From Northstar Metings Group: The winds have shifted and optimism has decreased, as a majority of planners say their meetings have been impacted by the new presidential administration. In the latest Meetings Industry PULSE Survey, coproduced and sponsored by Cvent, planner sentiment is clearly shifting. Most planners are less optimistic than they were two months…
In recent days, the executive order introducing new reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners has led to significant concern within the U.S. business and professional events industry. These tariffs will increase costs for business and professional event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees alike. They also send a signal to international exhibitors and attendees that the U.S….
From Skift Meetings: President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on dozens of nations, including a new 34% tariff on Chinese goods. Many countries have announced countermeasures, escalating trade tensions that could have significant ramifications for the global meetings sector. In response, the Live Events Coalition, originally formed during the Covid crisis but later put…
From Skift: Travel is more important than ever to household budgets, but it is not recession proof. As a result, Skift Research is revising down its outlook for global travel. The sweeping new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump have raised the risk of recession and the response from financial markets was swift, with a…
By Jorge Eduardo Q: In today’s 24/7 news cycle and hyper-connected feeds, event leaders are bombarded by headlines, hot takes, and trending crises every minute. Economic shifts, health emergencies, political strife, and algorithmic sensationalism form a loud backdrop that challenges clarity. Within this noise, strategic discernment becomes not just an asset, but a necessity for…
by Pádraic Gilligan, co-founder, SoolNua: As 2025 unfolds, it’s increasingly difficult to pin down exactly how incentive travel professionals feel about the short- to medium-term outlook for our industry. One thing is clear: sentiment has shifted since 2024. The Incentive Travel Index, released in November 2024, painted a nuanced picture—continued growth in the use and…
By Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange: Costs are rising. Expectations are not. That gap is one of the biggest risks event professionals face today, and it is not going away anytime soon. This is the third article in my series on the key risks facing the events industry in 2025 and how we,…
From TravelPulse: The Trump Administration’s escalating global trade war poses significant “high-risk consequences” for the U.S. travel industry, including potentially causing sharp declines in travel demand, according to a new report. Published by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, the report says there is a “risk to the US travel sector should trade disputes and…
By Pádraic Gilligan, Co-Founder, SoolNua: We now live in a global society where conflict, in all its forms, has become the new normal. Game-changing decisions that impact entire industries are being made—and unmade—within 24 hours. Global trade, poverty alleviation programs, pathways to peace, and even fundamental values like inclusiveness are being actively weaponized in a…
From Skift Meetings: As policy shifts create challenges for business events, Nicola Kastner, CEO of the Event Leaders Exchange, has voiced her concerns on LinkedIn. The industry response she has received highlights the need for advocacy to protect in-person gatherings. In a post on LinkedIn, Nicola Kastner, CEO of the Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), warns…
From IMEX: In a world of growing social disconnection, events have the power to do more than just bring people together – they can heal, inspire, and transform. Our latest report The power of experiences: Redesigning events for human connection, reveals how event professionals can create experiences that foster trust, engagement, and well-being. Backed by…
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, today released its Futures Landscape Report 2025 examining the issues likely to shape the global business events industry in the years to come. The final report draws from a series of “Think Tank” workshops where…
4 key messages highlight how exhibitions unlock potential for industries, individuals, communities, and companies: Exhibitions drive collaboration and innovation to transform businesses and industries; Exhibitions enable new, emerging and established talent to grow and succeed; Exhibitions power economic development and societal progress for countries and communities; Exhibitions amplify reach, build brands, foster connections and drive…
Boardroom sat down with Caroline Mackenzie from ISHA – The Hip Preservation Society, to discuss the association’s mission and its groundbreaking 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Cape Town. The event, which won the ABPCO Best International Conference Award – sponsored by Boardroom Magazine – set new standards in scientific excellence, sustainability, and long-term impact.
From UFI: Welcome to the 34th edition of the “UFI Global Exhibition Barometer” survey. This study is based on a global survey concluded in January 2025. It represents up-to-date information on the status and outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 19 specific markets and regions. The UFI Global Exhibition Barometer was…
From SoolNua, by Pádraic Gilligan: Over the past decade, the global business events industry has been marching—sometimes steadily, sometimes hesitantly—to a shifting rhythm. Initially, the beat was set by sustainability, and more recently, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities, with a particular emphasis on DEIAB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging). I say “hesitantly” because…
Destinations International is launching this initiative to gain recognition for the important contributions of the sector and those who work in it by promoting the annual celebration of February 19 as “Destination Professionals Day.” The first observance will be February 19, 2025. The objective of an annual recognition day is to raise awareness and appreciation…
From PCMA: The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, we appreciate your time and insights to better meet your needs. Please do forward the survey to your colleagues and peers as only together we can make a difference. Contribute to have the chance of winning a Convening EMEA 2025 registration or PCMA EMEA or…
From Skift Meetings: From AI-driven personalization to a laser focus on authenticity, sustainability, and mental well-being, this report reveals how the industry is transforming. The way we connect, collaborate, and create experiences is evolving — this guide will help you lead the charge. Discover how to: Leverage cutting-edge technologies without losing the human touch; Design…
From Exhibition World: The Global Industry Performance Review (GIPR) by jwc continues to be a cornerstone of knowledge for professionals and stakeholders in the exhibition industry. The 2024 edition, refined and expanded, will officially be available from 24 January 2025, building on the success of previous editions to deliver valuable insights and comprehensive analysis of…
From Skift Meetings: At this year’s PCMA Convening Leaders in Houston, the spotlight was on helping event planners navigate and meet the needs of increasingly international audiences. The evolving globalization of business is reshaping the events industry, where attendees bring diverse expectations shaped by their cultural backgrounds. Event planners need to think globally, was the…
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