To help you plan ahead, Skift Meetings has compiled a list of 2026’s must-attend events for meetings and events industry professionals.
Details about each event can be found on the linked website.
Only industry events with confirmed dates, locations, and an official website are included. (Think we’ve missed an event? Contact us at meetings@skift.com.)
January
Philadelphia, PA | January 11 – January 14
The 70th Anniversary of Convening Leaders will mark the industry’s first event of the year — and one of its largest.
BOE International (Best of Events)
Dortmund, Germany | January 14 – 15
Messe Dortmund hosts 10,000 experiential marketing professionals with decision-makers under the motto “People. Events. Innovations.”
February
Edmonton, AB, Canada | February 1 – 3
GO WEST is billed as “the largest gathering of event professionals outside of Toronto,” created in 2018 by event planners, for event planners.
Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME)
Melbourne, Australia | February 9 – 11
AIME is known as the largest and longest-running business events exhibition in the Asia Pacific region, attracting 4,500 attendees, including 700 exhibitors.
Ljubljana, Slovenia | February 10 – 12
Conventa is a boutique B2B MICE trade show focused on Southeast Europe.
Abu Dhabi, UAE | February 12 – 15
The annual gathering of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) will focus on key themes that will influence the incentive travel industry in 2026 and beyond.
MPI European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC)
Barcelona, Spain | February 21 – 24
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) defines its flagship European event as “a global idea incubator for event professionals.”
Ottawa, ON, Canada | February 22 – 26
Ottawa Meet Week includes a hosted buyer program for qualified Canadian meeting industry professionals and features 40 DMOs from across Canada, as well as a roster of special events including the Canadian Society of Association Executives’ Tête-à-Tête and LOL 5.0, a fundraising event by MPI Foundation’s Canadian Council.
Johannesburg, South Africa | February 24 – 25
The flagship show of South African Tourism is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It also includes a day of education, BONDay, on February 23.
London, UK | February 25 – 26
Organized by Mash Media, this year’s International Confex is expecting 5,500 attendees, including 330 exhibitors, at Excel London.
IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly
Athens, Germany | February 25 – 28
Hosted by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), this gathering will bring global leaders in the meetings and congresses sector together in the birthplace of the first symposia.
March
San José, Costa Rica | March 1-3
Organized by the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI), this conference offers destination management professionals a mix of educational sessions and networking with industry peers from across the globe.
Catersource + The Special Event
Los Angeles, CA | March 2 – 5
This combined event by Informa Connect promises brings together business owners, chefs, caterers, and event planners.
Bangkok, Thailand | March 5 – 6
After 15 years, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, will return to Bangkok. Sessions will tackle today’s complex challenges, including international trade tensions.
Kiawah Island, SC | March 9 – 12
Hosted by the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO), this summit brings together CEOs and senior executives from across the exhibitions and events industry for networking and information sharing.
April
The Business of Events (powered by PCMA)
Singapore | April 13 – 15
Preceding the Meetings Show Asia Pacific, this event bills itself as “the place where multigenerational senior business event leaders and next generation professionals converge to shape the future of our industry and profession.”
Destination Capitol Hill (DCH)
Washington, D.C. | April 14 – 15
Organized by the U.S. Travel Association, the meetings industry’s day of advocacy event connects travel industry leaders with policymakers on Capitol Hill.
The Meetings Show Asia Pacific
Singapore | April 16-17
The Asia Pacific edition of the Meetings Show features destinations, venues, hotels, and other key suppliers among its exhibitors, and is supported by a hosted buyer program aimed at senior buyers and an educational conference.
IACC Americas Knowledge Exchange
Ossining, NY | April 20 – 22
The International Association of Conference Centers (IACC)’s annual member event will bring conference and meeting venue decision-makers to New York’s Hudson Valley in 2026.
Seattle, WA | April 28 – 230
Presented by Butler Events, this regional event expects to attract 2,400 event planners, marketers, and business professionals from the Northwest, with 240+ exhibitors.
May
Frankfurt, Germany | May 20 – 22
The IMEX Group presents this global business event for the meetings and incentive travel industries. The event attracts thousands of professionals from around the world, “building powerful working relationships — to create better events, meetings and experiences.”
Scottsdale, AZ | May 26 – 29
The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF)’s annual fundraiser supports its ongoing research in the field of incentive travel.
Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum
Washington, D.C. | May 27
This one-day forum, organized by Lippman Connects, is aimed at senior executives in the exhibition and convention industry and precedes the Exhibitions & Conference Alliance (ECA)’s Legislative Action Day on May 28.
June
San Antonio, TX | June 2 – 4
Organized by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), this flagship event for meeting and event planners and suppliers globally claims there’s “no bigger celebration of the people and purpose of the business event industry.”
İzmir, Türkiye | June 3 – 6
Organized by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and hosted by exhibition organizer IZFAS, this flagship regional event brings together exhibition industry professionals from Europe and beyond.
SGMP National Education Conference (NEC)
Williamsburg, VA | June 9 – 11
This annual event features more than 20 hours of professional development sessions, an industry trade show, and networking.
Costa Rica | June 8 – 11
A major exhibition for showcasing destinations, venues, and suppliers across the region, FIEXPO also includes a Politician’s Forum and the Motivation Luxury Summit for the luxury incentive travel industry.
Fajardo, Puerto Rico | June 21 – 24
PCMA’s edUcon is a mix of interactive workshops, on-location learning experiences, and collaborative discussions for senior-level business events professionals.
July
Nashville, TN | July 13 – 16
Cvent’s annual conference brings together event professionals, marketers, and hospitality leaders “to explore cutting-edge technology and exchange ideas.”
Destinations International Annual Convention
Portland, OR | July 21 – 26
Destinations International (DI)’s annual event brings together 800+ destination marketing leaders for a combination of tactical education and direct peer connection.
August
New Orleans, LA | August 2 – 4
Organized by the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), this annual event attracts an audience of catering and event industry professionals for curated education and guided networking.
Canadian Meetings + Events Expo
Toronto, ON, Canada | August 11 – 12
This trade show for meeting and event professionals provides opportunities to network with destinations and suppliers from Canada, the U.S., and across the globe.
ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition
Indianapolis, IN | August 15 – 18
The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) hosts this annual event, bringing together thousands of association professionals and industry partners.
Mexico City, Mexico | August 19 – 20
This two-day trade show connects meeting professionals across North and Latin America with global suppliers.
Fajardo, Puerto Rico | August 25 – 27
SITE’s flagship fundraising event brings together leaders “to raise money in support of research, education, and advocacy for the benefit of the incentive travel industry.”
September
Vancouver, Canada | September 14 – 16
This Meeting Professionals International (MPI) event for meeting planners is organized by the association’s chapters in Canada.
New York, NY | September 22
Where the industry’s most forward-thinking planners come to exchange ideas, uncover insights, and reimagine what events can do. In one powerful day, participants gain strategic takeaways, peer-tested frameworks, and new ways to prove the impact of their events.
October
Las Vegas, NV | October 13 – 15
IMEX Group’s flagship trade show for the meetings and events industry in North America promises to offer “specialist education, networking, and much more, on and off the trade show floor.”
Lisbon, Portugal | October 13 – 15
PCMA Convening EMEA is an annual event that connects business event professionals across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
IACC Europe Knowledge Festival
Munich, Germany | October 18 – 20
This annual event for venue operators, meeting professionals, and vendors is being billed as “an invitation to reimagine the conference experience.”
London, UK | October 21–22
Cvent’s annual European-focused user conference and industry event will showcase the event tech company’s latest technology.
November
Sakhir, Bahrain | November 2 – 5
The 93rd UFI Global Congress, an annual congress for members worldwide, will be hosted by Exhibition World Bahrain.
Panama City, Panama | November 8 – 11
This year, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)’s 65th annual congress will bring the international meetings and events industry together in Latin America.
London, UK | November 11 – 12
At Event Tech Live, attendees can expect “tools, insights, and networking opportunities you need to harness technology and deliver unforgettable event experiences.” The event features a hosted buyer program and an exhibition showcasing event technology, software, and solutions.
New Orleans, LA | November 15 – 18
The Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP)’s annual conference is designed for meeting planners and hospitality partners working in and with financial and insurance companies.
Milwaukee, WI | November 16 – 18
Organized by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), this annual gathering brings together exhibitors and event industry professionals.
Barcelona, Spain | November 17 – 19
One of the industry’s largest trade shows, IBTM World bills itself as “the global hub of the events community.”
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