The Iceberg is now identifying and celebrating the greater mass of hard-to-see business events legacies that lie hidden beneath the surface in a new podcast “Below the Waterline”.
In the second of a series featuring significant meetings industry players, Iceberg founder James Latham catches up with the IMEX Group’s formidable CEO, Carina Bauer.
IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer.
Carina began her career in retail and catering, setting up and running a chain of coffee shops in the South of England. After a career break working in an Italian ski resort, she entered the meetings industry in 2002 as Marketing and Operations Director for the inaugural IMEX in Frankfurt. Following IMEX’s expansion into America in 2009, Carina was appointed Group CEO.
In this second “Below the Waterline”, James talks to Carina about the IMEX Policy Forum, and the role it plays advocating the benefits of business events to those in the business of governing destinations. They also discuss how the addition of Professor Greg Clark to the meeting has reshaped debate around how meetings reshape cities.
Carina and James also discuss Brighton (where IMEX is based), Halifax (Nova Scotia), the importance of storytelling in industry advocacy, and the role in that played by convention bureaux. They outline marked differences between true legacy and best practice in sustainability, and the threat to the industry of being thought of as unsustainable. Carina shares some thoughts about setting meetings legacy goals around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and recommends contributing to the Event Industry UN SDG Survey currently being run by Iceberg partner Positive Impact.
Of course, Carina also trails IMEX America, running this September in Las Vegas!
Podcast production: Toby Miller.
Further content from or about Carina Bauer or IMEX previously posted on The Iceberg:
Politicians Talk Meetings at IMEX in Frankfurt (Successful Meetings article)
IMEX 2017: A View of the City (Iceberg video)
IMEX Recasts Annual Politicians Event as Policy Forum (Meetings & Conventions article)
IMEX Asks “What Will Your Legacy Be?” (Meetings & Conventions article)
Four Major Tipping Points in the International Meetings Industry (BizBash article)
Three Major Challenges Facing Travel and Tourism (PCMA Convene article)
The Global Economic Significance of Business Events Survey (IMEX video)
IMEX Reveals Imagination as Key Theme for Shows (Meetings & Incentive Travel article)
Gender Equality is “Economic Imperative” Says IMEX Group CEO (Meetings & Incentive Travel article)
That’s a Wrap: IMEX 2019 Draws to a Close After 70,000 Meetings (Meetings & Incentive Travel article)
Celebrating Creativity and Curiosity at IMEX America (Boardroom article)
Relevant research previously posted on The Iceberg:
A Report from the IMEX Policy Forum 2018 (IMEX report)
The Rise of Midsize Cities in the Meetings Industry (IMEX / Skift report)
2018 Global Economic Significance of Business Events (Events Industry Council study)
