JMIC is renewing its call for quality storytelling of the legacies the sector delivers.
The Iceberg has always tried to shine a light on the benefits of business and professional events that lie hidden beneath the surface and get ignored alongside the visible tip of travel and hospitality spend. Now the Joint Meetings Industry Council – which presents The Iceberg – is renewing its call for quality storytelling of the legacies the sector delivers.
That call – itself a content-filled microsite of great legacy-storytelling examples – is the lead below in Features this issue of Business Events World. Please dive in, spend some time understanding the value of such advocacy, and please contribute your own stories to the growing mass that is The Iceberg.
Also in Features (click the right arrow)… a video review of the recent IT&CMA in Bangkok, Thailand. The Iceberg has partnered with IT&CM Events to bring you three films exploring Asia’s destination development, the innovation attractions of the “Fukuoka” model, and the massive change underway across the association landscape in China.
New in Opinions (navigation arrows again)… UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf’s full speech at the recent EEAA Global Exchange in Sydney, Australia. There’s an update on Barcelona from CVB Director Christoph Tessmar. SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan offers his take on IMEX America. And Meetpie.com rediscovers a vintage destination marketing favourite of The Iceberg… Birmingham, the UK’s second city, as experienced some decades ago by TV’s Kojak, Telly Savalas.
New in Research… Decision to Attend 2 (The Decision to Attend Study for Conventions & Exhibitions).
And in News… everything from Adelaide’s really big space congress, to two optimistic industry surveys, to the “postive and unifying” glory of IMEX America, to a brilliant Washington State Convention Center legacy just agreed, and to the latest challenges of Trump’s Travel Ban III. This sequel is certainly living up to its predecessors.
Until the next time…
Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg
Showing Featured Features
View all Features
The Iceberg has always tried to shine a light on the benefits of business and professional events that lie hidden beneath the surface and get ignored alongside the visible tip of travel and hospitality spend. Now the Joint Meetings Industry Council is renewing its call for quality storytelling of the legacies the sector delivers.
The annual showcase event for the Asia Pacific meeting and business events sector, IT&CMA, revealed that the region’s destination marketing organisations (DMOs) are adopting the lead set by Australia and Singapore. ‘Clustering’ or focussing efforts on bidding for events from within industry sectors identified in the development frameworks of government is now the priority of…
The International AIDS Society (IAS) organizes the world’s two most prestigious HIV conferences, each convened biennially in alternating years. The next International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) will be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands (23-27 July 2018). Meanwhile, the IAS Conference on HIV Science features the latest HIV science, including basic, clinical and prevention research. It brings…
A landlocked nation offering many opportunities for safari, Botswana is an established incentive destination and growing conference hub in southern Africa. The country sees mostly mining and investment gatherings through its borders, although late last year Botswana also hosted a major ITU meeting: the 14th World Telecommunication / ICT Indicators Symposium. From the Event…
The City of Tshwane, in northern Gauteng Province, is home both to iconic South African historical sites and also several universities. But conferences, exhibitions and corporate meetings take place in Tshwane as well, including many government events. It boasts state-of-the-art conference and exhibition venues like the CSIR International Convention Centre. From the Event…
Nantes on the French Atlantic coast – the birthplace of Jules Verne – has recently transformed itself into an innovation hub. The city and region is home to leading international companies like Airbus, and key knowledge industries like health and biotechnology. At the heart of this journey is La Cité Nantes Events Center. From Boardroom…
European Cities Marketing (ECM) and Destinations International (DI) – two leading destination marketing and development associations – have extended their transatlantic collaboration in response to the radical changes in function of destination marketing organisations (DMOs) across both continents. At the annual ECM Summer School held this year in Dresden, ECM president Dieter Hardt-Stremayr explained the…
This ISTH (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) Congress 2017 attracted 9,515 attendees from 110 countries to Messe Berlin. Delegates from countries where haematologists are on low salaries were even assisted with travel allowances. According to the organisation, every significant development in its field has been either presented or enhanced at the event. From tw tagungswirtschaft…
The San Diego Convention Center, in collaboration with food and beverage supplier Centerplate, is playing a major role in boosting its local agricultural economy by sourcing key products and services from across the community. Also part of this supply chain is Moceri Food & Beverage, a local business and now primary produce vendor for the…
