‘No Scotland, No Party’ at The Meetings Show 2026

Strong results for Team Scotland

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Scotland stand delivered 250 pre-scheduled appointments and welcomed approximately 450 visitors, highlighting continued demand for Scotland as a leading business events destination.

The Meetings Show is the UK’s leading exhibition connecting international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) buyers with destinations, venues and suppliers.

Across the two-day tradeshow, the Scotland stand delivered 250 pre-scheduled appointments and welcomed approximately 450 visitors, highlighting continued demand for Scotland as a leading business events destination.

With early indicators pointing to another year-on-year increase in business events opportunities for Scotland, attention now turns to following up those leads and converting them into future business for Scotland.

Martin Rhodes MP during his visit to the VisitScotland stand

Showcasing Scotland’s business events strength

Team Scotland brought together a strong representation of the country’s business events offering, including convention bureaux, hotels, conference centres and event venues.

Partners attending this year’s show included Apex Hotels, Cameron House, Crossbasket Castle, Edinburgh Convention Bureau, Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), Glasgow Convention Bureau, Kimpton Blythswood Square and voco Grand Central Glasgow, Marine & Lawn, Old Course Hotel St Andrews, P&J Live, SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and The Hoxton Edinburgh.

Throughout the exhibition, partners highlighted Scotland’s capability to host a diverse range of events, from major international association congresses to incentive travel programmes, corporate meetings and business events of all sizes.

The Meetings Show was officially opened by Martin Rhodes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG). During his visit to the VisitScotland stand, he met with exhibiting partners and discussed the success of Scotland’s presence at the show, recognising the impact of the country’s strong attendance and vibrant stand in showcasing its leading events offering.

AIEA team, Scottish partners and VS Business Events at The Meetings Show 2026

Building connections beyond the exhibition floor

Alongside the one-to-one appointments, VisitScotland strengthened engagement with buyers through a programme of networking activities designed to create additional opportunities for our Scottish partners.

The team hosted an exclusive brunch for the Alliance of Independent Event Agencies (AIEA) and AMEX Global Business Travel, providing partners with valuable opportunities to deepen existing relationships, meet new buyers and continue conversations beyond scheduled appointments.

Networking lunches, industry meetings and stakeholder engagement throughout the event further reinforced Scotland’s reputation as a collaborative and trusted destination partner.

Scotland reception at The Meetings Show 2026

‘No Scotland, No Party’ reception

One of the standout moments of The Meetings Show was the ‘No Scotland, No Party’ Scotland vs Brazil Reception, held on the opening day ahead of the football match.

The reception attracted approximately 200 attendees and created a vibrant atmosphere for networking and relationship-building.

Guests were welcomed with themed Scottish and Brazilian cocktails, while Pipe Major Roddy Deans entertained attendees with a bespoke musical performance blending Scottish and Brazilian influences. The event captured the spirit of celebration and hospitality for which Scotland is renowned on the global stage.

Meet Boston and VS Business Events teams at The Meetings Show 2026

Scotland’s warm welcome on display

Throughout the exhibition, Team Scotland focused on showcasing the qualities that define the country’s business events offering.

Scotland’s warmth, hospitality, humour, care and collaborative approach were central themes across appointments and networking activities, giving buyers a first-hand experience of the values that underpin Scotland’s business events sector.

The team also enjoyed reconnecting with international partners, including our friends at Meet Boston, helping to strengthen the friendships and warm welcome associated with Scotland’s famous "Tartan Army" and the Scottish spirit it brought to the city during the World Cup.

The Meetings Show provided an opportunity to highlight Scotland’s world-class business events infrastructure and showcase the people, partnerships and passion that continue to set the country apart in an increasingly competitive international marketplace.

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The Meetings Show 2026 has further strengthened Scotland’s position as a leading global business events destination.

Looking ahead

With hundreds of productive buyer meetings completed and a significant number of new leads generated, The Meetings Show 2026 has further strengthened Scotland’s position as a leading global business events destination.

As follow-up activity begins and opportunities progress into confirmed business, the trade show has once again demonstrated the strength of Scotland’s collaborative business events community and the enduring appeal of its world-famous welcome.

Mark your calendars for 23 - 24 June 2027, we'll see you again at The Meetings Show 2027. Until then, if you would like to explore future opportunities for your business or are looking for a destination to host your next event, please get in touch with our team.