PRESENTS
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CREATING CONNECTIONS WITH PURPOSE: The BestCities Global Alliance’s annual Forum was delayed from December 2023 to coincide with the Australian Tennis Open, in Melbourne, in January where international associations and the 13 member cities of the Alliance convened to advance positive impact and social legacies from their meetings. Loren Christie, managing director of the Alliance…
In a candid interview from Sydney, New South Wales, the General Manager of Content, Creative & Corporate Affairs at Business Events Sydney – Carolin Lenehan – shares the conversation that is now being had between her organisation and government – a conversation that The Iceberg would urge all DMOs to share with their city, state,…
Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sarawak and The Iceberg Ambassador Amelia Roziman ABS CIS combines with GainingEdge Chairman, Gary Grimmer, to share the success of her organisation as she prepares to host of the first ever ICCA Association Impact Masterclass being held in Kuching in April. Alignment to the 10-Year Development Strategy of the…
From AMI Magazine: New Zealand is strengthening its reputation as it puts science and innovation at the top of its agenda. And it’s proving attractive for associations bringing their conferences to its capital city, Wellington. Wellington boasts the largest research, science and innovation workforce in New Zealand. Whether it’s life sciences, climate innovation, or the…
At IBTM World in Barcelona, the architects of the ICCA Association Impact Masterclass confirmed that the educational is to take place in Kuching from 25-27th April. A 2-day immersive educational designed and delivered by GainingEdge and #Meet4Impact, the Masterclass is appropriately being unveiled in the ‘Legacy Capital’ of Malaysia and Borneo and hosted by its…
From Boardroom: In the heart of Darling Harbour in Sydney, the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) stands out not only as a top-tier venue for international gatherings but also as a paragon of corporate responsibility and ethical conduct. Anchoring its operational philosophy firmly on the principle of respect, ICC Sydney has taken significant strides…
2024 will see the Business Events Industry exceed pre-pandemic levels of turnover and attendance as the demand for in-person business, professional, and policy engagement continues with alacrity. But as PCMA CEO, Sherrif Karamat famously reminded The Iceberg at the beginning of the recovery, “the time to buy an umbrella is when the sun shines.” So…
AIME (Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Exhibition) held annually in Melbourne, Australia, is just around the corner. The event organiser, Matt Pearce, gave The Iceberg some insight into the sudden proliferation of events being staged in the region. China and India are both showing demand for outbound, Pearce confirmed, and subject to developing the connection between…
From Conference & Meetings World: New Zealand is strengthening its reputation as it puts climate action, science and innovation at the top of its agenda. And it’s proving attractive for associations bringing their conferences to its capital city, Wellington. The country has a master plan to deliver a productive, sustainable and inclusive future through tackling…
From AMI: Like a lot of international conferences run by American professional bodies, the biannual International C. elegans Conference was firmly planted in American soil. The international in its title referred to the audience profile, not where it was held. But that all changed last year when organisers, who had been mulling the possibility of…
From Simpleview: For the last decade, tourism organizations globally have been moving toward a more local, engaged, and citizen-focused model. As we set our sights on regenerative tourism, sustainability, accessibility, and a virtuous visitor economy, the question remains — how do we generate the engagement and alliances in our communities that are needed for success?…
From AMI: As associations become more focused on people and planet, Holly Patrick looks at how sustainable subvention initiatives are paving the way for greener gatherings… In the hyper-competitive international meetings market, “subventions and financial grants are super important,” says Elena Fis, sustainability officer at congress organiser Kenes group. “A lot of destinations have significant…
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From Newswire: The Palais des congrès de Montréal is proud to announce the naming of 14 new Ambassadors who were honoured during its 34th Ambassadors’ Gala on April 4. Thanks to the commitment of these individuals, Montréal will be hosting 12 major conventions between 2024 and 2028. For 40 years, the Palais des congrès de…
From M&IT: A revised version of the international standard for sustainable event management has been published, with a stronger emphasis on legacy, human rights, and compliance. Pioneered by the organising committee for the Olympic Games London 2012, ISO 20121 has become a lodestar for organisations, big or small, wanting to produce sustainable events. The standard…
From CloserStill Media: London, United Kingdom – CloserStill Media, the producer of market-leading business events, exhibitions and conferences, has acquired a majority stake in Elite Exhibitions. Terms are not disclosed. World’s leading US and European cruise ship design trade shows join CSM’s rapidly expanding Future Transport and Infrastructure group. Elite Exhibitions produce the annual Cruise…
From BBC: Five standout cities making the world a better place | The Global Destination Sustainability Index reveals the destinations that are working towards a sustainable and lower-carbon future. With time running out to keep global temperature to a 1.5C rise – above which, experts warn, consequences could include far hotter days, higher sea-levels and…
From Australian Business Events Association: An announcement by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State Senator the Hon Don Farrell (pictured above) said the Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to better measure the contribution of business events to the Australian economy through the development of a new business events…