Last month the 20th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry took place in Cologne. The choice of destination was due in no small part to the high industrial and academic “chemical” density of the region, as well as the University of Cologne’s reputed chemistry department. A current Nobel chemistry laureate gave the keynote. From tw tagungswirtschaft…
As The Iceberg reaches its half birthday – having launched in January 2017 – perhaps it is time to restate the principle behind the unusual metaphor we appropriated. If you prefer, perhaps it is time to gaze again at the blue sky above The Iceberg. This platform is presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council and emerged not only as a vehicle for industry advocacy in general…
The gleaming new ICC Sydney has just hosted the 2017 Annual Conference of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC). As well as being a prime example of what a modern centre should itself be, the entire Darling Harbour redevelopment precinct was also the perfect setting for a theme of “Transformation”. From CIM News Magazine…
Showing Featured News
View all News
It’s not proving third time lucky for Trump’s Travel Ban III. As with his previous attempts to bar people from certain mainly Muslim nations from entering the United States, 3.0 has run into immediate challenges. Federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland blocked it just before it was due to take effect. From Meetings & Conventions…
A new convention centre is to be built in Hong Kong to bring in more international meetings to the city. The new venue will be near the existing Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The site currently houses government buildings which will be demolished to create the new facility. From Association Meetings International…
Australia is losing more international conference bids despite a modest increase in the number of overseas events heading to the country. The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has released its latest Forward Calendar of International Business Events, which shows lost business is up 7 percent, despite wins being up 3 percent. From CIM News Magazine…
Over $80 million of public benefits, including affordable housing, cycling, pedestrian and road projects, have been agreed by the Washington State Convention Center as part of its planned $1.6 billion expansion in downtown Seattle. The agreement with a group called the Community Package Coalition will include $29 million of funding for affordable housing. From The Seattle Times…
The Finnish capital hosted 38,000 congress visitors this summer, an increase of 8,000 on last year. The visits added about €50 million to the city’s economy. Local expertise attracted 150 international association meetings between May and September, including the World Glaucoma Congress, which was attended by 3,500 delegates instead of an anticipated 3,000. From Association Meetings International…
IMEX chairman Ray Bloom hailed this year’s IMEX America a positive, unifying week for the industry at its closing. More than 12,000 exhibitors, hosted buyers and attendees came to Las Vegas, with the Tuesday and Wednesday of the show the busiest days ever in its history. More than 70,000 appointments were made. From Meetpie.com…
Julie Coker Graham, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been named the next Co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition, the industry communications and advocacy initiative. In January she will join Paul Van Deventer, President and CEO of Meeting Professionals International, taking over from Richard Harper. From Meetings & Conventions…
The seventh IMEX America opened at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas with a strong show of support for the city after the tragic mass shooting there. Attendees in the Sands Showroom heard meetings industry and city leaders discussing #VegasStrong, the campaign the city created after the tragedy. From Meetings & Conventions…
Kevin Hinton, CEO of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, has announced he will be leaving the role in January. He said it was time “to step away and close out my work over the past four and a half years so that I can explore my next professional chapter”. From Meetings & Conventions…
There’s more good news for the incentive travel sector, according to the latest Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Index research report. Budgets continue to grow and optimism is high, despite world events. Corporate buyers do understand the effectiveness of the incentive model. The 2018 SITE Index had 574 respondents, including 201 corporate buyers. From Incentive – What Motivates…
According to American Express Meetings and Events’ “2018 Global Meetings and Events Forecast”, the industry has every reason to be optimistic about its growth prospects next year. But although planners will have budget available, they will be spending it with fewer suppliers, making the year a buyer’s market across the sector. From Successful Meetings…
The newly expanded Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC) has just hosted Adelaide and South Australia’s largest ever business event… the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). 4,500 space experts attended, many not from other planets but at least the Northern Hemisphere. The detailed program included plenaries, lectures and 200 sessions spread out over the entire building. From Association Meetings International…
Showing Featured Case Studies
View all Case Studies
Many international convention centres use sophisticated methods to measure the economic impact of business events in their host cities. Others recognise the importance of food in customer experience and promote programs like paddock to plate or food miles. ICC Sydney marries these two concepts together and takes them to a new level by measuring the…
