PRESENTS
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Dear Business & Professional Event Sector (BE) Stakeholders, Industry leaders co-created The Iceberg in 2017 as the chosen metaphor for highlighting both the tourism benefits of events, but also the social, economic, and societal impacts aligned to the purpose of them. Thanks to funding support from the sector leadership, The Iceberg has used the intervening…
From The Economist: Had Kamala Harris won on November 5th, Europe would have heaved a huge sigh of relief, turned over, and promptly gone back to sleep. Donald Trump’s first presidency, followed by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, had served as a pair of noisy wake-up calls, forcing Germany’s chancellor,…
From Skift Meetings: With a Barefoot Business yacht cruise in Croatia and its own Slack channel, Club Ichi might just be the sexiest group to ever hit the meetings industry. But is it – and are other communities like it – a threat to industry associations? Liz Lathan, Nicole Osibodu and Kamryn Bryce started Club…
From M&IT: The IBTM World Forum for Advocacy promises to be a crucial moment for the industry, according to Martin Fullard, director, The Business of Events. In an industry that contributes over US$1.6 trillion to the global economy, the true value of business events extends far beyond the staggering financial statistics. A preview of The…
From HQ Magazine: ‘Disruption’, ‘holistic approach’, ‘retargeting’, ‘added-value’, each industry has its own buzzwords in order to navigate discourses and guide collective thought processes. Words are essential to instigate organised reactions, to sew in letters a manifesto, but if they are stripped of their real meaning and chewed on incessantly, they end up falling into…
From Northstar Meetings Group: IMEX America 2024, the events industry’s largest trade show, revealed a strong outlook for 2025 meetings and incentives, with a growing emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, technology, wellness and sports events. Held Oct. 8-10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, IMEX America drew a record 15,500 visitors. The event,…
BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) are thrilled to announce the finalists of the 2024 Incredible Impacts Programme: International Hip Preservation Society (ISHA), European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), and World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The Incredible Impacts Programme celebrates the value of international association meetings by rewarding innovative…
From Skift Meetings: Bring hundreds of people together for days of presentations at a corporate event and hope they get something out of it. That’s a tired playbook for meetings and events. It’s not going to cut it in 2024, according to Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange, and Rob Adams, president of Bishop-McCann….
From M&IT: SIC codes and the value of business events were the main discussion topics with MPs at beam’s State of the Nation event at Cliveden House. Senior representatives of the beam agency and venue members, as well as Windsor MP Jack Rankin and shadow business minister Mike Wood, were joined at the invitation-only event…
Skift Meetings has launched a report, in partnership with IMEX, intended to be the ideal entry point for meeting professionals who want to play a crucial role in shaping the industry’s and broader society’s future. It provides an exploration of potential impacts of meetings, practical insights from industry leaders, implementation strategies, and relevant case studies…
By David Edwards, Freelance tourism market intelligence consultant: Once upon a time in a faraway land the Office for National Statistics published provisional monthly estimates for the volume and value of inbound and outbound tourism six weeks after that month had reached its end. Ten weeks after the end of each quarter more granular data…
The BE Sector’s foremost forum for political and policy engagement is the IMEX Policy Forum held annually in Frankfurt, hosted by IMEX Director for Impact & Industry Relations, Natasha Richards. In this video insight from the Forum, Pádraic Gilligan – the CMO of the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and latest recipient of the…
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From Conference & Meetings World: AIPC has announced 14 successful applicants for its 2025 AIPC Future Shapers programme, which commences next month. The 2025 AIPC Future Shapers programme, is a seven-month accelerated leadership course, which aims to propel the industry’s developing leaders to the next level in their careers, through a series of masterclasses, ideation…
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for financial year (FY) 2023/2024 where it announced strong results for the fiscal period and an even stronger forward events pipeline through to 2030. BESydney CEO and business events industry visionary, Lyn Lewis-Smith also announced that she had advised the Board of her decision not…
From M&IT: Eventprofs have had a mixed reaction to the budget, with one business owner claiming that the new government “doesn’t understand or value” the sector. EDGE Venues CEO Jacqui Kavanagh slammed the increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions – and added that the move could see hospitality jobs replaced by AI. She said: “Whilst…
Destination Canada’s multimillion-dollar International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), launched in March 2024, has already supported 21 successful bids made by Canadian Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) to host high-value major international conferences. Created and administered by Destination Canada, and funded by the Government of Canada, the ICAF is a vital component of Destination Canada’s strategy to…
From Exhibition World: The Saudi Conferences and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) has announced that $40m of government funding will be allocated to new events in 2025. Speaking at the ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi, H.E. Fahd Al-Rasheed (pictured), chairman of SCEGA, told delegates that the investment was intended to co-create new home-grown events and attract…
