CHICAGO — The Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE), which is owned and operated by Canada-based Newcom Media, is taking place August 11-12 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the event.
The show, which sold out its slightly expanded show floor in mid-April, will feature more than 330 exhibitor booths and 600-plus companies in total exhibiting. Current registration levels are up 19% year over year.
Leaning into Nostalgia
For the event’s 35th edition, the team is leaning into a sense of nostalgia for its marketing. Shapiro said that attendees will be treated to a reminder of the past years of the show, dating back to 1991, as they enter.
The team has been running a nostalgia campaign with past attendees, exhibitors and speakers, and will continue it on the show floor.
“We also have some other tricks up our sleeves,” said Shawn Shapiro, Show Manager of CMEE.
Educational Benefits
Along with the exhibition floor, CMEE also offers an educational program featuring sessions and workshops that are pre-qualified with the Events Industry Council to help attendees earn CE hours toward their CMP designation.
“We are excited for our CMEE Select sessions that you would need to do a bit of homework before, learn and then afterward get a takeaway,” Shapiro said. “We are thrilled to welcome Princess Castleberry as a speaker, Leanne Calderwood, NASCAR Driver Amber Balcaen and so many others.”
The team is also trying out a new education format: Keynote + VIP Think Tank, which will be a 10-minute keynote that turns into a live industry discussion.
Related. Freeman’s Learning Trends Report Reveals What Attendees Value at In-Person Educational Experiences
“Beyond the show floor, it is our second CMEE VIP Breakfast on Day 2. This would be a way for attendees to connect and then get right in there with a hands-on CE accredited workshop,” Shapiro said. “This year, it is a Vibe Coding workshop with Dahlia El Gazzar, Chief Ruckusmaker at DAHLIA+ Agency. The workshop gets attendees into the action, to really keep them engaged and have them walk away with something they can use.”
Expo Floor Highlights
The technology highlights don’t end with the Vibe Coding workshop though.
“We also have the Skills + Spark — the Events Solutions Hub, curated by Dahlia, where attendees can not only upskill, but explore practical ideas and new approaches with some amazing tech companies,” Shapiro shared.
Among the more than 330 booths at the show will be the team from Messegelände Hannover, a super excited first-time exhibitor at CMEE this year. Attendees can stop by booth #406 to meet their team, discover the event spaces the venue offers and exchange ideas with this international host. The team will also be giving out fun swag to booth visitors.
Featured Photo Credit: Shutterb