Growing its business events sector is part of Malaysia’s strategy to achieve status as a developed nation by 2020. This case study presents the contribution made by the 55th ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congress towards developing the business events sector in the country. ICCA’s event engaged political leaders and the local community to raise awareness of the needs…
The Geneva Convention Bureau has adopted a policy of promoting Geneva not only as a destination but also as a center of economic, knowledge and innovation excellence. It does this by marketing meetings and events in relation to local key clusters of industry. As a result, a dynamic and virtuous feedback loop is established between Geneva’s economic or knowledge…
This research by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) demonstrates that business events offer delegates unrestricted exposure to innovative ideas and opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills. Part of the Beyond Tourism Benefits series, the new study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Conferences: Catalysts for Thriving Economies – provides further evidence showing that…
Showing Featured Research
View all Research
Attendees are consumers: discerning travelers who may choose to attend conventions & exhibitions… or not. That’s why the mutual goal of both meeting / exhibition professionals and CVBs is generating positive word-of-mouth from attendees, resulting in repeat bookings and increased attendance. This report provides insight from the second Decision to Attend survey conducted in 2017, with…
Drawing on official data from 14 national trade fair bodies who guarantee the quality of the statistics they have provided, UFI’s latest report compiles statistics on 2,590 exhibitions covering a total of 27.4 million square metres of registered rented space in 2016. The report shows a notable increase of 7% in terms of the total…
In today’s highly competitive economy, it is not surprising that businesses are seeking trusted new ways to differentiate themselves and sustain success. As major thought leaders and consultancies point repeatedly to human capital as the prime modern differentiator (even outstripping financial capital), it raises the question: what are truly successful companies now doing differently regarding…
For the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, compliance and regulation are a way of life. In this already complex environment, the ever-changing regulatory landscape has increased the pressure over recent years. These dynamics are having a profound effect on healthcare congresses, which represent the largest segment of educational meetings. The future of these events depends on…
The DestinationNEXT Futures Study identifies the trends and opportunities that will shape the future of destination marketing and management. This Futures Study update, conducted in 2017, is intended to build on the learnings from the 2014 Futures Study, and to determine updated trends and strategies that will keep the thousands of destination organizations around the…
A skills survey of the business events sector, coordinated by Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) in partnership with the Australian Association of Convention Bureaux and the Exhibition & Events Association of Australasia (EEAA), has found that critical skills gaps are considerably impacting the business events industry. With a significant survey response rate of 39 per…
This study is based on a global survey concluded in July 2017. It represents up to date information on the development and the outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 14 specific countries and zones. Global Exhibition Barometer 19th Edition (July 2017)
The latest UFI / Business Strategies Group report on the trade fair industry in Asia has now been published complete with updated statistical information from 2016. Leaflet here… The Trade Fair Industry in Asia – 13th Edition (July 2017) – Leaflet Order form here… The Trade Fair Industry in Asia – 13th Edition (July 2017) –…
The future belongs to cities. To be specific, the future belongs to cities that can attract the brightest and the best people, and encourage them to thrive. Today cities compete nationally and internationally to attract businesses, skilled migrants, and of course visitors. However, to an increasingly globalised population a city’s postcard views and monuments matter…
The Global Association Hubs Partnership (GAHP) was created by Brussels, Dubai, Singapore, and Washington DC to engage with the international association community as a trusted partner for international growth. A key component of the GAHP strategy is to feed this dialogue with original research-based content and to provide education and networking opportunities for association decision…
The meetings and conventions industry is evolving into a global innovation distribution channel. Over the last decade, convention bureaus have been collaborating more strategically with their local and state governments, economic development agencies, academic and scienti c institutions, and local business improvement districts to better leverage the value of conventions in their cities, especially those aligned…
Showing Featured Opinions
View all Opinions
In preparing an upcoming feature on Birmingham in the UK, an Iceberg partner has rediscovered a destination marketing masterpiece also well known to the Iceberg team, which itself has reported from the city. It’s a vintage promo gem narrated by TV’s Kojak… Telly Savalas. Birmingham: who loves ya, baby? From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