From Exhibition World: Globus Events, formerly known as VNU Exhibitions Asia, has completed three major acquisitions in China since February, part of an ambitious expansion strategy, backed by its majority owner (since February 2024), private equity investor Advent International (‘Advent’). Since becoming part of Advent’s portfolio, Globus Events has made majority acquisitions in key sectors…
BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) are thrilled to award the 2024 Incredible Impacts Programme (IIP) Grant to European Academy Childhood Disability (EACD). The Incredible Impacts Programme uses a global platform to celebrate the “beyond tourism” value of meetings and advance their positive societal impact. Incredible Impacts offers two cash…
Four convention bureaux with strong space industries around the world have come together to form a network – focusing on the development of the aeronautics, astronomy and space industries. The Space Cities Network was announced at the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress in Abu Dhabi. The four convention bureaux are: Lausanne Montreux Congress…
From GDS-Movement: The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 GDS-Awards. The ceremony, held at the Bruges Royal Municipal Theatre during the GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference on the evening of 16 October, recognised destinations raising the bar of sustainability, innovation, and long-lasting positive impact in the…
From M&IT: The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has appointed Shonali Devereaux as its new chief executive, taking over from Kerrin MacPhie when she stands down in December. Devereaux, who has a wealth of experience working across the business meetings and events sector, will commence the role on Tuesday 26 November. Her CV includes 30 years’…
From Skift Meetings: IMEX America wrapped up its 2024 edition at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas. Record-breaking attendance included 15,500, of which 5,500 were buyers who had 86,000 meetings over three days. The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) shared the same venue with IMEX. It is estimated that more than 25,000 convenience…
From Boardroom: Organised by PCMA EMEA, Convening EMEA 2024 took place from 30 September to 2 October 2024 in Barcelona. This annual gathering of global business events leaders has only grown stronger with each year, creating a platform for exploring new trends, encouraging collaboration, and challenging norms. Under the theme, “Be Present. Be Open. Be…
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From #MEET4IMPACT: The ICCA Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi is committed to transforming the global business events (BE) industry by setting new standards for sustainability, innovation, and social impact. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), ICCA, GDS-Movement, and #MEET4IMPACT the Congress aims to position…
From The Business of Events: Making workplaces more inclusive for women was the main focus of the WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) Conference held at IET London: Savoy Place, on Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Managing…
From ICCA and BestCities: The Hip Preservation Society (ISHA)’s 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting ignited a transformative movement to elevate awareness of hip preservation surgery in Africa, showcasing its profound impact on patient quality of life and socioeconomic benefits. Through meaningful engagement with stakeholders, it tackled the challenges and barriers that hindered adoption. By identifying passionate…
From ICCA and BestCities: The European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD)’s 36th Annual Meeting inspired a vision for a better future for individuals with childhood-onset disabilities. The event celebrated excellence in research and education while raising vital awareness of their needs and rights. Through the impactful EACD+ programme, it expanded access to sports, culture, and…
From ICCA and BestCities: The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)’s 2024 World Congress championed the protection and promotion of journalists’ and publishers’ rights to maintain free, independent, and sustainable media. The event inspired innovation, equipping members to navigate technological advancements and evolving audience behaviors. It boldly tackled news avoidance among young and marginalized demographics,…
From Boardroom: In March, over 5,000 delegates from across the world descended upon Singapore for the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA2024). The event – a truly international affair – was to be a resounding success thanks to the collaborative efforts of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) and their co-hosts, Singapore Society…
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From M&IT: Planners in Western Europe are largely optimistic about the current state of the sector – and are increasingly looking further afield for event destinations, according to the latest Cvent survey. The 2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition reveals that 90 per cent of planners feel positive about the current state of the…
Today, the Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, released its quarterly Global Events Barometer for Q2 2024. The numbers reflect positive momentum for the global business events industry in almost every region around the world. In 2024 Q2, the hotel group room nights index increased to 106. This represents…
UKEVENTS, the umbrella organisation of the UK’s events industry, is pleased to announce the findings of its anticipated UK Events Report 2024. The report, compiled by Great Potential Consultancy, highlights the industry’s critical role in the economy, generating £61.653 billion annually and affirming its resilience following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Covering a wide…
From UFI: The annual Euro Fairs Statistics tracks key metrics of the majority of trade shows across Europe, based on audited and certified data. A key resource, put together in collaboration with many of our European colleagues from the national industry associations. The 2023 edition contains the certified statistics of 2,008 exhibitions from 17 countries….
