Tackling today’s biggest industry topics and featuring dozens of global experts and respected thought leaders, The Meetings Show Asia Pacific’s 2026 Education Programme will provide valuable insights and innovative strategies to empower the region’s MICE professionals.
Thirty presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions will take place across two dynamic stages – MICE Studios 1 and 2 – over two days: 14-15 April 2026, including an AI-theme day two opening keynote delivered by VOK DAMS CEO Colja Dams.
Organised by the Northstar Travel Group and co-located with Business Travel Show Asia Pacific at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore for the second year, The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is the region’s leading MICE trade show. Last year, the event brought together 1,800 meetings professionals from over 70 countries. More than 290 suppliers exhibited and in excess of 8,000 business meetings took place over two days. More are expected this year and buyers can register for free now.
Introducing the 2026 Education Programme
Focusing on six pillars – Event Design, Trends, Future Workforce, Sustainability, Wellness and Technology – this year’s agenda will deep dive into the biggest topics impacting the global MICE industry today, from AI and digital twinning, to harnessing customer experience to power growth, promoting sustainability, delivering ROI and value, and understanding, attracting and retaining talent within the next gen workforce.
AI leads the agenda
One of the biggest topics on the agenda this year is AI. According to the most recent Pulse Survey from Northstar and Cvent, AI adoption among event planners in Asia Pacific has rocketed from under half (43%) to over three quarters (75%) in 12 months. Paula Rowntree, Founder, Business Events Network will present Event AI Tools in Actionshowcasing five practical AI tools event professionals can use immediately on returning to the office.
“AI is everywhere, but what actually helps in your day-to-day work?” she asks. “From saving time on admin and content to supporting smarter planning decisions, this fast-paced session is all about real examples, real workflows and real impact – no tech background required but you’ll walk away with five tools you can use in your day-to-day work environment.”
AI is also the theme of the day two opening keynote The Digital Doppelganger. Presented by Colja Dams, Chief Executive Officer, VOK DAMS, this is a must-see session, which investigates AI-generated audience twins, and how they will help planners understand, design and predict how audiences will experience an event.
New for 2026! Talks in Ten
Fast, focused and full of ideas. Talks in Ten is a brand new format for 2026; a series of sharp 10-minute presentations designed to spark thinking, not drain energy. Visitors can expect big ideas, bold perspectives and practical takeaways in a rapid-fire format to keep things moving and minds engaged.
In partnership with Unique Speakers Bureau International, Talks in Ten speakers include:
Day one – 14 April:
- Dr Paula Smith, Training Director and Principal Expert, Global Institute of Training and Presenting, Australia. Dr Smith is also presenting Why Great Content Still Fails on day one.
- Nicky Verd, Digital Futurist, Unique Speakers Bureau International. She is also presenting New Rules for Relevance on day two.
- Brice Degeyter, Chief Executive Officer, Bizsu
Day two – 15 April:
- Lucy Bloom, Conference Speaker, Flamingo Bloom
- Dr Anuradha Rao, Unique Speakers Bureau International
- Yujin Wong, Unique Speakers Bureau International
Exclusive global insight
The findings from the upcoming Northstar and Cvent Pulse Survey will be revealed exclusively at The Meetings Show Asia Pacific at 13:00 on Tuesday 14 April. This insight-driven session will highlight key trends shaping demand, budgets, behaviour and decision-making as AMI’s editorial director James Lancaster discusses what’s really happening across the global events landscape right now.
Source from hundreds of suppliers
More than 300 exhibitors will be at The Meetings Show Asia Pacific this year offering attendees unrivalled opportunities to meet leading suppliers including hotels, global destinations, venues and more. The exhibitor list already includes IHG Hotels & Resorts, Singapore Tourism Board, AYANA Hotels and Resorts, Banyan Group, BWH Hotels, Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR (IPIM), Hilton, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Jio World Convention Centre, JTB Meetings & Events, Korea Tourism Organization, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Pan Pacific Hotels Group (SGA), Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.
Hosted buyer programme
Available exclusively for senior MICE decision-makers, the programme includes exclusive benefits such as hosted travel and accommodation, curated 1-to-1 meetings with exhibitors and VIP access to the event across both days, including Hosted Buyer Lounge and networking events.
Hosted buyer slots are filling up fast and buyers are encouraged to register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment at: https://www.themeetingsshow-apac.com/register
New floor layout and interactive experiences
Alongside sourcing, learning and networking, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new series of ‘experience bars’ created in partnership with Searix – Experiential Tech, LunaLab Global, Pétale Tea, The Sirius Sound™, Minifiglabs, PickyPic Photobooth and OneDollarOnly.com.sg.
Attendees can look forward to creating personalised AI generated photos and gifts such as diffuser and tea blend.
