The meetings industry produced a roar of confidence as event professionals descended on the Lion City in their thousands for The Meetings Show Asia Pacific 2026 (TMS APAC).
The flagship business events trade show reinforced Asia Pacific’s position as one of the
world’s most dynamic and resilient markets for the meetings and events industry.
Held at the
Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore, the show - now in its third edition - demonstrated
strong growth, with deeper regional participation and a significant uplift in
business outcomes, underscoring the industry’s momentum amid global challenges.
Organised by Northstar
Travel Group and co-located with the inaugural Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) Luxury Asia Pacific and second edition of Business Travel Show
Asia Pacific,
TMS APAC brought together 1,913 meetings and travel professionals, with over
600 buyers from more than 80 countries, marking a 10 per cent increase from 2025.
“The Meetings Show Asia
Pacific has become a powerful barometer for where the global MICE industry is
heading,” said Jason Young, CEO of Northstar Travel Group. “The level of
business activity, engagement and innovation seen here reflects the strength of
Asia Pacific and its growing influence in shaping what comes next for our
industry. Across the show floor and throughout the programme, what stands out
is the confidence, adaptability and partnership mindset driving the region
forward, even in a complex global environment.”
Irene Chua, VP and Group Publisher, Asia, Northstar Travel Group, added: “The strong growth and quality
of engagement at this year’s show highlight Asia Pacific’s continued importance
to the global MICE industry, with TMS APAC serving as the leading MICE trade
show for industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and drive
meaningful business outcomes.”
In her opening address, Guest-of-Honour,
Ong Huey Hong, assistant CEO of the Industry Development Group,
Singapore Tourism Board, noted that the MICE industry continues to
demonstrate resilience and adaptability, finding innovative ways to bring
people together to collaborate. She added that Singapore remains committed to
providing a stable, reliable platform for global organisations to partner and
build for the future, and called on the industry to forge new connections,
dream boldly and drive innovation.
A key value driver of the
event was its curated Buyer Programme, which facilitated high-quality
connections and tangible business opportunities. Reflecting the breadth of the
industry, new participants such as Korea Tourism Organization, Hilton, Malaysia
Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Budapest Convention Bureau – HUNGEXPO
Budapest Congress and Exhibition Centre, Destination Vancouver, Spain Tourism
Board, Aichi
Sky Expo, AYANA Resort Bali, Banyan Group, and Bintan Resorts brought fresh
energy to the show.
They joined a strong
line-up of returning and key exhibitors, including Japan National Tourism
Organization, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Millennium
Hotels & Resorts, JTB Meetings & Events, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Seibu
Prince Hotels & Resorts, Singapore Tourism Board, Business Events Sarawak,
Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR (IPIM), Tourism
Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, Jeju Tourism Organization, Kyoto Convention
& Visitors Bureau, ProColombia, and Visit Monaco, collectively reinforcing
the depth and diversity of the show floor.
Building on the success of
its previous editions, TMS APAC 2026 continues to expand both in scale and
strategic relevance. Mandy Pham, director of Sales at New World Hotels &
Resorts Vietnam noted that since participating in the inaugural show, they
have generated many potential leads, with a good number already converted into
business, underscoring the event’s effectiveness in driving tangible business
outcomes.
Returning exhibitor Yasuhiro
Umeda, Specialist, Bidding and Promotion Division, Kyoto Convention &
Visitors Bureau, said that discussions progressed rapidly from initial
engagement to fully developed event concepts, highlighting how effectively TMS
APAC connects needs with solutions within a short time frame.
Insook Lee, executive
director, Korea MICE Bureau, Korea Tourism
Organisation,
shared: “It is our first time attending TMS APAC. A total of 21 organisations
form our pavilion to promote Korea to global buyers. We found the event very
meaningful as a platform to showcase Asia as a hub for MICE events and
meetings.”
Cynthia Sitompul,
assistant director of MICE and Wedding, AYANA Resort Bali, expressed her positive
experience at the show as a first-time participant: “TMS APAC has been very
productive. The show’s size strikes the right balance for buyers and sellers to
come together. Singapore remains a strong hub, and the timing and location of
the show have been ideal for us to showcase our upcoming AYANA Convention Centre.”
Richard Soo, managing
director of MEP Meeting & Exhibition Planners, Malaysia, said: “At TMS APAC,
I have been able to build the right connections and partnerships. The show
brings a high concentration of credible suppliers and key players in Asia
Pacific. The region is the place to be for the business event industry, and
this is where we will have the greatest impact.”
