NEW BALLS PLEASE: Next generation association members opting for purpose & impact. The Iceberg Down Under.
A distinctly sporting and antipodean feel about Issue #113 of Business Events World from The Iceberg with much of the dynamic content from the BestCities Global Forum coinciding with the Australian Open Tennis major from Melbourne.
In Features, The Iceberg reviews the Forum, visits Business Events Sydney (BeS)’s Carolin Lenehan for a deep-dive into government engagement and the ‘Change Starts Here’ Agenda, and shares partner publisher Association Meetings International (AMI)’s report on the scientific cluster and meeting point of Wellington, New Zealand. Intellectual Capitalism is never far from an RFP as scientific meetings increasingly search out relevant content, membership potential, and sponsorship when it comes to destination selection. But as is a common theme in this edition of BEW, so too is the changing landscape of association membership demands, the next-gen expectations for attending business events, and their definition of value creation shifting from profit to purpose. Impacts are the climate offsets.
More on this from Melbourne Convention Bureau’s Julia Swanson, and Strategic Membership Solutions’ Belinda Moore in Opinions with implications for all association and destination stakeholders as the transactional relationship softens in favour of mutually assured impact and legacy strategies being built into professional meetings. See Caroline Mackenzie of the Hip Preservation Society, and other leading association voices in the Forum review.
In News, Destinations International and CityDNA collaborate on global accessibility study, the GDS-Index lights up the BBC’s Travel pages, and AIME delivers a $330m marketplace. Sydney echoes Lenehan’s pursuit of events resolving ‘the world’s wicked problems’ by securing the World Conference of Women’s Shelters and on the subject of social justice, PCMA shares Lyn Lewis-Smith’s commentary on what’s keeping women out of the Business Events C-suite (in Opinions). Still in News, and still in Australia, ABEA confirms commitment from the Minister of Trade & Tourism that a new data dashboard will better measure the $20.9bn direct economic contribution of business events to GDP but falls short of measuring long-tail socio-economic impacts. In Canada, the champagne corks were popping in Destination Canada Towers as the DMO launched its $50m International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) aligning bids to the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. The Exhibitions & Conference Alliance’s Tommy Goodwin celebrates and ECA win with reduced visa waiting times in the U.S but calls for the sector to finish the job at Legislative Action Day on May 30th. Our man on the hill is certainly making an impact.
Terrorists kill 137 at Moscow Expo.
In Case Studies, the BestCities march forth with their second release, the World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) which has featured throughout many of the member cities, and PCMA shares the story of the Grow-NY Summit’s $3m start-up fund for innovators in the agrifood ecosystem.
In Opinions, but yet still in Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald shares American Nobel Prize winning biochemist, Jennifer Doudna’s view that “collaboration is fundamental to the story of CRISPR (a new technique for editing DNA) which resulted from a collision between herself and a French microbiologist, Prof. Emanuelle Charpentier based in Sweden while attending a microbiology conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2011. Conferli shares its podcast with VisitBritain Business Events’ Growth Stakeholder Manager, Laura Caprioli, and renowned urbanist and friend of the Business Events Sector, Prof. Greg Clark, shares his essay titled ‘Australia and The Future Cities Agenda’ ahead of the Property Council of Australia’s annual summit. Christopher Barrett introduces the sector to ‘carbon removed’ events citing the O2 Arena in London hosting the first carbon removed concerts, a concept engineered by AEG Europe, A Greener Future, and CUR8. Veemal Gungedin, CEO at PCMA partner Gevme, says the content leakage from events is a missed opportunity for event planners but that AI, specifically his latest package Snapsight, is the plug. Advocacy superweight Jack Johnson of Destinations International follows up on ‘Destination Promotion as A Catalyst for Community Vitality’ see Research in #112) with his views on what the Oscars can teach us about ‘How Words & Actions Matter’ when engaging with government and others.
And Boardroom magazine kindly introduce Gerda Marie Rist, Copenhagen Convention Bureau’s new lead on the Copenhagen Legacy Lab. Welcome Gerda – and with an immediate impact emerging as BestCities prepare to share news from Copenhagen’s foray into DIY…
More bounty from the ensuing pages and links – remember to scroll left or right in each section to find even more of the best of The Iceberg’s featured partner and publisher news, views, events, and education as we wave goodbye to the Australian summer and usher in Carina’s springtime party in Frankfurt. Roll on IMEX as it prepares to welcome associations to its Amsterdam-sponsored Association Focus hosted by The Iceberg partner and ambassador Martin Sirk of the Global Association Hubs Partnership – click on the banner above!
Enjoy and share.