From TSNN: Last June, nearly 100 business events industry leaders and advocates went to Capitol Hill to ask their members of Congress to do three important things: Encourage the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to finish its proposed anti-scammer rule; Advance legislation to help our industry train the next generation workforce; Introduce legislation to help bring…
From German Convention Bureau: Emerging opportunities, persisting classics, fading models: business events in a transformative era. This year’s research phase of the Future Meeting Space innovation network – the result of a collaboration between the GCB German Convention Bureau and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO – focuses on the question: “What’s coming, what’s…
From Conference & Meetings World: In a move that is seen as a big bet on, and boost for business travel, global travel software and services company American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CWT, a global business travel and solutions provider. The transaction…
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, applauds the inclusion of supplemental funding for the U.S. Department of State to reduce visa wait times as part of a six-bill package of fiscal year 2024 government funding bills. The legislation provides the U.S. Department of State $50 million…
From Exhibition World: Reports from Moscow have said at least 137 people were dead and more than 150 wounded after terrorists opened fire on people attending a rock concert at Crocus City Hall, 22 March. The hall is situated in the city region suburb of Krasnogorsk. The concert hall was opened in 2009 and is…
From Boardroom: Destination Canada announced the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a new initiative aimed at enhancing Canada’s role as a leading destination for international conventions and business events. Supported by a $50 million investment from the 2023 Federal Budget, this program aligns with the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy’s objective to advance Canada’s tourism industry.
Adapting to change is a top priority for association planners today – whether it’s shifting member needs and demographics, or balancing budgets, policies and partnerships. It’s a topic that runs throughout Association Focus, sponsored by Amsterdam Convention Bureau – a dedicated day of education for association professionals. Taking place on Monday May 13, the day…
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From SFA Connect: Mission Innovation, a workshop on hydrogen energy and the national gas grid, was held in Chester, UK in 2019. This event brought together experts from across the world, to share best practice and combine ideas on how to overcome challenges within the energy industry. Participants represented governments, industry and the research community…
The World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC), hosted in various BestCities destinations, has been a beacon of hope and progress for individuals with Down syndrome. By bringing together families, professionals, and self-advocates, the Congress has fostered a global community dedicated to inclusion and advocacy. Each congress, organized by Down Syndrome International, has been a platform for…
From PCMA: Rooted in New York but reaching the world online, the Grow-NY Competition and Summit provides $3 million in funding for innovative startups working throughout the agrifood ecosystem, from new farming technologies to ready-to-eat food products. No one understands the importance of proper cultivation better than those who work in the food and agriculture…
This case study reveals the impacts upon researchers, neurologists, patients, carers, and victims of Parkinson’s disease at the World Parkinson’s Coalition (WPC) Congress held last year in Barcelona. It is also a product of the serendipity of two wholly unconnected business events because the opportunity to capture the intended impacts of the WPC’s Parkinson’s Ready…
From BestCities Global Alliance: The 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems in Melbourne, 2016, showcased ITS Australia’s expertise and fostered government and community engagement in intelligent transportation. Prioritizing diversity and strategic networking, it achieved significant industry growth, policy influence, and youth engagement. This event exemplifies the lasting benefits of hosting international congresses for industry…
From Göteborg & Co: Small steps towards a healthier lifestyle – a Gothenburg Way to Legacy project: The International Forum is one of the world’s leading health care meetings, inspiring healthcare leaders, practitioners and patients towards a better, safer and higher quality of care. Furthermore, the meeting has a strong population health prevention and promotion…
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From M&IT: Although booking more new business, meeting planners from Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), are less optimistic than their counterparts in North America and Asia. That’s one of the striking findings from the first Northstar/Cvent industry Pulse survey for the EMEA region. They are also way ahead of their peers in other parts…
From Conference & Meetings World: The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has published its annual member statistical survey covering the previous year, 2023. IAPCO worked with the annual return data provided by members, who reported delivering over £12.15bn (US$15.22bn) of economic impact into destinations around the globe in 2023. In addition, the association…
This latest First Look Research survey by Northstar Meetings Group, sponsored by IHG Group, suggests remote working is now a permanent fixture for event professionals, with only six per cent of employers who made the switch to hybrid during the pandemic enforcing a full-time return to the office. In fact, just over one in ten…
From Destinations International: DI’s landmark study, Destination Promotion: An Engine of Economic Development, confirmed that destinations with substantial visitor economies tend to outperform their peers, making destination promotion a true engine of economic development. Ten years later, we update and expand this research to demonstrate the far-reaching positive impacts of destination promotion, extending beyond the…
