buyers will get the opportunity to partake in a rejuvenated dynamic learning experience packed with interactive content, including a keynote by Emmy-winning comedy writer Beth Sherman.
Victoria Braddock, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: 'Manchester is thrilled to be the headline sponsor of the Hosted Buyer Welcome Reception at The Meetings Show. As one of the largest UK meetings, incentives, and events trade shows in the UK, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Manchester through our themed night, and let buyers know that the city is open for business and has the capacity to host major meetings and events.
'This is the biggest showcase Manchester has had at The Meetings Show for years, and our enhanced presence is thanks to the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District, which has supported us to not only be a headline sponsor, but also to sponsor the lanyards, and bring 11 key partners with us to the show.
'We're looking forward to making great connections at the show and hope to inspire delegates to see Manchester as a leading place for meetings, incentives, and events.'
Graham Angus, Head of Hosted Buyer Operations at The Meetings Show, said: 'The Hosted Buyer Welcome Reception is one of the highlights of the Hosted Buyer Programme and is always a popular event, giving buyers a chance to kick back and have some fun with their peers before the show. Horizon 22 Events is an amazing new venue and together with a good dose of Mancunian hospitality we can guarantee it will be another unmissable event.'
Venue Partner Amber Holdforth, Sales and Marketing Manager at Horizon 22 Events by Searcys said, 'We're thrilled to be partnering with The Meetings Show to host this year's Hosted Buyer Welcome Reception at Horizon 22 Events. As the sun sets over London – at 9:22pm to be exact – guests will enjoy panoramic views of the city as it transitions from day to night, a truly magical backdrop that rivals some of the world's most iconic skylines.
This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate London's vibrant events industry, while also echoing The Meetings Show's commitment to global connection and innovation. We look forward to welcoming industry peers to experience the energy of the capital from the highest event space in the UK.'
New for this year, the Hosted Buyer Masterclasses offers an enhanced programme in response to feedback from previous attendees. Sessions like 'Deep Dives', will provide buyers with hands-on experiences that equip them with practical skills for success in their roles. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from real-world case studies, engage in peer-to-peer learning, and build meaningful connections within the industry.
The Meetings Show 2025 will be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show.
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