The Curator
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CREATING CONNECTIONS WITH PURPOSE: The BestCities Global Alliance’s annual Forum was delayed from December 2023 to coincide with the Australian Tennis Open, in Melbourne, in January where international associations and the 13 member cities of the Alliance convened to advance positive impact and social legacies from their meetings. Loren Christie, managing director of the Alliance…
In a candid interview from Sydney, New South Wales, the General Manager of Content, Creative & Corporate Affairs at Business Events Sydney – Carolin Lenehan – shares the conversation that is now being had between her organisation and government – a conversation that The Iceberg would urge all DMOs to share with their city, state,…
From AMI Magazine: New Zealand is strengthening its reputation as it puts science and innovation at the top of its agenda. And it’s proving attractive for associations bringing their conferences to its capital city, Wellington. Wellington boasts the largest research, science and innovation workforce in New Zealand. Whether it’s life sciences, climate innovation, or the…
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From BBC: Five standout cities making the world a better place | The Global Destination Sustainability Index reveals the destinations that are working towards a sustainable and lower-carbon future. With time running out to keep global temperature to a 1.5C rise – above which, experts warn, consequences could include far hotter days, higher sea-levels and…
From Australian Business Events Association: An announcement by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State Senator the Hon Don Farrell (pictured above) said the Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to better measure the contribution of business events to the Australian economy through the development of a new business events…
From TSNN: Last June, nearly 100 business events industry leaders and advocates went to Capitol Hill to ask their members of Congress to do three important things: Encourage the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to finish its proposed anti-scammer rule; Advance legislation to help our industry train the next generation workforce; Introduce legislation to help bring…
From Conference & Meetings World: In a move that is seen as a big bet on, and boost for business travel, global travel software and services company American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CWT, a global business travel and solutions provider. The transaction…
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified advocacy voice of the business events industry, applauds the inclusion of supplemental funding for the U.S. Department of State to reduce visa wait times as part of a six-bill package of fiscal year 2024 government funding bills. The legislation provides the U.S. Department of State $50 million…
From Exhibition World: Reports from Moscow have said at least 137 people were dead and more than 150 wounded after terrorists opened fire on people attending a rock concert at Crocus City Hall, 22 March. The hall is situated in the city region suburb of Krasnogorsk. The concert hall was opened in 2009 and is…
From Boardroom: Destination Canada announced the International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF), a new initiative aimed at enhancing Canada’s role as a leading destination for international conventions and business events. Supported by a $50 million investment from the 2023 Federal Budget, this program aligns with the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy’s objective to advance Canada’s tourism industry.
Adapting to change is a top priority for association planners today – whether it’s shifting member needs and demographics, or balancing budgets, policies and partnerships. It’s a topic that runs throughout Association Focus, sponsored by Amsterdam Convention Bureau – a dedicated day of education for association professionals. Taking place on Monday May 13, the day…
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has today released analysis from its blockbuster 2024 show, with business traded between exhibitors and buyers estimated to be worth more than $330 million over the next 12 months – a 65% increase on 2023. The tradeshow was AIME’s largest in a decade, with more than 570…
From BESydney: Wesnet (Women’s Services Network Inc.) is pleased to announce that together with the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS), Australia will be hosting the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters (5WCWS) in Sydney from 15-18 September 2025. This will be the first time ever held in the Southern Hemisphere. Launched in New York…
Destinations International and City Destinations Alliance are collaborating on a global accessibility study to provide valuable insights into where destinations are on their journey to becoming accessible to people with disabilities; significant progress is already underway in North America, Europe and beyond. Please support the study by completing the survey…
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The World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC), hosted in various BestCities destinations, has been a beacon of hope and progress for individuals with Down syndrome. By bringing together families, professionals, and self-advocates, the Congress has fostered a global community dedicated to inclusion and advocacy. Each congress, organized by Down Syndrome International, has been a platform for…
From PCMA: Rooted in New York but reaching the world online, the Grow-NY Competition and Summit provides $3 million in funding for innovative startups working throughout the agrifood ecosystem, from new farming technologies to ready-to-eat food products. No one understands the importance of proper cultivation better than those who work in the food and agriculture…
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This latest First Look Research survey by Northstar Meetings Group, sponsored by IHG Group, suggests remote working is now a permanent fixture for event professionals, with only six per cent of employers who made the switch to hybrid during the pandemic enforcing a full-time return to the office. In fact, just over one in ten…
From Destinations International: DI’s landmark study, Destination Promotion: An Engine of Economic Development, confirmed that destinations with substantial visitor economies tend to outperform their peers, making destination promotion a true engine of economic development. Ten years later, we update and expand this research to demonstrate the far-reaching positive impacts of destination promotion, extending beyond the…
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From the BestCities Global Forum, hosted in January by Melbourne, its Convention Bureau Chief Executive, Julia Swanson, reflects on the values alignment now being demanded by future members of professional societies and associations. Cultural alignment, a sense of purpose, and creating long lasting community impacts are top of mind for the next generation, she says….