ICCA, the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry, has unveiled a reflective and forward-looking report featuring video interviews with leaders from the business events and international association sectors, with animated graphics to illustrate how international business events have grown over the period. Beginning with David Goodger, managing director EMEA at…
From PCMA: Business events industry respondents to the latest PCMA EMEA Engagement Survey said that the No. 1 priority for their employers is collaboration and strategic partnerships. Meanwhile, opportunities to collaborate with their peers was often cited by event organizers as the one thing they would like to see at an industry event. This emphasis…
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By Rafat Ali, CEO/Founder, Skift: My life has been creating, building, covering (editorially), speaking and attending industry conferences for the better part of two decades now, as part of the two companies I have built. And this has always bothered me: how little thought goes into on-stage programming, into the in-room attendee experience, into the…
By Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director, Business Events | Destination Canada: Five years from now, the meeting industry has made notable strides towards sustainability, navigating a landscape shaped by both challenges and opportunities. Spurred by both government regulations and technological advancements, government regulations mandating stringent environmental standards have catalyzed a movement within the industry, driving…
From the BestCities Global Forum, hosted in January by Melbourne, its Convention Bureau Chief Executive, Julia Swanson, reflects on the values alignment now being demanded by future members of professional societies and associations. Cultural alignment, a sense of purpose, and creating long lasting community impacts are top of mind for the next generation, she says….
From the BestCities Global Forum in Melbourne earlier this year, Strategic Membership Solutions’ owner, Belinda Moore, was perhaps the pick of the speakers on view. Covering 9 challenges that keep association executives awake at night, the editor of Associations Evolve shares her insights with The Iceberg. Destinations that embrace the association challenges will succeed…
By Veemal Gungadin, CEO of Gevme | Tech Entrepreneur: As event professionals, you pour your hearts and souls into crafting unforgettable experiences. You curate engaging speakers, design thought-provoking workshops, and foster a dynamic environment for idea exchange. But here’s a sobering truth: the magic often fades as quickly as the last attendee leaves. Hours of…
From PCMA: Women make up 70 percent of the global events industry workforce yet hold only 16 percent of the top management positions, according to a new research report. We talked to Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis- Smith, who spearheaded the report with the PCMA Foundation, about what can — and should — be…
From Access All Areas, by Christopher Barrett: The Event Production Show conference saw key stakeholders in the world’s first carbon removed arena shows reveal the work involved in the project, how removal compares to reduction and offsetting, and why it could become an essential approach for the live events industry. A partnership between AEG Europe,…
From Property Council of Australia, by Prof. Greg Clark: To set the scene to next week’s Future Cities Summit, world renowned urbanist Greg Clark has penned an essay addressing the core issues on the Summit agenda: This future cities agenda does not just imagine a world of hyper competition between 10,000 cities. It also anticipates…
Join us for our season premiere as we welcome Laura Caprioli, Growth & Stakeholder Manager at VisitBritain. Laura returns to delve deeper into the groundbreaking legacy toolkit, a must-know for partner destinations. If you missed Season 1, catch up on Episode 7! In this episode, Laura gives us a crash course on the legacy toolkit…
From The Sydney Morning Herald: Great discoveries – the ones that alter the course of human history – rarely happen with the sudden “Eureka!” moment you see in the movies: a lone inventor’s sudden flash of genius, giving birth to a fully formed breakthrough no one has ever thought of before. In the real world,…
In an interview with Boardroom, Gerda Marie Rist, the Lead of Copenhagen Legacy Lab, shares her unique journey and the innovative work being done at the Lab. With a rich background in pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and roles within the healthcare and life science industries, Gerda Marie discusses how the Legacy Lab leverages strategic conference planning…
From Destinations International, by Jack Johnson: Every year, the Academy Awards airs in late winter (this year, it is March 10). For non-movie lovers, this is the annual event held by the United States-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to present its Academy Awards of Merit, better known as the Oscars. The awards…
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The AIPC Academy is the only comprehensive professional development program specifically serving the needs of international convention centre managers! Designed to address the critical need for centres to maintain fully qualified staff in a highly competitive industry, the AIPC Academy provides a targeted, cost effective form of training and development along with the means to…
Co-created by ICCA, Meet4Impact and GainingEdge, the Association Impact Masterclass is a new groundbreaking training programme, aligning seamlessly with the ICCASkills certification programme. This initiative will add valuable enhanced capabilities to the skillsets of association professionals worldwide, enabling them to design, deliver, and measure the impacts of their activities. Associations play a crucial role globally…
At IMEX you can enjoy expert education, explore the latest event trends and experience your most productive days of the year. Whether you’re an events newbie or a pro (or anything in between), IMEX 2024 is exactly where you need to be. And as an added bonus – attendance is completely free.
