FORTNIGHTLY ROUNDUP


June 24th 2010. Then Mayor of London Boris Johnson unveils ICC London.

This issue The Iceberg team is remembering with irony the launch of ICC London nine years ago. Presiding over the ExCeL extension’s unveiling was then Mayor of London Boris Johnson. Both Iceberg founder James Latham (in silhouette above bottom left) and I (above top and bottom far right) got interviews with BoJo, filmed for another publication. Both encounters were hilarious. Boris’ handling of the launch was deft beyond his shambolic public persona, and had me wondering even then if one day he’d make Prime Minister.

Fast forward through a high-wire (well, zip-wire) role in the ultimate event for a London Mayor, the 2012 Summer Olympics, to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre this July 23rd just past (below). The leadership contest result is announced, and the Brexit poster boy finally gets the top job he always wanted. Unfortunately, his first order of business is to sort out once and for all that very same intractable mess, one largely of his own making, and one which most current commentary considers unresolvable.

At least this new PM understands events. But with major Cabinet turnover, industry advocacy to ministers has to begin all over again. In Opinions this issue, thoughts on that from UK Events Industry Board Chair Michael Hirst.

Also fresh in OpinionsThe Science of Healthcare Congresses (already posted in Research), has been discussed at the 36th Pharma Fortbildungs-Forum in Cologne. Jane Cunningham of Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance has recorded a video interview with Kit Watts of IMEX, also a partner. Thanks for mentioning our iceberg metaphor, and The Iceberg itself!

There’s a great report from the EURAM conference at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik last year. There’s more on The Global Alliance announced by AIPC (the International Association of Convention Centres), ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Association) and UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). Finally, legitimate research meetings are under threat from “predatory” conferences. Could tracking meetings as well as their research be the answer?

Fresh in Features is a piece on the employment legacies of ESOC 2019, the European Symposium for Organic Chemistry, just held in Vienna. There’s a roundup of global aerospace knowledge hubs and meetings, plus how the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau are supporting their local association community. There’s also a brilliant food donation case study from Edmonton Convention Centre in Alberta, and a new Intellectual Capitals microsite on Liverpool’s meetings music, both with embedded video.

In News this issue, the World Congress for Esophageal Diseases is expected to be bigger than ever when it returns home to Tokyo in 2022. The five day Asia Oceania Otorhinolaryngological Head and Neck Surgery Congress will take place at Brisbane’s BCEC in 2023. I’ve previously interviewed Professor Ian Frazer, who is mentioned in the story. The Queensland capital is also the latest city to join Iceberg partner the Global Destination Sustainability Index, its 50th signing. Glasgow’s GDS-Index credentials helped contribute to the almost £1 million economic boost it received after hosting the 27th International Input-Output Association Conference.

In venue News, the Quebec City Convention Centre has hailed an “outstanding” year in which it hosted 210 events. Quebec City Ambassadors helped land eleven of eighteen international conferences. Over one hundred such major meetings are to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre until 2026.

In destination News, London has been named top meetings destination in Europe for the fifth year in a row by Cvent. The UK capital also leads in a study from Iceberg partner European Cities Marketing, using analysis of social media postings to study destination reputation. UK events budgets have defied the flatlining of total marketing spend during the second quarter of 2019, showing instead continuing growth.

Iceberg partners are also making legacy News this issue. IBTM World has launched a mentoring and investment scheme for young entrepreneurs with an idea, product or service for the events industry. BestCities Global Alliance has launched its Global Recognition Award, celebrating associations that deliver positive change and leave lasting legacies in their meetings destinations. The grants create further legacies. BestCities is also seeking a consultant partner to evaluate the socio-economic impacts of business events.

Added to Research this issue, UFI has released its Global Exhibition Barometer 23rd Edition (July 2019), and a brilliant infographic from Iceberg partner MCI has been added to the page for UFI’s The Exhibition Industry and UN SDGs. Congratulations to MCI on its expansion in Hamburg!

Stop press: Iceberg partner Positive Impact Events is seeking contributions on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the meetings industry. Two major incentives studies are also underway and seeking participants: The Absolute Truth and the Incentive Travel Industry Index.

Finally, and as always, The Iceberg reiterates its call for you to join our Global Ambassador Program. You can see Ambassadors listed on The Iceberg homepage, Ambassadors page, and in Business Events World below. Visit Call for Ambassadors 2019 & 2020 to find out more.

Until the next time…

Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg

July 23rd 2019. Johnson won party leadership at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.

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