“Business events are the perfect tool to stimulate a high value economy and to solve our social and environmental problems.”
Most of us returned euphoric, if not exhausted, by the frantic edition of IMEX 2023. No talk of Covid nor evidence of it. Good riddance.
But something has changed. The conversation.
We lead Issue #105 with urban observer, Prof. Greg Clark CBE FAcSS, who co-moderated the IMEX Policy Forum – the Business Event Sector’s primary meeting place for advocacy and political engagement. He gives 5 reasons why the narrative has shifted below our Iceberg’s rising waterline.
Also in this #105’s abundance of new narrative we enjoy another insight from outside of the sector [as Geoff Donaghy says, “it’s what others say about you rather than what we say about ourselves” – see Opinions] to address the other dominant conversation in the bars of Frankfurt; the role that AI will play in transforming the delivery and maybe the creation, disruption, or destruction of business events. The other lead feature comes from The Iceberg’s coolest of publishing partners, Meetings International [they call it “slow journalism” and we love it], which reaches out [a phrase less loveable] to Scott Steinberg, President & CEO of Bizdev to unfold the AI spaghetti.
Next month, PCMA reveals PROJECT SPARK in response to the opportunities and threats presented by AI. “AI will not take our jobs away but those who use AI will take our jobs away!” says CEO, Sherrif Karamat. Doesn’t miss a trick, does he?!
But meanwhile, recline and absorb the non-artificial, human engineered, people inspired affluence of BE sector insights, legacies [including our old friend Dr. Ryan D’Arcy of BIOTIC in Halifax, Nova Scotia – see Opinions also], news, views, and research that confirm why and how business events are changemakers…
Enjoy, and share!
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“Nobody is thinking anymore abut business events as some sort of sub-set of tourism”, said world-renown urbanist Prof. Greg Clark CBE FAcSS of The Business of Cities at last week’s IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt. Instead, he believes, “business events are the perfect tool to stimulate a high value economy and to solve our social…
By Scott Steinberg, from Meetings International: If artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) seem everywhere, remember: From Open AI’s ChatGPT to Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing, and Amazon’s offerings, the party is just starting. Soon, meeting and event planners (not to mention attendees) won’t just be able to leverage smart and self-aware technology assistants to…
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Celebrating 25 Years of Meet Cambridge with a community gathering entitled ‘Events: Matters Arising’, the organisation’s head, Judith Sloane, combines with TBOE’s Martin Fullard to illustrate a new mindset anchored in the pursuit of policy support for both the city and the UK Government’s social and sectoral priorities. The UK’s crucible of knowledge is blessed…
Each year at the ICCA Gala Dinner at IMEX, ICCA announces the winner of the Global Influencer Award, which recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to, and influence on, the global meetings industry. On 24th May ICCA President Marta Gomes and CEO Senthil Gopinath were delighted to present the 2023 award to Isabel Bardinet. From ICCA…
The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), a newly established organisation representing the business events industry, has announced its board of directors and revealed its fresh brand ahead of its official launch on 3 July. With a commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes, ranging from large corporations to small enterprises… From spicenews.com.au…
By Paul Colston, from Conference & Meetings World: Cvent, the global meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, has announced the launch of its AI Writing Assistant. This innovative tool is incorporated directly within the Cvent platform and is designed to leverage the power of generative AI to streamline the content creation process.