ICCASkills Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) Course | Unlock your potential and elevate your career. This course is designed for early and mid-level professionals, or young graduates wanting to gain hands-on knowledge about the industry and become a specialist in the field. No minimum experience required. Gain insights and knowledge on all aspects of the…
UFI and MBB-Consulting Group (MBB) are working to provide this industry education programme for exhibition organisers: the UFI-Exhibition Management School (UFI-EMS). The curriculum was developed jointly with the UFI community, making it a programme designed by exhibition organisers for exhibition organisers. Target Group: Mid to Senior representatives from Exhibition Organising Companies; Language: English; Format: Online…
The CityDNA Summer School provides great insights into the structure and functioning of the Meetings Industry. Our programme, filled with up-to-date and cutting edge examples of European best practice, lays out a comprehensive framework for you to build your expertise in one of the tourism industry’s most lucrative sector. It is perfect for those just…
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. The Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program prepares senior executives to lead…
Attracting, retaining, and growing talent is a global challenge for our industry, not only in Canada but worldwide. One way of addressing this challenge is providing the upcoming leaders of convention centres with unique professional education, focusing on their specific needs. That is why Convention Centres of Canada and AIPC decided to co-create a Canadian…
Discover how Singapore, as a premiere business event destination, can help you organize impactful conferences. In this special Knowledge Capital Boardroom MiniCourse, Carrie Kwik, Executive Director Europe, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, explains what makes Singapore so special when it comes to organizing high-quality association events that will have long-lasting legacies both for your organization…
Currently, only a small number of destinations have clearly defined legacy and impact strategies and use outcome and impact indicators to monitor their non-financial performance. Go to the next level of performance: learn the latest social impact theories and approaches to enable you to develop a robust impact strategy and implement measurement processes to monitor…
On-demand education from experienced industry professionals: This series of lessons can be reviewed at your own pace, on-demand, saving your progress as you go. At the end, you will take a quiz on what you’ve learned to receive a certificate of completion for CMP credits.
Become an authority on live stream and digital events; master the art of event measurement, from event conception to post-event debrief; crack the code on producing hybrid events that work for your organization’s needs, budget, and technology; solve complex business challenges with innovation-driven strategic solutions – study on-the-go and on your schedule with PCMA…
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The Business of Events is where you will meet and join a like-minded community of relentless innovators and trailblazers who thrive on creating meaningful human connections and leverage events masterfully to drive business growth and social change. We will explore new thinking and research on changing consumer behaviours; delve into the art and science of…
Held annually, the UFI MEA Conference is the most important annual gathering of exhibition industry leaders in the region. It is attended by senior representatives from government entities, convention bureaus, tourism boards, venues, and event organisers, in addition to economists, media and industry experts, from across the world. The conference will feature panel sessions and…
Join us for this event and be part of the dialogue between the Meetings Industry and European policymakers to achieve a positive impact for society and destinations. The EU Dialogue offers the opportunity to highlight the key roles, impacts and challenges of the Meetings Industry in Europe and debate about the changes and transition that…
The Meetings Show unveils a new and exciting event, taking place in a destination known for its corporate hospitality, Singapore, showcasing the best of Asia Pacific. With multiple award-winning innovative event spaces, Singapore is one of the leading destinations for MICE globally, and winners of Best MICE Destination (Asia) at the M&C Asia Stella Awards…
Small & Boutique Meetings — Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings — bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs and other suppliers ready to welcome smaller events. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group. Learn from,…
We are so excited to work with Bologna to welcome you in this wonderful Italian city and can’t wait to discover its many wonders together. Its favorable location, affordability, the quality of its accommodation and conference facilities and the variety and flair of its social life are just some of the reasons why Bologna is…
Incentive Live offers a compelling agenda that makes this event a must-attend for industry professionals. In addition to one-on-one appointments with top incentive destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, merchandise and technology providers, gift cards, and tourism offices, Incentive Live presents leading industry experts providing the latest perspective on industry trends and best practices that…
For each of the past 18 years, the AIPC Sales and Marketing Summit has proven to be the perfect kick-off for member participation in IMEX and all the client and industry interactions it entails. Summit participants have the opportunity to compare notes on current issues, consider the latest industry trends and hear from representatives of…
At the occasion of IMEX Frankfurt, the CityDNA Meetings Industry Knowledge Group would like to invite you and your colleagues from the Convention Bureau to attend a session specifically curated to exchange and discuss current challenges amongst peers, before a networking reception. This CVB Café will take place on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Frankfurt.
