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Executive Order’s Motives Probed by Judges

On the eve of IMEX’s opening in Frankfurt, The Iceberg watched live US TV coverage of further hearings into Executive Order 13780, aka Trump Travel Ban II. Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, representing the ban, was quizzed over whether it discriminates against Muslims in the wake of campaign statements made by the president. From Meetings & Conventions…

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ICCA 2016 Country and City Rankings Released

The International Congress and Convention Association – a partner of The Iceberg – has published its 2016 country and city rankings. Paris – last leading in 2014 – has reclaimed the top city spot. The USA is the country holding the most meetings. International association meetings continue to double every ten years. Fuller data will be released in June. From ICCA…

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The Iceberg Publishes First JMIC Case Study

The first of a series of high-level academic case studies investigating meetings legacies has been published on The Iceberg and Business Events World. The report has been prepared as part of the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Case Study Program – see the video below – and adheres to strict academic criteria. It is research-based, includes valid measurable data, and…

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Governor Tours to Save Visit Florida Funding

The fortunes of Visit Florida have reversed again and the agency looks like it will after all lose 67% of its funding. In a last ditch attempt to change the Legislature’s course – its Speaker sees Visit Florida as extravagant and wasteful – Governor Rick Scott is on tour to persuade Floridians to invest in destination marketing. From Orlando Rising…

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Europe Summer Travel Alert Issued by US State Department

In the wake of recent terror attacks, the US State Department has issued an alert for US citizens travelling to Europe between May and September. The post warns that tourist locations, transport hubs, markets, malls and restaurants are all potential targets. It advises travelers to stay vigilant and to check US embassy websites. Photo: Sean Hobson. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Sector Sceptical About Saudi Arabia’s Meetings Launch

Saudi Arabia is to launch itself on the global meetings, conferences and exhibitions market. It has hired a UK PR firm to oversee a marketing campaign, and will also exhibit at the forthcoming IMEX in Frankfurt. But both professional conference organisers and association executives are sceptical about the country’s suitability as a destination. From Association Meetings International…

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Attorneys General from DC & 16 States Fight Travel Ban Appeal

The most senior lawyers of sixteen US states – and of the District of Columbia – have said President Trump’s revised travel ban would damage both academic and medical institutions… and have a “chilling effect” on tourism. They have filed a brief to uphold the ruling that blocks Executive Order 13780 from coming into force. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Emirates to Fly Fewer Services to the US

Emirates is to fly less often to the United States because tougher US security measures and President Trump’s travel bans are together lowering demand. The airline’s Dubai hub is both a casualty of the US ban on larger electronic devices in passenger cabins and also a transit stop for many passengers affected by Executive Orders 13769 & 13780. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Visit Florida’s Proposed Budget a “Game Changer”

Visit Florida’s fortunes could be on rise. After its very future was left in doubt, then a House of Representatives bill passed to cut its budget by two thirds to $25m, then Governor Rick Scott called for $76m… now he has proposed raising funding to $100m. Visit Florida CEO Ken Lawson calls the possibility a “game changer”. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Australia Introduces Tougher Temporary Visas

Australia has announced that two new temporary visas will make it harder to enter the country’s labour market. The current four-year 457 visa is being scrapped. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said jobs and Australians had to come first, amid concerns that key workers from abroad are crucial to the hospitality sector and wider tourism industry. From CIM News Magazine…

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Global Meetings Industry Day Unites the Sector

With key landmarks of New York’s iconic skyline again lit up blue in celebration, the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day is dawning across the face-to-face world. Spearheaded by campaign coalition Meetings Mean Business, the event is designed to raise awareness of the sector and to highlight its business and societal impacts. Happy GMID! From Successful Meetings…

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Federal Judge in Hawaii Extends Travel Ban II Hold

As 13 US states line up to back President Trump’s Travel Ban II – calling for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the second suspension of it granted to Maryland – the federal judge who first blocked it in Hawaii has extended his order. Once again the ban’s damage to tourism and academic research is cited. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Three Airlines’ Solutions to the US Large Electronic Devices Ban

With the ban on bringing larger electronic devices into passenger cabins coming into force on flights to the US from ten airports – the UK has similar restrictions on routes inbound from six countries – how have Middle East carriers mitigated the inconvenience to their customers? Details on the Emirates, Etihad and Turkish Airlines approaches. From Meetings & Conventions…

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$76m Budget for Visit Florida Backed by Senate Subcommittee

Shortly after the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill cutting Visit Florida’s budget by two thirds to $25m – also capping salaries and increasingly accountability – now a Senate subcommittee has proposed backing Governor Rick Scott’s request for a $76m budget. Visit Florida says the state attracted 112.8m visitors in 2016, after just 87.3m in 2011. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Events Industry Reacts to the Triggering of Article 50

As the Brexit starting gun is formally fired, a snapshot of events industry views on how the UK’s departure from the European Union will impact the sector. EVCOM, the Event Marketing Association, Green & Pleasant Events, Avenue Events, Smyle, Absolute Corporate Events, Eventopedia, BCD Meetings and Events, FreemanXP and AOK Events all weigh in. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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London Mayor Reassures After Terror Attack

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has reassured visitors to the city after the major terror attack right at its democratic heart. Four victims have been killed, with 40 more injured – seven of them critically – after a man drove into pedestrians along the pavement of Westminster Bridge. He then stabbed an unarmed police officer before being shot dead. From Meetings & Conventions…

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US Bars Large Electronics in Cabins on Flights from 10 Airports

The US is banning large electronics from passenger cabins on flights from ten specified Middle East and North African airports. After “evaluated intelligence” on terrorist threats, devices bigger than a mobile phone have will to be checked into hold luggage on services from these destinations. Around 50 flights a day into the US will be affected. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Second Ban Receives Second Suspension

After Hawaii’s successful legal stay on Executive Order 13780 – which President Trump attacked as “unprecedented judicial overreach” – Maryland was next in line to question the constitutionality of Travel Ban II. One plaintiff – the Middle East Studies Association – claimed the order would make it difficult for members to attend academic conferences in the US. From Meetings & Conventions…

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