2018 already seems much like 2017. But the diary change not only means predicting the coming year’s trends – see three previous Opinions – but also making New Year’s resolutions. Forget drinking less, eating better and going to the gym. How about being a better delegate? From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
Here is yet another set of industry predictions for 2018, this time from a UK perspective. Brexit, mental wellbeing, wellness breaks, using bespoke apps, complying with General Data Protection Regulation, destinations like Malta and Croatia, direct hotel bookings, the role a venue can play, and the importance of quality all feature. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Some consider golf a good walk ruined, but the game has always had its place in corporate culture. During the Trump presidency it might even be due a re-evaluation. Certainly golf can be a great equaliser as part of a meeting or incentive. But how to give attendees an above par experience? From Successful Meetings…
A second set of trend predictions suggest that while the number of meetings held will rise, budgets will tighten and costs rise. Hotel occupancy is high, but multi-event commitment and avoiding beach resorts, also sharing economy options, will mitigate spending. Security and safety, tools and technology, experience and engagement are all key. From Successful Meetings…
The turning of the year means Iceberg editorial partners are now predicting the trends that will shape the meetings and events industry in 2018. For one team, five key areas to watch are: the importance of diversity on stage, AI getting real, better crisis preparedness, cognitive enhancement drugs (!)… and comfortable workwear! From PCMA Convene…
Last month the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) welcomed a record number of delegates to its 56th annual congress. Almost 1,300 members, including more than 40 association executives, travelled to Prague for four days of education, chapter meetings and networking. According to Czech Statistical Office data, Prague welcomed a total of 4,426 conferences in…
The holiday season is also a time to remember those who have left us during the past year. Two industry titans familiar to almost the entire sector, including the Iceberg team, passed away in 2017: IMEX Group Managing Director Paul Flackett, and former SITE President Jane E. Schuldt. With recollections of both legends, SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
Having just announced her imminent departure as leader of the Professional Convention Management Association, Deborah Sexton has offered further thoughts on her time at PCMA, and also the reasons and timing of her exit. Her last major event in the post will be Convening Leaders 2018 in Nashville, and a Guinness World Record attempt. From PCMA…
Pádraic Gilligan of Iceberg partner SoolNua is a expert in social media and its usage across the meetings industry. He often presents on the subject and did so with colleague Aoife McCrum at the recent IBTM World in Barcelona. He continues the session here with the audience’s Sli.do feedback. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
The IMEX Group has changed the name of its IMEX Politicians Forum to the IMEX Policy Forum, reflecting a shift in focus and participants. Policymakers and government influencers attend the influential meeting as well as politicians. The 2018 forum is during IMEX itself on May 15 at the InterContinental Frankfurt. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Global Association Hubs Partnership has revealed that its four member-cities – Brussels, Dubai, Singapore and Washington DC – are home to 9.6 percent of association headquarters and regional offices. They’re also enjoying growth of three times the global average. In the past year 35 associations have opened offices in GAHP cities. From Association Meetings International…
The nature of venues and of how organisers use them is changing. If coffee shops are now suitable spaces, why not cinemas? The refurbished Stella in South Dublin – an Art Deco time capsule – is visited in this article, with some Bold ideas for small meetings featured as well. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
Positive Impact has marked the end of its campaign during the UN Year of Sustainable Tourism with the launch of a report at IBTM World “Telling the Story of the Power of Events”. The report which has had input from five academics and had a three month period of accepting contributions from across the global…
The Joint Meetings Industry Council has announced the winner of the 2017 JMIC Profile and Power Award as Isabel Bardinet, CEO of the Eurpoean Society of Cardiology. The award was made in recognition of her longstanding role as an outspoken advocate for redefining the value of meetings and events in terms of their broader professional…
The annual IBTM Trends Watch report has been released at IBTM World in Barcelona, Spain, and reveals further resilience and confidence in the international meetings industry. The study is based on over 25 sources, as well as on interviews with senior sector figures. Across global markets its outlook is broadly positive. From Meetings & Conventions…
Gothenburg leads the world’s meetings destinations in sustainability performance, according to the second Global Destination Sustainability Index. The Swedish city also won the Index’s innovation award. Glasgow came fifth, but was also the most-improved over the past year. Cities with a sustainability strategy for meetings increased their performance by 25 percent in 2017. From Meetings & Conventions…
Those travelling internationally to an event are more flexible than domestic travellers about journey times. While a Barbican poll recently showed that 58 percent of domestic delegates wanted journeys of less than an hour, the venue’s research also shows one third of international attendees willing to travel ten hours to a meeting. From Meetpie.com…
It’s awards time again, and the marketing category of any major ceremony is always hotly contested, as for example at the recent ICCA Congress in Prague (News: “FMCCA Wins Best Marketing Award”). One Iceberg partner, SoolNua, boasts not only the Chairman of Judges of that ceremony, but also a nomination in another. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
The head of security for the London 2012 Olympics, former MI5 Director General Lord Evans, has given the keynote at a Sydney Speaker Series lunch in London. The event was organised by both Business Events Sydney and ICC Sydney, and hosted by the High Commission of Australia. The Iceberg was also invited. If there was any doubt…
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