From Industry Dive: Global experiential marketing spending is expected to reach $128.35 billion in 2024, rising above pre-pandemic levels for the first time, according to recent research PQ Media shared with Marketing Dive. The expected 10.5% jump in experiential marketing spend this year outpaces the 9.7% growth seen in 2023. Strong investments from both B2B…
From Modern Diplomacy: A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council has revealed that business travel is set to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, faster than previously predicted, to reach a record US$1.5TN. The rise of remote working during the pandemic had a disproportionate effect on corporate travel, compared to leisure travel, with…
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From Conference & Meetings World: Can business events play a role in helping to tackle global issues like over-tourism? This is one of the topics to be discussed at this month’s IBTM World Forum for Advocacy, in partnership with The Business of Events. Eloísa Urrutia (pictured), head of global sustainability, meetings & events at American…
From Smart Meetings: Chantal Sturk-Nadeau’s blond locks are a familiar sight at meetings industry conferences. She served as executive director of business events with Destination Canada for no less than 7 years, with Tourism Winnipeg for 17 years before that and at a production company before that. For her next chapter, she was looking for…
From AMI Magazine, by Holly Patrick: If association meetings can no longer be excluded from the overtourism conversation, what can be done to mitigate their impact on already strained infrastructures and frustrated residents? Overtourism, when tourism exceeds physical, ecological, social, economic, psychological, and political boundaries, has historically been associated with leisure tourists. But as thousands…
By Matthias Schultze, Managing Director, German Convention Bureau: A couple of years back, a figure caught my eye: According to the World Economic Forum, digital solutions, if brought to scale, could reduce global emissions by 20% by 2050 in the three highest-emitting sectors energy, materials and mobility. Applying this to the business events sector, it…
From Skift Meetings, by Miguel Neves: The head of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, Christoph Tessmar, was delighted that the city hosted record numbers for PCMA’s Convening EMEA, with 636 in-person attendees. This is a significant increase from last year’s event in Copenhagen, which attracted 550 and almost triple the attendance of the 2019 PCMA European…
From Forbes: Ask Katarina Thorstensson to define sustainability in tourism, and you might think you’re talking to a character in a Star Wars movie. Sustainability surrounds us, and it binds the galaxy together like the Force — at least her galaxy. Thorstensson, a sustainability strategist for Gothenburg, Sweden, says her city has been working on…
Conferli – The conference matchmaking platform’s latest podcast features Beatriz Ibañez, Impact Specialist at #MEET4IMPACT. In this episode, Beatriz unpacks the critical difference between impact and legacy in the events industry, discussing the concept of legacy washing; barriers to creating true, lasting impact; why focusing on long-term change is essential for meaningful progress. Ready to…
From Meetings International: The President and CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization, Ki Yon Kil, says “Although we are successful even now, the MICE industry is still beginning its development in the Republic of Korea. The business event industry in Seoul and South Korea has great potential, so we are developing this potential of the whole…
From Forbes, by Michael Sheldrick: UN Secretary-General António Guterres framed this week as a pivotal moment to “reboot” multilateralism with the adoption of the Pact for the Future. Described by the UN as “the culmination of a years-long effort to adapt global cooperation to today’s realities,” the Pact’s real-world impact remains uncertain and open to…
From Boardroom, by Remi Deve: Attending an ICCA Central European Chapter Meeting was a first for Boardroom. Expertly organised in Zurich by the Zurich Convention Bureau, it was an insightful experience filled with valuable lessons on the future of events. Here are my key takeaways. 1. The Need for Purpose-Driven & Human-Centric Events: Co-founder and…
From Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance: At last month’s SISO Leadership Conference, CNTV’s Bob Frier sat down with Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s Tommy Goodwin to talk about ECA’s 2024 accomplishments to-date, what to expect between now and the election, and what’s on the horizon for 2025.
