Many Travel Trade Shows offer the opportunity for senior-level decision-makers and buyers, who mainly focus on M.I.C.E. business (meetings, incentive travel, conferences and corporate events) to apply to become hosted buyers. There are also a few trade shows that focus on the leisure travel trade, are destination-specific or aimed at corporate travel managers.

Typically, the Trade Show will cover part or all of your travel costs such as flights, rail, accommodation and transfers. In return, you will have scheduled meetings with new suppliers such as Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hotels, cruise lines and travel technology innovators. There are also numerous educational workshops, speakers and fun networking events during the show and in the evenings.  

You will need to meet the strict qualifying criteria of the trade show organisers to become a hosted buyer and participation is not guaranteed. You also need to attend all your scheduled appointments. Applications will favour new buyers who have not previously attended the trade show.

The following Trade Shows offer opportunities for buyers to apply to become a hosted buyer. Click the trade show links below to find out more information about each hosted buyer programme.

• Conventa – Ljubljana, Slovenia: 10-12 February 2026 – MICE buyers with business for Central Europe and the Baltic region
• AIME – Melbourne, Australia: 9-11 February 2026 – Focus on buyers with business for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region
• Meetings Africa – Johannesburg, South Africa: February 2026 – Focus on association, business events and MICE industry buyers with business for African destinations
• WTM Africa – Cape Town, South Africa: 13-15 April 2026 – Focus on buyers with business for African countries
• Arabian Travel Market – Dubai, UAE: May 4-7, 2026 – Focus on buyers with business for the Middle East
• IMEX Frankfurt – Germany: May 18-21, 2026 – MICE industry
• The Meetings Show – London: June 25-26, 2025 – For UK and European buyers
• IBTM Americas – Mexico City, Mexico: August 20-21, 2025 – MICE industry
• IMEX America – Las Vegas: October 7-9, 2025 – MICE industry with a focus on USA buyers mostly
• IBTM World – Barcelona, Spain: November 18-20, 2025 – MICE industry
• Qatar Travel Mart – Doha, Qatar: November 24-26, 2025 – Middle East focused buyers