13 Unmissable Industry Events Shaping the Next 12 Months
Your Strategic Calendar Starts Here
In the fast-paced world of events and hospitality, staying visible, connected, and ahead of the curve is essential. One of the smartest ways to do that? Showing up at the right industry events. Whether you’re looking to spark new business, strengthen your brand presence, or stay on top of emerging trends, the events calendar over the next 12 months is packed with opportunities.
In this article, we’re highlighting the top event shows you need to know about and why they deserve a place in your strategic plan. From game-changing trade shows to niche networking hubs, these events aren’t just dates in the diary; they’re growth opportunities waiting to happen.
Recognised globally as the leading showcase for innovation in live event technology, Event Tech Live brings together forward-thinking professionals, tech pioneers, and ambitious startups under one roof in London each year.
With free registration, attendees gain access to a rich program of content led by industry thought leaders, delivered across multiple stages and formats. From immersive product demos to expert panels and future-focused sessions, it’s where the latest in software, tools, and tech comes to life.
Whether you’re exploring smarter solutions, sourcing new suppliers, or levelling up your digital strategy, Event Tech Live offers the insights, connections, and innovations to drive your next event forward.
Recognised globally as a leading gathering for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events industry, IBTM World brings together event professionals, destination experts, and suppliers from across the globe under one roof in Barcelona each year.
With free registration, attendees gain access to a dynamic programme of content led by industry pioneers, delivered across multiple stages and formats. From inspiring keynote sessions and destination showcases to innovation zones and networking opportunities, it’s where the latest trends and ideas in business events come to life.
Whether you’re seeking new partnerships, exploring fresh markets, or elevating your event strategy, IBTM World offers the insights, connections, and opportunities to drive your next event forward.
The Event Production Show
25th-26th February 2026 | Excel, London
With a legacy spanning over 35 years, the Event Production Show (EPS) remains the UK’s leading gathering for professionals behind live and outdoor experiences. From large-scale festivals and stadium tours to brand activations and civic celebrations, EPS brings together the full spectrum of event delivery specialists to exchange ideas, tackle shared challenges, and shape what’s next for the industry.
Returning to ExCeL London in February 2026, this two-day event is a go-to for anyone serious about elevating their impact. Expect sharp insight into crowd dynamics, sustainability, creative production, tech innovation, supply chains, diversity, and more. All under one roof.
London Summer Event Show
10th-11th February 2026 | Freemason’s Hall, london
Designed for event planners with big ambitions, the London Summer Event Show is where corporate buyers and agencies go to discover fresh ideas and connect with the capital’s most sought-after venues and suppliers.
Across two vibrant days, the show blends inspiration with practical insight. From complimentary tastings and trend-led showcases to a curated program of seminars, workshops, and wellness sessions. If you’re planning standout summer events in 2026, this is where the season starts.
The PA Show is the UK’s flagship event dedicated to empowering executive support professionals from PAs and EAs to VAs and office managers. With a clear focus on personal development, it offers two focused days of learning, inspiration, and community building.
Attendees can expect expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and tailored networking opportunities designed to elevate skills, build confidence, and champion career progression. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of industry trends, refine your toolkit, or connect with like-minded professionals, The PA Show is where meaningful development begins.
Now in its fourth decade, International Confex has earned its place as a flagship event for #eventprofs across the UK and beyond. Taking place over two dynamic days, it brings together more than 300 suppliers, venues, and tech innovators, alongside nine buzzing content theaters that deliver fresh thinking on the future of live experiences.
Whether you’re looking to discover the next wave of event technology, connect with new partners, or gain inspiration from 100+ expert speakers, Confex is your opportunity to explore the full ecosystem of event planning under one roof.
But its impact doesn’t end when the doors close; Confex acts as a year-round resource hub, supporting event professionals with insight, tools, and connections long after the final session wraps.
PLASA Focus Leeds brings together the brightest minds and biggest ideas in entertainment technology, from global brands to agile independents, all united by a shared ambition to push the industry forward. Designed for connection, collaboration, and innovation, it’s the go-to event for those shaping the future of live production.