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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. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
We warmly invite you to the Feeling the Pulse webinar*, “The 2024 Innovation Award Finalists & Winner” to discover and be motivated by innovative projects that are making exponential positive change not only possible, but probable. Be inspired by the projects that are helping innovative destinations lead and motivate in a webinar packed with superlative,…
We warmly invite you to the Feeling the Pulse webinar*, “The 2024 Innovation Award Finalists & Winner” to discover and be motivated by innovative projects that are making exponential positive change not only possible, but probable. Be inspired by the projects that are helping innovative destinations lead and motivate in a webinar packed with superlative,…
Earning the Events Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Planner designation showcases your industry expertise to employers and clients and enhances prestige among peers. However, with the last standardized exam in the rearview mirror for many, navigating the CMP-International Standards (CMP-IS) and related study material can be intimidating. This course from the long-time leaders in professional development…
The Northstar Leadership Forum brings together the industry’s thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices. Our forum is unlike any other industry gathering: A unique, high-level experience where business relationships and friendships are forged. Hosted at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble…
Held ahead of the BestCities Global Forum in Dublin, Ireland this new groundbreaking training programme, part of 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. If you are interested in attending this event,…
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. PLEASE NOTE: An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for…
The Knowledge Program is a ticketed event for Hosted Buyers, Hosted Media and Exhibitors. Visitor Buyers may purchase an upgrade to attend this program. The theme for 2025, “We Matter!” seeks to highlight and celebrate the global business events industry as a powerful catalyst for economic growth. Keynote speakers from AIME’s speaker bureau partners, along…
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…
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 is exactly where you need to be. Discover 200 free education sessions at IMEX Frankfurt. More information coming soon in 2025.
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. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
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. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
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Join your industry peers for the must attend hosted-buyer event bringing together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, attractions, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the Southwest U.S. Meet buyers who are ready to book business in: Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas.
Destination Mexico and Latin America — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — brings together the most highly qualified meeting and incentive buyers from North America with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the region. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers…
The Northstar Leadership Forum brings together the industry’s thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices. Our forum is unlike any other industry gathering: A unique, high-level experience where business relationships and friendships are forged. Hosted at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble…
Go beyond your orbit this January, where event professionals unite to shape our industry’s future, together. Convening Leaders is more than a conference — it’s a launchpad for your next leap. It’s YOUR opportunity to pioneer new paths and build connections that will propel you and your organization forward. Join decision-makers across the event industry…
As a gathering that champions the power of face-to-face interactions, this forum promises enriching workshops and sessions designed to both challenge and inspire attendees. Planners will benefit from unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers from diverse industries and explore innovative approaches to meeting design, sustainability, and impact. All whilst getting to know the 13 BestCities…
This focused event will provide you with an opportunity for open, peer-group discussion of current trends, issues and concerns relating to city tourism. Through this event, we provide a platform for you, all our CEO members to discuss sensitive issues or proprietary strategies. This facilitates decision-making in an environment of trust and openness among top…
The summit is the preeminent gathering place of marketing, communications and public relations professionals dedicated to helping destination organizations thrive. Sign up to get email alerts when additional information is released about the next summit.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is where industry decision makers connect, create and do business. We bring together international and local event planners and connect them with the best destinations, venues and event suppliers from…
Connect with global destination organisation and convention bureau leaders in a series of meaningful conversations designed to drive impactful outcomes. This exclusive invitation only event offers the chance to be part of pioneering discussions on sustainability, social inclusion, and the future of global tourism. Experience unparalleled insights from world-renowned speakers, including Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS,…
The UFI team is excited to bring the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference to Australia for the first time in the history of this conference. Australia is an essential part of the Asia business events landscape with its world-class venues, strong supporting infrastructure and thriving entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, holding our conference in conjunction with AIME, hosted…
Join your industry colleagues at CEO Summit and learn how to navigate and overcome the complexities of your role. You will hear from thought leaders about the areas that stand out in our industry as topics to discuss in-depth in order to come up with strategies and solutions. Enjoy and learn from inspirational conversations with…
City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA) is a knowledge sharing alliance for cities and urban areas. With a holistic approach, our vision is for all cities in Europe to flourish. We are open and visionary, and want to inspire. We believe in sharing, and see our alliance as a community, a family, where we all work together….
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Managing Director and owner of SFA Connect (trading name for Sarah Fleming Associates Ltd), Sarah has over 25 years’ experience in the Meetings Industry. She was a board director of a leading UK PCO for ten years where she handled numerous large, high-profile events all over the world. Through this work she gained an in-depth…
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Sven joined AIPC as CEO in May 2020. Together with the Board, the Members and the Business Partners he will be spearheading a transformation programme which will result into an entirely new value proposal to Convention and Exhibition Centres across the globe based on the changing needs of the members and the challenges they are…
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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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A passionate and dedicated leader, Carina Bauer is the CEO of the IMEX Group – an organisation responsible for organising the leading global trade shows for the international business events industry. Carina is passionate about the business events sector and its impact on the world, taking a particular interest in issues around sustainability, diversity 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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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…
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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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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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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After spending his first 20 years in the international MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry in various executive roles — including meetings organisation, management, MICE technology, as well as planning infrastructure projects — Adem, commonly known as Braco within the industry, sought to contribute his extensive knowledge and experience on a broader scale. Since…
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