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and societal change, governments globally need tools and platforms that can advance a broad-based growth and transformation in the most effective ways. The primary value of the Meetings Industry is the role it plays in facilitating and supporting essential exchanges in the areas of professional, corporate, academic and social…
Sarawak will establish and position itself as Malaysia and Borneo’s first legacy capital for business events in the wake of Indonesia’s new capital city development on Borneo, the Premier of the state said at the 10th Anak Sarawak Awards organised by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). From Conference & Meetings World…
By Paul Colston, from Exhibition World: International event organiser and digital services group Informa has announced the addition of specialist B2B events, data and media group, Chicago-based Winsight, for $380m, payable in cash to owners HPS Investment Partners…
Specialist events insurer InEvexco Ltd has been acquired by AssuredPartners, a US-based, private equity backed insurance broker with an international portfolio. Kent-based InEvexco was founded in 2011 and over the course of a decade, has established itself as a market-leading insurance specialist for the events industry. From Exhibition News…
A new conference for European association professionals involved in public affairs and advocacy is taking place next month. The European Conference of Association Public Affairs and Advocacy Professionals, run by ASSOCIATIONWORLD, will bring together association public affairs experts and MEPs with the aim of establishing ‘Europe’s prime platform and knowledge-transfer event… From AMI Magazine…
“Climate change is something we’re all facing and, to be successful, we all have to approach it in the most productive and effective way for our individual circumstances” – Alan Steel, CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center. Learn how Alan and the Javits Center are working towards…
UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf gives a recap of the hot topics among policymakers, national associations and the international chambers during the AHK World Conference, including how Germany can continue to build on the strong track record that has enabled them to become one of the leading global exhibition markets next to the US and China…
IMEX America 2022 has been recognised as the fastest growing tradeshow in the US. The IMEX Group was awarded the accolade at Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, with the Las Vegas-based show taking first place for fastest growing show in North America by number of exhibitors. From IMEX Group…
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The 2021 BestCities Global Forum in Madrid came just a few months after the city hosted the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) Congress. The Iceberg has been following the evolution of its legacy engagement project – The Madrid Project – which derived from a revolutionary RFP created by CEO Alessandro Cortese, and explained…
Liver disease is killing over 300,000 Europeans every year. It is one of the silent killers of mass destruction. And it’s about to get significantly worse… In a case study video double-bill The Iceberg shares the ‘Legacy and Impact Trilogy’ developed for the International Liver Congress (ILC) in London by the European Association for the…
In December, the BestCities Global Alliance convened once more for its annual Forum, this time in Vancouver. The event always breaks new ground, particularly regards the evolution of impacts and legacies sought by professional associations and societies, and the host, to advance social and economic transformation. This was no exception. After the development of the…
What happens when associations prioritise long-term positive impact in the early planning stages of their event? And what kind of activities and outcomes can it lead to? To cast light on this, Copenhagen Legacy Lab is launching a series of legacy case studies. Throughout 2022, Copenhagen Legacy Lab has been rolled out at several congresses…
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ICCA announces the return of its annual Country and City Rankings for 2022 after an absence of two years. The publication of the rankings coincides with the World Health Organization’s recent declaration that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, thereby emphasising the return to normalcy for the association meetings industry. From ICCA…
The Events Industry Council (EIC) in partnership with Oxford Economics, has released findings from its 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events study, which measures the full scope and economic significance of the $1.6 trillion USD global business events industry. For the first-time, EIC and Oxford Economics measured the critical role business events serve…
In unsettled and volatile times, short-term efforts to strengthen organizational resilience dominate the agenda at many companies, according to a new report by global consulting firm McKinsey & Company. But business leaders also are facing a range of organizational shifts that have significant long-term implications for structures, people, and business processes… From PCMA Convene…
In this whitepaper, The Hague Convention Bureau – the official organisation that promotes The Hague as an event destination – explores the meaning of legacy. What does it mean to audiences and how can The International City of Peace & Justice and a leading destination for global association events, support clients to achieve their legacy…
The industry has changed for event planners. And with new research data available, we have a better understanding of why. These changes have a lot to do with the changing demographics of event goers — they’re continuing to get younger. So let’s dive in and meet your Next Gen Event Goers… From freeman.com…
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Interim CEO of Destination Gold Coast in Australia and speaking at AIME 2023 in Melbourne, Karen Bolinger explains that Brisbane’s winning bid for the 2032 Olympics needs to leverage the opportunity to shine a light on the Gold Coast’s assets in the Allied Health Services, Education, Creative Film, and Business sectors using key ambassadors to…
In the early 2000s, Halifax, Nova Scotia embarked on an ambitious quest to grow its life sciences ecosystem across a span of sub-sectors — including neuroscience. Nestled along the east coast of Canada, the harbour city had all the ingredients for a thriving sector… From Destination Canada…
From Look Ahead Consulting, this episode of Look Ahead with Anna is dedicated to the behind-the-scenes outcomes of IMEX Frankfurt 2023 for those watching this amazing event unfold from afar. Here are Iceberg Ambassador Anna Look’s top picks, including the good, unique and controversial…
Has the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) changed our view of how the world will develop? AI can create art no one thought existed and can change the whole academic world because some students think it’s okay to put a word programme like Jasper AI or ChatGPT to write complete essays… From Meetings International…
By Catie Owen, from Conference & Meetings World: The workforce’s latest recruits seem to be an enigma to many. Usually considered to have been born between 1997–2012, the oldest members of Generation Z are beginning to populate industries worldwide. But if that’s the case, why is the events industry failing to attract them?
