After two decades of refining the art of connection through M&I Forums, we began asking a simple question: what if our principles of curation and meaningful interaction could be applied to the largest stages in MICE? This sparked a reimagining of what large, legacy MICE exhibitions could be. How could we harness the power of scale while still mastering the art of connection?
From that ambition, M&I Expo was born.
In a global MICE industry dominated by large-scale exhibitions, the challenge has become clear: how do you maintain scale while delivering measurable ROI and meaningful connections?
The success of the established MICE expositions has long been measured by numbers: how many delegates attend, how many meetings are held, how many business cards are exchanged. But in a landscape where time is limited and budgets are scrutinised, high footfall doesn’t always mean high-value leads. The smartest event professionals now look beyond volume to what truly matters: quality connections that convert.
We’re witnessing a shift across the global events industry, where exhibitors no longer equate a packed stand with productivity. Instead, they’re demanding more meaningful engagement and measurable ROI. As the market matures, “fewer, better” has become the new benchmark for success. The challenge is in delivering that precision without losing the size and excitement that make exhibitions thrive. And that’s where M&I Expo comes in.
Exclusively designed for the MICE 1,000 (a curated network of senior decision-makers from across the global MICE landscape) M&I Expo prioritises quality over quantity at every level. Its unique format brings M&I’s signature pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings, hosted lunches, and relaxed evening socials to the MICE exhibition, creating space for authentic relationship-building that extends far beyond the exhibition floor.
From 14–16 April 2026, M&I Expo will transform Abu Dhabi into the beating heart of the MICE industry. Attendees will experience a programme built on productivity and purpose, combining the energy of a large-scale exhibition with the intimacy of targeted networking.
While traditional exhibitions chase crowd numbers, M&I Expo guarantees up to 35 highly relevant, pre-qualified meetings. The important word here is “relevant.” With less than a 1% buyer no-show rate compared to the 30% industry average, it’s proof that fewer, better connections deliver higher returns. This principle is already proven through M&I Forums, where exhibiting partners generate an average of six RFPs per event.
Our precise blend of technology and human discernment plays a crucial role. M&I’s AI powered matchmaking and dedicated team of personal Meeting Concierges ensure that every exhibitor meets buyers who have business to place. This is not a show for browsers although there are plenty of opportunities for more ‘serendipitous’ encounters. It’s a model that can guarantee quality, intentional meetings as well as maximised, purposeful encounters beyond the booth.
Exhibitors still benefit from the impact of a large-scale exhibition and can showcase their brand through stands, booths, or table meetings. This gives them flexibility in how they engage, whether through immersive visual storytelling or focused one-to-one conversations. It’s a format designed to deliver both presence and purpose.
True networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about cultivating connections. Like any strong structure, the foundation matters more than the façade. A broad circle of acquaintances is valuable, but a smaller circle of meaningful relationships, where people respond, collaborate, and follow through, is what turns introductions into real influence.
Take fine dining. It’s never about how much food is on the table, it’s about how well it is prepared. The same principle drives M&I Expo’s approach: precision, intention, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Exhibitors meet exactly who they need to meet, buyers discover precisely what they’re looking for, and everyone leaves with results that resonate long after the event closes.
At the large MICE exhibitions, attendees choose their own meetings, which often leads to overscheduled diaries and inconsistent results. Our curated meeting model delivers a schedule built for substance: guaranteed high-quality, pre-qualified connections that translate into genuine business opportunities. Here, success isn’t measured by crowd size but by outcomes: new partnerships, deeper trust, and tangible business growth. One truly aligned partnership can be more valuable than a hundred surface-level introductions.
M&I Expo doesn’t aim to replace traditional trade shows; it transforms them. By combining the energy of large-scale exhibitions with the efficiency of curated, qualified meetings, it marks a new benchmark for the future of MICE exhibitions.
© M&I is part of Worldwide Events Group Ltd, which includes PLE, 1st Floor, 5-7 Marshalsea Rd, London, SE1 1EP
Affiliate company: White Label Travel
14-16 April 2026 | Abu Dhabi
American buyers
24 - 28 Feb | Austria
Foster new cross-continental business relationships
Global curators
29 Mar - 1 Apr 2026 | Italy
The ultimate event for luxury incentive travel
Open your property up to a new range of events and opportunities by taking advantage of an online assessment created by our event partner, Healthcare Venues, which will determine if your venue is capable of hosting healthcare meetings and events.
If your property passes, you’ll receive Healthcare Venue certification, verifying you to our buyer network as a specialist healthcare venue.
Tim Chudley
Managing Director, Sundial Group
