Dear WuBookers, when daily life gets busy, it’s hard to find the time to keep up to date and stay abreast of industry developments. A good way to catch up and ensure you don’t miss out on trends and opportunities is to attend hospitality trade fairs: annual events in the hospitality world where industry professionals meet to discuss market trends and anticipate future solutions and directions. In this article, we’ve compiled the 10 international events to mark in your diary for the second half of 2026: ready to go?
IFTM: 15–17 September, Paris (France)
Short for International & French Travel Market, this trade fair brings together over 1,600 brands and 30,000 professionals from the French and international tourism sectors. Dedicated solely to B2B, it welcomes operators active in leisure and business tourism, as well as in MICE, alongside experts in digital technologies for the hotel industry and sustainable destinations. This year’s theme is: “The value of travel: let’s discover together what makes an impact”. Through a wide range of exhibitors and a packed programme of conferences, IFTM aims to bring back to the forefront of the debate how this value is built, structured, managed and shared within the industry.
Skift Global Forum: 22–24 September, New York City (USA)
If you want to meet the leading companies in global tourism and get a sneak peek at the changes to come, this is the right event to attend. Hospitality, as well as OTAs, airlines, finance, technology and artificial intelligence: at the Skift Global Forum, the sector’s main innovations are presented and decisions are made on the direction the market will take in the broader sense. Among the topics covered in the numerous panels scheduled for this year is a focus on destinations balancing discovery, demand and radical changes; the importance of traveller loyalty; agents based on artificial intelligence; and the importance of human relationships in creating value (and profit).
The Lodging Conference: 5–8 October, Phoenix (Arizona, USA)
We’re staying in the States but the atmosphere changes completely with The Lodging Conference, which promotes networking through three days of meetings, recreational activities, gourmet food and a casual dress code.
Don’t be fooled, however, by the event’s apparent informality; this is where new contacts are made and promising negotiations begin between owners and senior industry executives. We’re talking about over 2,900 participants from all the main segments of the American hotel industry: real estate, finance, development and franchising.
Independent Hotel Show London: 5–6 October, London (United Kingdom)
The same dates also apply to the Independent Hotel Show in London, which is specifically aimed at the luxury hotel community and boutique hotels. With over 220 selected exhibitors (including numerous premium service providers) and 6,500 participating professionals, it is the only major European event dedicated to the high-end independent segment. Here too, there is no shortage of organised sessions featuring lectures and valuable content, designed to provide inspiration, information and fresh ideas for the growth of the most sophisticated properties.
TTG Travel Experience: 14–16 October, Rimini (Italy)
Reaffirming the centrality of the human experience in tourism: this is the aim of “EXIST”, the 2026 theme of TTG Travel Experience. Italy’s leading tourism trade fair and one of Europe’s major B2B events, it brings together all the sector’s key players: from hospitality to transport, from travel agencies to technology services. It does so with a packed programme of talks and training sessions, and a selection of top-tier brands and professionals: a valuable opportunity to do business, be inspired by the latest innovations and connect with some of the market’s most renowned organisations.
IMEX America: 13–15 October, Las Vegas (Nevada, USA)
IMEX is the vertical hospitality trade fair for the MICE sector, attracting over 17,000 participants and nearly 4,000 exhibitors from more than 80 countries worldwide. A global hub focused on incentive events and corporate travel where you can forge strategic partnerships, attend conferences led by qualified professionals and get a sneak preview of new industry and client trends. The most direct channel for meeting key decision-makers with real budgets, and securing new deals and innovative ideas.
WTM: 3–5 November, London (United Kingdom)
An unmissable annual event for anyone working in the tourism sector: with over 40 editions under its belt, the World Travel Market is Europe’s leading generalist tourism trade fair and the one with the widest geographical coverage in the world. It covers the entire ecosystem: hotels, tour operators, destinations, airlines, technology; and aims to inform, entertain and influence travel industry professionals – whether seasoned or just starting out – to help them succeed and thrive.
The Hospitality Show: 2–4 November, Miami Beach (Florida, USA)
One of the newest trade fairs on the global scene, it is also the only one entirely dedicated to operational performance, profitability and the guest experience of hotels, hotel chains and agencies. A unique focus, centred on solutions to improve efficiency and increase profits thanks to the expertise of organisations and industry leaders and innovative technological tools. In Miami, hotel owners, operators, management companies, brands and professionals come together to share expertise and perspectives.
IBTM World: 17–19 November, Barcelona (Spain)
IBTM stands for Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings and, for over 30 years, has been catering to organisations and professionals seeking to offer new experiences in this specific market segment. The figures are promising: 2,500 agencies, hotels, event technology providers and suppliers from over 150 countries. For those managing properties with conference facilities or wishing to reach the MICA audience – the organisers assure us – this is a key event.
The Phocuswright Conference: 17–19 November, Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA)
This is the event where travel tech and distribution trends are previewed, perfect for those wishing to understand the direction the market will take over the next 2–3 years. The 2026 theme is particularly significant: “Pressures. Power. Pivots”. A title that invites shared reflection on artificial intelligence, the power of platforms, travellers’ expectations and new regulations, and how all these elements together are transforming the travel system. Adapting and finding effective solutions is the new challenge that participants at the November event are called upon to address.
Why attend hotel trade fairs?
These are just some of the most important events, but the list could go on. There are, in fact, countless local initiatives and international trade fairs, and the advice is to choose those most in line with your property or with its ambitions for growth and development. For example, HITEC Europe in Paris – a trade fair dedicated to technology for the hospitality sector – might not be the right choice for a traditional hotel, but it is certainly an option worth considering for those with a more developed tech-savvy streak or who intend to implement advanced solutions.
Generally speaking, these events offer an opportunity to get to know new businesses up close and expand your network of contacts, with potentially interesting commercial implications. Another good reason to attend is to draw inspiration from others: trade fair exhibitors are often established brands with extensive resources and capabilities, serving as a source of ideas and solutions that can be adapted even on a small scale or aspired to in the long term. Furthermore, these events often feature talks and opportunities for analysis and discussion with other industry professionals: a very effective way to gauge the ‘pulse’ of the sector, broaden your horizons and understand how things are going beyond your own individual experience. Keeping up with the latest developments, staying ahead of the competition and being prepared when changes occur: hospitality trade fairs offer numerous benefits if you attend with the right mindset. That’s why it’s worth attending a few throughout the year: they might even make for a good excuse to treat yourself to a little off-season break!