By Pamela Wilton, Global Business Development at Destination Canada: As we navigate climate change, diversity and inclusion, and health and well-being, these themes have become increasingly intertwined with all aspects of our lives. Personally, I have been fortunate to delve deeper into these topics from the perspective of business events…
By James Lancaster, AMI Magazine: Associations must decide what they want an event to achieve in terms of legacy and host cities should act as nothing more than facilitating partners, according to a new white paper by Hague & Partners Convention Bureau. Cities who actively push a legacy agenda, to reap long-term local benefits…
From Boardroom Magazine: Statistician George E.P. Box coined this aphorism in relation to his own discipline, but it’s since been appropriated by almost every field of human endeavour. International Advisor to Global Association Hubs Martin Sirk explores how it applies to association business models, with a little help from his new AI assistant…
By Geoff Donaghy: Being called a leader is not something you can necessarily bestow on yourself. The title is best reflected in the observations and comments of your team and your important stakeholders. To be an effective leader requires more than just reading textbooks and following prescribed rules. From Conference & Meetings World…
In a time when over two billion people do not have access to clean drinking water and more than 700 children under the age of five die every day due to unsafe water, a more water-secure world should take center stage in all discussions aimed at our global future. From inkstickmedia.com…
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Contracting an event can be a stressful and time-consuming process for both the event strategist and host destination, and the last thing anyone wants is for unforeseen circumstances to force a cancellation. Cancellations can happen for a variety of reasons, from natural disasters and inclement weather to unexpected societal events or shifts in political climate,…
The Visitor Services Summit is a gathering of visitor experience and community engagement professionals. Join us this year as we focus on re-envisioning the purpose and value of the visitor center and how we engage with our communities, visitors, and residents. Learn from your peers as we share best practices, opportunities, and new innovations.
As an event organizer, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) often means bringing groups of attendees, speakers, and suppliers together from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. But there is still work to be done when it comes to activating allies both internally and externally. This work includes planning events that enact diverse, equitable, and inclusive…
The Summer School provides great insights into the structure and functioning of the Meetings Industry. Our programme, filled with up-to-date and cutting edge examples of European best practice, lays out a comprehensive framework for you to build your expertise in one of the tourism industry’s most lucrative sector. It is perfect for those just starting…
Learn how to manage destinations through regenerative business models, destination stewardship approaches, and stakeholder engagement methodologies. We are all under pressure: visitor economies, their host communities, the earth, and the vulnerable. We need a new approach to recover, flourish, and thrive.
The 18th TourMIS Users’ Workshop & International Seminar will be hosted in Vienna, September 7-8, 2023. It is organised jointly by City Destinations Alliance, the European Travel Commission & Modul University Vienna and is aimed at city, regional, national, and international tourism organizations, as well as universities and companies from the hospitality and tourism industry. It is directed toward managers,…
Work alongside industry peers and grow your global network; continue to stay on top of market trends and developments in the exhibition industry. The programme will cover a wide range of relevant industry topics; set to two hours per topic, the online UFI-EMS will allow you to take part in the training in addition to…
The Complete Sustainable Events Course is a 6-week online course for event and meeting professionals who want to drive their organisation’s sustainability strategy. Whether you’re an event planner or a supplier to the industry, have already started your sustainability journey or it’s completely new to you, the course gives you advanced learning to become an…
From regenerative strategy development, to circular thinking and the SDGs, to conducting supply chain analysis and reducing food waste, our training enables professionals to become leaders empowered with up-to-date knowledge on best practises and how to implement regenerative practices. Our courses are personal, practical, backed by decades of experience, and informed by the latest theory…
Every Wednesday, Iceberg Ambassador Anna Look hosts a FREE Q&A session to motivate & inspire business event professionals. Boost your week, ready to slay your 2023 sales targets with Anna’s industry trends insights and advice on tackling your specific prospecting worries. Let Anna help you get unstuck with tips, tricks and motivation.
Discover how Singapore, as a premiere business event destination, can help you organize impactful conferences. In this special Knowledge Capital Boardroom MiniCourse, Carrie Kwik, Executive Director Europe, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, explains what makes Singapore so special when it comes to organizing high-quality association events that will have long-lasting legacies both for your organization…
On-demand education from experienced industry professionals: This series of lessons can be reviewed at your own pace, on-demand, saving your progress as you go. At the end, you will take a quiz on what you’ve learned to receive a certificate of completion for CMP credits.
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EduCon’s energetic, immersive and provocative program attracts thought leaders, event marketers, experience designers and business events strategists from around the world. EduCon is known industrywide for its innovative approach to education — and the small-group learning that builds lasting relationships.
Meet face-to-face with hundreds of UK and global suppliers: from hotels, destinations, and destination management companies, to conference centres, venues and technology suppliers. Gain insight and inspiration from industry leaders through our comprehensive education programme. Attend countless networking events happening at the show and throughout London.