From the BestCities Global Forum in Melbourne earlier this year, Strategic Membership Solutions’ owner, Belinda Moore, was perhaps the pick of the speakers on view. Covering 9 challenges that keep association executives awake at night, the editor of Associations Evolve shares her insights with The Iceberg. Destinations that embrace the association challenges will succeed…
By Veemal Gungadin, CEO of Gevme | Tech Entrepreneur: As event professionals, you pour your hearts and souls into crafting unforgettable experiences. You curate engaging speakers, design thought-provoking workshops, and foster a dynamic environment for idea exchange. But here’s a sobering truth: the magic often fades as quickly as the last attendee leaves. Hours of…
From PCMA: Women make up 70 percent of the global events industry workforce yet hold only 16 percent of the top management positions, according to a new research report. We talked to Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis- Smith, who spearheaded the report with the PCMA Foundation, about what can — and should — be…
From Access All Areas, by Christopher Barrett: The Event Production Show conference saw key stakeholders in the world’s first carbon removed arena shows reveal the work involved in the project, how removal compares to reduction and offsetting, and why it could become an essential approach for the live events industry. A partnership between AEG Europe,…
From Property Council of Australia, by Prof. Greg Clark: To set the scene to next week’s Future Cities Summit, world renowned urbanist Greg Clark has penned an essay addressing the core issues on the Summit agenda: This future cities agenda does not just imagine a world of hyper competition between 10,000 cities. It also anticipates…
Join us for our season premiere as we welcome Laura Caprioli, Growth & Stakeholder Manager at VisitBritain. Laura returns to delve deeper into the groundbreaking legacy toolkit, a must-know for partner destinations. If you missed Season 1, catch up on Episode 7! In this episode, Laura gives us a crash course on the legacy toolkit…
From The Sydney Morning Herald: Great discoveries – the ones that alter the course of human history – rarely happen with the sudden “Eureka!” moment you see in the movies: a lone inventor’s sudden flash of genius, giving birth to a fully formed breakthrough no one has ever thought of before. In the real world,…
In an interview with Boardroom, Gerda Marie Rist, the Lead of Copenhagen Legacy Lab, shares her unique journey and the innovative work being done at the Lab. With a rich background in pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, and roles within the healthcare and life science industries, Gerda Marie discusses how the Legacy Lab leverages strategic conference planning…
From Destinations International, by Jack Johnson: Every year, the Academy Awards airs in late winter (this year, it is March 10). For non-movie lovers, this is the annual event held by the United States-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to present its Academy Awards of Merit, better known as the Oscars. The awards…
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Co-created by ICCA, Meet4Impact and GainingEdge, the Association Impact Masterclass is a new groundbreaking training programme, aligning seamlessly with the ICCASkills certification programme. This initiative will add valuable enhanced capabilities to the skillsets of association professionals worldwide, enabling them to design, deliver, and measure the impacts of their activities. Associations play a crucial role globally…
At IMEX you can enjoy expert education, explore the latest event trends and experience your most productive days of the year. Whether you’re an events newbie or a pro (or anything in between), IMEX 2024 is exactly where you need to be. And as an added bonus – attendance is completely free.
ICCASkills Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) Course | Unlock your potential and elevate your career. This course is designed for early and mid-level professionals, or young graduates wanting to gain hands-on knowledge about the industry and become a specialist in the field. No minimum experience required. Gain insights and knowledge on all aspects of the…
UFI and MBB-Consulting Group (MBB) are working to provide this industry education programme for exhibition organisers: the UFI-Exhibition Management School (UFI-EMS). The curriculum was developed jointly with the UFI community, making it a programme designed by exhibition organisers for exhibition organisers. Target Group: Mid to Senior representatives from Exhibition Organising Companies; Language: English; Format: Online…
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. The Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program prepares senior executives to lead…
The CityDNA 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…
The Intellectual Capital (IC) certificate program caters to destination sales and services professionals at all career stages. This program provides participants with vital knowledge and practical skills to effectively utilize the community’s infrastructure and economic resources, human and social connections, as well as cultural and creative assets. These capabilities directly contribute to the success of…
Become an authority on live stream and digital events; master the art of event measurement, from event conception to post-event debrief; crack the code on producing hybrid events that work for your organization’s needs, budget, and technology; solve complex business challenges with innovation-driven strategic solutions – study on-the-go and on your schedule with PCMA…
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…
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.
