International Confex 2026 has released a preview of its agenda. With 9 conference theatres, over 60 sessions and over 200 speakers, this year is shaping up to provide any event planners with the knowledge to succeed in 2026.
The next edition of Confex takes place on 26-27 February at Excel London. There’s a lot for industry professionals to unpack right now and Confex is the place to do it.
Here are some standout sessions:
What Keeps Event Leaders Awake at Night – and How the Industry Responds
Day 2, 10:00 – Events Unplugged
Senior organisers talk openly about rising costs, staff shortages and market pressure. The session looks at what’s driving these challenges and how organisers are adapting to keep shows stable.
Hosted Liars – The Breakdown in the Hosted Buyer Model
Day 1, 11:00 – Exhibition HQ
A closer look at why the hosted buyer format is struggling. The discussion covers attendance issues, verification systems and how organisers can make meetings more reliable again.
Why event technology still needs a human touch
Day 2, 14:00 – AI & Data Zone
With automation on the rise, how do we preserve the human element in event technology? This reflective session brings together planners and technologists to explore how empathy, creativity and intuition still define the most memorable event experiences, regardless of the platform.
Guilt-free green guidance: a blueprint for launching sustainable events without the finger pointing
Day 2, 10:00 – People & Planet
Sustainability shouldn’t feel like a guilt trip. This session offers clear, accessible guidance for launching greener events, without the judgement or jargon. Whether you're just starting out or refreshing an existing approach, we’ll walk through the essential principles, common pitfalls, and simple changes that add up to real impact. Hear from planners and partners who’ve made sustainability part of their process without losing sight of creativity, audience experience or commercial goals. A must for anyone who wants to make progress, not perfection.
These sessions get to the heart of what’s changing for events. Register your place today so you don’t miss them.
Registration and further details are available here: https://bit.ly/InternationalConfex2026-RegisterHERE