The premier hosted-buyer event designed to connect top suppliers and destinations with planners looking for creative solutions to elevate their small and boutique-sized meetings in the U.S. and beyond. Small & Boutique Meetings — Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings — bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs…
The EsportsTravel Summit is the world’s largest gathering of esports tournament and video-game event organizers and the only event focused on the travel side of the esports industry. Launched in conjunction with the TEAMS Conference & Expo in 2017, the EsportsTravel Summit was an immediate success because it helped fill an information vacuum that exists…
The Annual Conference brings together members to consider key industry issues and hear from top professionals in a variety of related fields. AIPC Annual Conference 2023 will take place in Luxembourg, where it will be hosted by the European Convention Center Luxembourg (ECCL).
Destinations International’s Annual Convention provides an opportunity to connect peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry; an integrated approach to learning regardless of your budget size or discipline focus; relationship-based exchanges among industry providers and destination organizations; diversity of thought by assembling the best minds in local insight and global expertise.
Destination Southeast — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — brings together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, attractions, DMCs, DMOs and tourism offices from the Southeastern states including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled…
An attendee favorite, Destination Caribbean, brings together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs and tourism offices from the Caribbean. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments with strongly vetted buyers, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group, all while enjoying Puerto…
Join your industry peers for the must attend hosted-buyer event bringing together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, attractions, DMCs, DMOs and tourism offices from the Midwest U.S. Meet buyers who are ready to book business in: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota,…
IBTM Americas is the CONNECTION BRIDGE for the PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS INDUSTRY across the AMERICAS. Our purpose is clear: DO BUSINESS, NETWORKING, ENGAGE AND INSPIRING through a 365-DAY BUSINESS PLATFORM with digital and face-to-face initiatives.
Meet Copenhagen; the cultural capital of the North, the World Capital of Architecture in 2023 and one of the most liveable cities in the world. Enjoy picturesque, cobbled squares, canals and copper spires, try out the best shopping, restaurants, and nightlife in Northern Europe and be inspired by our green initiatives, international connectivity, creative environments,…
Destination California — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — enables attendees to experience firsthand the most desirable destinations, hotels and activities for successful meetings, while making invaluable business connections. This unique event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands—Successful Meetings, Meetings & Conventions, and Incentive magazine.
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A founding member of ICC Sydney’s leadership team, Sam developed the communications and marketing strategies that have resulted in establishing one of the business events industry’s strongest brands. Storytelling, building emotional connection and strong stakeholder engagement have been core to ICC Sydney’s successful brand development throughout its pre-opening, launch and operational phases. Sam steered the…
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Sven joined AIPC as CEO in May 2020. Together with the Board, the Members and the Business Partners he will be spearheading a transformation programme which will result into an entirely new value proposal to Convention and Exhibition Centres across the globe based on the changing needs of the members and the challenges they are…
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Having lived and worked in Asia, Africa and Europe before moving to Canada in 2010, Virginie is the Senior Director of Business Development – Economic Sectors for Destination Canada Business Events (DCBE), Virginie is responsible for leading the development and implementation of DCBE’s global economic sector strategy and team to increase overnight visitations to Canada…
Working out of both USA and Netherlands; projects in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America, with a mix of clients including IMEX, UFI, SITE and other international associations and meetings companies. Expert Advisor to tech start-up Kubify, Strategic Relations Advisor to IASP, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and International Advisor to…
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Amelia is a pioneer of BESarawak with over 21 years of branding, marketing and PR experience whose career in the sector began as a sales coordinator. Within 12 years, she helms the organisation as a CEO. Coming from the indigenous Bidayuh tribe of Sarawak, she is passionate about developing her homeland and providing opportunities for…
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As Chief Advocacy Officer, Jack Johnson manages the overall public policy operations at Destinations International including member advocacy education and training, development of destination tools and best practices, coalition work with peer organizations, industry research and related public affairs activities. He also oversees the board governance, the Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) and the DestinationNEXT…
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Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. He is a prominent business architect, enabling communities to become…
Jane loves life in the Nordics and the spirit of Scotland. Her expertise is based on 20 years of experience across the global meetings industry. Over this time she has been fortunate to have gained wonderful experience and friends from working for some great hotels, a convention centre, a destination marketing organisation, a PCO, and…
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Alex Alles joined JMIC Joint Meetings Industry Council in August 2022. There he is responsible for the overall operations of the association as well as the project office of the Net Zero Carbon Events. NZCE is an industry-wide initiative aiming to help stakeholders of the meetings and events sectors to decarbonise. Before joining JMIC, Alex…
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