An experienced attendee puts IMEX America under the spotlight: from the grim realities of the Las Vegas shooting, to SITE Nite at the Brooklyn Bowl, to the changing hues of event design, furniture either with USB ports or made of LEGO, a musical Inspiration Hub, and a statement Irish pavilion. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
Wowing your audience without spending too much is hard. Here’s a guide to doing just that, by using the latest technology, giving away goodies, keeping your agenda energetic but focused, choosing a great venue… and also a destination people want to visit. From Simon Lockwood, creative director at The Brewery in London, and Successful Meetings…
Despite new technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, meetings and incentive professionals should expect next year to be all about “engagement”. That’s according to Pacific World, which has published a list of trends to watch for in 2018. Four in particular will drive engagement: localization, cultural immersion, community impact, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. From Successful Meetings…
Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, has been discussing the Catalonian independence referendum violence and how the situation affects events coming to the city. From 28th October to 1st November the 25th United European Gastroenterology Week will be bringing in around 15,000 congress delegates to the destination. Includes Turisme Barcelona’s official statement. From tmf dialogue marketing…
At the recent EEAA Global Exchange in Sydney, Australia, Kai Hattendorf – the CEO of the global association of the exhibition industry (UFI) – outlined five factors he believes will be shaping the sector over the coming years. He also warned that exhibitions need to ‘switch gear’. From the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia…
Chantal Sturk-Nadeau is the new head of Business Events Canada, the organisation responsible for meetings industry promotion in the country. During a recent trip to Europe, she shared her vision. BEC has identified seven priority business sectors where Canada holds a competitive advantage and is internationally recognized as a centre of excellence. From Boardroom…
Marriott has recently taken flak for hosting a convention of ACT America, which calls itself a ‘grassroots national security organisation’ but which has also been dubbed America’s ‘largest anti-Muslim hate group’. Marriott lists diversity and inclusion among its core values. ACT America has its own anti-violence, anti-discrimination policy. From the editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
At Meetings Africa 2017 a R110 million subvention fund was announced, part of the South African Government’s R494 million tourism allocation for the next three years. It has already assisted organisers in bringing association meetings to South Africa. So who is eligible for this funding and how does one apply for it? From the Event…
It was a speech the embattled UK Prime Minister was hoping would go rather better than it did. First, a prankster breached security to hand Theresa May a fake P45 (a UK termination of employment form). Then she lost her voice. Even the set designer received an unexpected “F” (and later “E”). From CIM News Magazine…
Today’s attendees want healthier food that improves mental focus and concentration. That’s according to an IACC report “Trends in Nutrition & Delegate Wellbeing”. “Brain foods” are on the rise, with over a third of survey venues offering them. 75 percent either currently offer basic nutritional information in their menus or plan to. From CIM News Magazine…
In the wake of the Las Vegas tragedy, Michael Susong of iJet International has been discussing the state of hotel security. Screening baggage is hard, but vigilance, noticing out of place details, protocols for warning security – and for leaving the area – are all crucial. Photo: C. Mendoza. From Meetings & Conventions…
Showing Featured Education
View all Education
Sticking to the same old routine may be comforting, but it gets most meeting professionals nowhere. In fact, it stalls progress, creativity and meetings quickly become “busy work” without business results. Inspirational speaker and recognized expert in leadership and personal development, Todd Mitchem, dares you to step outside your comfort zone and disrupt everything to…
There are many different means for engagement at your meetings and events from short-term experience stimulation with little impact to long-term incentivation with multiple experiences and lasting effects. Discover ways to show measurable knowledge retention, opinion change and attitude shifts and create long-term behavioral change among your attendees. And discover ways to measure that attendee…
UFI has joined forces with the Venue Management Association (VMA) in Australia to launch a new training programme for venue managers in China. The course content will consist of three days of lectures in Mandarin from industry veterans covering a wide range of topics including marketing, risk management, onsite safety, digital strategy, HR management and…
The FYP brings together 35 young industry professionals from a diverse array of backgrounds. Over 3 days, the selected applicants are given networking opportunities, educational sessions, social activities and guidance worth their weights in gold from some of the most influential meetings industry figures. Participants will complete the FYP with a wealth of knowledge, a…
Join top incentive travel professionals including SITE members, ibtm world delegates and guests and key industry decision makers for an afternoon of education and networking before ibtm world begins!