CCASkills delivers the only globally recognised certification for suppliers in every sector of the meetings industry. From juniors to executives, ICCASkills benefits meetings services professionals at any stage of their career. The two different certification tracks offer tailored learning paths and advanced course content. All instructors are industry experts with proven teaching abilities and international…
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For each of the past 16 years, the AIPC Sales and Marketing Summit has proven to be the perfect kick-off for member participation in IMEX and all the client and industry interactions it entails. Summit participants have the opportunity to compare notes on current issues, consider the latest industry trends and hear from representatives of…
At the occasion of IMEX Frankfurt, the CityDNA Meetings Industry Knowledge Group would like to invite you and your colleagues from the Convention Bureau to attend a session specifically curated to exchange and discuss current challenges amongst peers, before a networking reception. This CVB Café will take place on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Frankfurt.
IMEX is where the global business events community comes together for four exhilarating days every year. Where more than 3,800 meeting planners meet with 2,900 suppliers from every corner of the globe. This is where powerful business connections that offer real ROI are made. Where you can enjoy expert education, explore the latest event trends…
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 ninth edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) will be held under the theme “Exhibitions are catalysts to sustainable futures”. Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of June, all interested in increasing the visibility of the exhibitions industry regionally and on a global scale are invited to participate. The GED 2024 theme reinforces the role…
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 and other suppliers ready to welcome smaller events. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group. Learn from,…
Open to all exhibition industry professionals, the conference is the most important annual gathering of exhibition industry leaders in the region. Connected to the main event, Zurich will also host the 2nd edition of the Event Directors Summit – a “by invitation only event” for 50 exhibition and portfolio directors, launched at the 2023 European…
Step into the exciting world of sports with TEAMS Europe! Presented by SportsTravel, the event is part of the renowned TEAMS brand, which has been shaping and defining the sports-event industry for over 20 years. Join sporting-event rights holders, destinations and suppliers for an exclusive opportunity to network, share insights, and learn about the latest…
The Meetings Show is the UK’s leading exhibition for the events, meetings, and incentives community. Proudly brought to you by Northstar Meetings Group, a name synonymous with excellence in the MICE industry, we’ve been bringing together thousands of event professionals since our launch in 2013. It’s an event all about connections – providing a platform…
Destination West is the premier hosted-buyer event for qualified meetings and incentive professionals sourcing programs in the West. Formerly Discover Colorado, Destination West will also include other destinations and hotels in the Western U.S. Destination West enables attendees to experience firsthand the most desirable destinations, hotels and activities for successful meetings, while making invaluable business…
This year’s conference is themed Next Gen Venues: The Power of Collaboration. Our aim is to delve into the evolution of conference venues, focusing on creating a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) that is instrumental in attracting delegates. We’re dedicated to exploring innovations across the entire event value chain – not just in…
The Visitor Services Summit is a gathering of visitor experience and community engagement professionals. Join us 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.
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Aileen has worked in the meetings industry for over 25 years and is currently the Head of Tourism and Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Glasgow Life. Aileen has served on the board of ICCA as Destination Co-Chair. The Convention Bureau focus on attracting and supporting association conferences to meet in Glasgow. The Bureau offer a…
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Loren Christie brings more than 25 years of experience in Tourism & Hospitality to his role as Managing Director of the BestCities Global Alliance. He held various leadership positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts during his 17 year career with them including Director of Sales for International Congress, Business Transient and Leisure Sales at the…
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Marta Gomes has spent nearly 20 years working in the international events and meetings industry. She has collaborated extensively with professors, association executives and destination partners to attract international congresses to Paris, one of the leading global destinations for international events. As Deputy Executive Director Sales, she is charge of sales and business development for…
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…
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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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…
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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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Gary has over 30 years’ experience in the convention industry. In 2004 he founded GainingEdge, a global consulting company that offers advisory services in relation to destinations, convention bureaus and convention and exhibition centres. It also provides convention and incentive sales representation services in all of the world’s key markets. The company’s services are end-to-end,…
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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…
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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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Gemmeke has over 15 years of experience in the meetings industry. She advises especially international associations on how to develop positive impact on the longer term with their conferences or events within Flanders (Northern Belgium) and Brussels together with the different stakeholders in the Quadruple Helix. Based in the capital of the European Union, Gemmeke…
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For the last 15 years, Guy has been delivering award-winning consulting services focused on helping cities, governments, corporations and associations step up, scale up and speed up their sustainability programmes and regenerative practices. Guy’s pioneering work has been recognised with 22 sustainability awards including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, and recognition as a Fellow…
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