IMEX is where the global business events community comes together for four exhilarating days every year. Where more than 3,800 meeting planners meet with 2,900 suppliers from every corner of the globe. This is where powerful business connections that offer real ROI are made. Where you can enjoy expert education, explore the latest event trends…
The EsportsTravel Summit is the world’s largest gathering of esports tournament and video-game event organizers and the only event focused on the travel side of the esports industry. Launched in conjunction with the TEAMS Conference & Expo in 2017, the EsportsTravel Summit was an immediate success because it helped fill an information vacuum that exists…
The ninth edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) will be held under the theme “Exhibitions are catalysts to sustainable futures”. Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of June, all interested in increasing the visibility of the exhibitions industry regionally and on a global scale are invited to participate. The GED 2024 theme reinforces the role…
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Aileen has worked in the meetings industry for over 20 years, initially in venue sales for Glasgow Museums, then in a variety of roles within the Conventions team at the Tourist Board, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and is currently the Head of Tourism and Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Glasgow Life. The Glasgow Convention Bureau…
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Loren Christie brings more than 25 years of experience in Tourism & Hospitality to his role as Managing Director of the BestCities Global Alliance. He held various leadership positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts during his 17 year career with them including Director of Sales for International Congress, Business Transient and Leisure Sales at the…
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Marta Gomes has spent nearly 20 years working in the international events and meetings industry. She has collaborated extensively with professors, association executives and destination partners to attract international congresses to Paris, one of the leading global destinations for international events. As Deputy Executive Director Sales, she is charge of sales and business development for…
Working out of both USA and Netherlands; projects in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America, with a mix of clients including IMEX, UFI, SITE and other international associations and meetings companies. Expert Advisor to tech start-up Kubify, Strategic Relations Advisor to IASP, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and International Advisor to…
Jane loves life in the Nordics and the spirit of Scotland. Her expertise is based on 20 years of experience across the global meetings industry. Over this time she has been fortunate to have gained wonderful experience and friends from working for some great hotels, a convention centre, a destination marketing organisation, a PCO, and…
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Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. He is a prominent business architect, enabling communities to become…
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A founding member of ICC Sydney’s leadership team, Sam developed the communications and marketing strategies that have resulted in establishing one of the business events industry’s strongest brands. Storytelling, building emotional connection and strong stakeholder engagement have been core to ICC Sydney’s successful brand development throughout its pre-opening, launch and operational phases. Sam steered the…
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Gary has over 30 years’ experience in the convention industry. In 2004 he founded GainingEdge, a global consulting company that offers advisory services in relation to destinations, convention bureaus and convention and exhibition centres. It also provides convention and incentive sales representation services in all of the world’s key markets. The company’s services are end-to-end,…
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Having lived and worked in Asia, Africa and Europe before moving to Canada in 2010, Virginie is the Senior Director of Business Development – Economic Sectors for Destination Canada Business Events (DCBE), Virginie is responsible for leading the development and implementation of DCBE’s global economic sector strategy and team to increase overnight visitations to Canada…
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Alex Alles joined JMIC Joint Meetings Industry Council in August 2022. There he is responsible for the overall operations of the association as well as the project office of the Net Zero Carbon Events. NZCE is an industry-wide initiative aiming to help stakeholders of the meetings and events sectors to decarbonise. Before joining JMIC, Alex…
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Gemmeke has over 15 years of experience in the meetings industry. She advises especially international associations on how to develop positive impact on the longer term with their conferences or events within Flanders (Northern Belgium) and Brussels together with the different stakeholders in the Quadruple Helix. Based in the capital of the European Union, Gemmeke…
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For the last 15 years, Guy has been delivering award-winning consulting services focused on helping cities, governments, corporations and associations step up, scale up and speed up their sustainability programmes and regenerative practices. Guy’s pioneering work has been recognised with 22 sustainability awards including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, and recognition as a Fellow…
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