Designing better meetings and events is more relevant than ever and growing in importance. And while technology advances influence many aspects of the planning process, our knowledge, and skills as planners and meeting designers, must also evolve to keep up with the constant developments in the Meetings and Events Industry.
Held in tandem with the Convention Sales Summit, this new event gathers destination professionals dedicated to designing and enhancing the experience of convention and meeting attendees to share ideas and solutions and explore what’s on the horizon in destination event serivces.
Destination professionals dedicated to developing and nurturing group and meetings business gather at this Summit annually to share ideas and solutions and explore what’s on the horizon in destination sales.
Capturing valuable insights and conversations: Be immersed in engaging live or virtual technologies with MCI proven expertise to be aware of the latest trends. Explore the key topics that affect your business environment through the unique insights of MCI’s industry experts.
Maritz Global Events’ resource library gives industry professionals the latest insights about solving their greatest challenges; experts share their insights on the value of face-to-face meetings and events, the journey to take your event global, and the power of experience design thinking.
Showing Featured Events
View all Events
The AIPC Facility Operations Summit is an opportunity for centre staff responsible for key operations functions to share issues and solutions on a global basis while also looking at how essential interactions amongst centre managers can be enhanced in ways that will increase overall centre efficiency and competitiveness.
Incentive travel professionals including SITE members, ibtm world delegates and guests and key industry decision makers connect for an afternoon of education and networking before ibtm world begins.
Connect with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs, and venues from across the Lone Star state in pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and unique experiential networking events, while enjoying a fully hosted, three-night stay at Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, TX, from November 27-29, 2017.
The leading global event for the meetings, events and incentives industry, ibtm world delivers three inspirational days of business, networking and education to a community of international suppliers and buyers, helping drive their business into the future. Join over 15,500 industry professionals and enter a world of business opportunities.
Open to senior international association executives (or AMC on behalf of the associations), the Global Forum is the ideal opportunity for decision-makers considering hosting an event in a BestCities’ destination, to meet all the partner cities in one stunning location. BestCities is delighted to announce Toyko as the host partner for this year’s event.
Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands, Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings and Incentive, and the Meetings Mean Business Coalition have collaborated to produce the Northstar Meetings Leadership Forum, the premier summit for high-level planner and leaders of the meetings industry. The Northstar Meetings Leadership Forum brings together leaders from all areas of the meetings industry to review,…
We’re cranking up the volume at 2018 PCMA Convening Leaders. The engagement factor is the most critical piece of connecting with your audience. But we’ve entered the new school of engagement — one where you must navigate around digital distractions and satisfy increased attendee expectations at every turn. At Convening Leaders, you’ll learn how to…
SITE is excited to partner with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to bring you SITE + MPI Global Forum. This event will gather the best and the brightest across the meetings and incentive travel industries to power expanded connections, education and destination exploration. SITE + MPI Global Forum will offer joint sessions and events to increase networking and…
BY INVITATION ONLY. The Global CEO Summit, the GCS, is one of UFI’s most prestigious events and takes place each year in the last week of January. This is an exclusive meeting as only the CEOs or equivalent of global exhibition organizing companies and exhibition venues are permitted to attend.
ibtm arabia is a three day event in Abu Dhabi focused on uniting Middle East and international MICE suppliers with highly qualified meeting and event planners. Join many key industry names travelling far and wide to participate in the 12th edition of the event.
CONVENE is an annual business to business two-day event for the meetings industry for the countries of the Baltic. It is an international show case for the regional meetings industry which accelerates the interest in, and demand for, holding meetings, incentives and conferences in the region.
AIME – Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo – is the leading exhibition for the meetings, incentives and events industry. As the largest international event of its kind in Australia, each year the exhibition unites a community of over 4,000 suppliers and meetings and events planners under one roof in Melbourne. With an exceptional Hosted Buyer® program, AIME welcomes valuable association…
Showing Partners
View all Partners