Across two focused days, attendees can get hands-on with the latest tech, gain insight from sector leaders, and forge valuable partnerships that extend well beyond the show floor. Whether you’re launching a product, building your brand, or simply staying ahead of the curve, PLASA Focus Leeds delivers the platform and the people to make it happen.
As the UK’s leading platform for the meetings and events industry, The Meetings Show connects global destinations, venues, hotels, and tech providers with UK and European event planners who are actively buying. It’s where business gets done with high-value meetings, powerful networking, and a curated hosted buyer program that ensures you’re in the room with the right people.
Exhibitors benefit from unrivalled exposure to qualified buyers, while attendees gain access to cutting-edge solutions, sector insight, and a community committed to driving the future of face-to-face experiences. Whether you’re planning or pitching, The Meetings Show is where strategy meets opportunity.
London Christmas Party Show
July 2026 | Vision Hall, London
For corporate planners and event agencies looking to elevate their festive season, the London Christmas Party Show is the go-to showcase for premium venues, creative suppliers, and standout celebration ideas.
Over two lively days, you’ll meet 150+ of London’s top event partners, enjoy complimentary tastings, and tap into a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and wellness sessions all designed to spark inspiration and make your next end-of-year event unforgettable. And yes, attendance is completely free.
If you’re planning Christmas with impact, it starts here.
Olympia London is the UK’s leading trade show for live entertainment technology, bringing together over 7,500 professionals and more than 270 exhibitors across lighting, audio, AV, staging, and rigging. It’s a strategic hub for innovation, product launches, and professional learning, featuring live demos, sector-specific seminars, and networking opportunities in newly curated spaces like the Gallery Level and Innovation Gallery. The PLASA Awards for Innovation spotlight cutting-edge developments, offering valuable exposure for brands breaking new ground. For SMEs in the events and hospitality sector, exhibiting at PLASA is more than a showcase; it’s a business development opportunity: driving visibility, generating leads, and aligning with an audience actively investing in growth. It’s an ideal fit for any brand serious about elevating its market position through strategic presence.
The Hospitality Tech Expo
29th-30th September 2026 | Excel, London
The Hospitality Tech Expo is Europe’s leading event for innovation in the hospitality sector, bringing together over 500 exhibitors and more than 15,000 senior decision-makers (88% of whom hold purchasing power). With 200+ expert-led seminars and dedicated zones for AI and sustainable tech, the expo offers a high-impact platform for showcasing solutions that drive efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and support long-term growth. For SMEs, suppliers, and agencies, it’s a strategic opportunity to generate leads, gain visibility, and position their brand at the forefront of industry innovation.
CHS Manchester is where event professionals from across the UK come to discover the very best in venues, hotels, destinations, and event suppliers from across the UK and Europe. After five fantastic years in Birmingham, CHS is taking the next step in its evolution by bringing together the energy of CHS Birmingham and the scale of CHS Leeds to create one powerful, national show. It’s a high-impact day of networking, uniting corporate buyers, agencies, and industry professionals to build new relationships and reconnect with trusted contacts. Alongside the exhibition, the show offers a focused programme of educational sessions, designed to inspire fresh thinking, support professional growth, and give attendees the tools to deliver smarter, more strategic events, all delivered with the warm, welcoming CHS experience you know.
Now in its fourth decade, The Showman’s Show is the UK’s longest-running and most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the outdoor events and festivals sector. From large-scale productions to specialist activations, it’s the only event that brings the full supply chain together in one open-air marketplace, and it’s completely free to attend.
This year’s edition returns to Newbury Showground with hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations in event infrastructure, production, safety, sustainability, and tech. It’s a rare opportunity to see, test, and compare what’s new, all while meeting new suppliers, discovering fresh ideas, and catching up with industry peers in a relaxed and highly focused environment.
Whether you’re organising festivals, public events, or open-air experiences, The Showman’s Show is where the outdoor event season starts.
