The 31st M&IT Awards at Battersea Evolution. The frozen and the chosen.
The UK’s arctic snap continues. As you can read in both News and Opinions (click right), the 31st M&IT Awards drew attendees to London through the ice and chill, with one actually needing a snowplough to exit her house and get to the ball. Did even Cinderella have it so bad? Congratulations to all at M&IT on a great night.
Elsewhere in this issue of Business Events World and on The Iceberg, Australia continues to snatch News headlines (click right). Brisbane has snagged fifteen bids worth over AU$22 million in the first two months of 2018 alone. It has also announced the first recipients of its Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant. Tourism Australia has launched a AU$12m national bid fund. The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux said the move would cause significant disruption to the global business events landscape.
A new £30 million venue has opened in Farnborough, and ACC Liverpool is celebrating ten years and over a thousand conferences. Spain, China, and Dallas are among the most popular meeting and incentive destinations of 2018. Reed Travel Exhibitions has bowed out of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo after eighteen years. Legislators have approved a $76 million budget for Visit Florida. The best of the sector has been celebrated at the International and European Association Awards, and the International Congress and Convention Association and BestCities Global Alliance’s “Incredible Impacts” grant is once again looking for inspiring examples of associations’ long-term legacies. There’s more on The Iceberg itself (click View all News).
In Opinions (click right), how the Professional Convention Management Association is deploying virtual meetings alongside face to face. Might Frances McDormand’s “inclusion rider” Oscar speech have implications for business events? How far has the industry still to go in terms of gender equality? Also… the future of medical conferences, meetings’ role in Puerto Rico’s recovery, and integrating the start-up community within events. Iceberg partner tmf dialogue marketing explores legacy stories within its own work.
In Research, more on Spain, China, and Dallas in the latest Pacific World Destination Index. And in Features (click right), how very different associations found synergy in Singapore. There’s also a round up of the current global explosion in building international conference centres.
Until the next time…
Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg
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From ICC Sydney, to NZICC in Auckland, from Setia SPICE in Penang, to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Rome’s Convention Center La Nuvola, the Paris Convention Centre, ICC Wales, and CRCC in Costa Rica, the construction of new convention centres across the world suggests face to face has a future. From Association Meetings International…
When the Singapore Tourism Bureau invited several international and European associations to come over and visit local societies and conference venues, they did not expect much symbiosis between these different organisations. But the group started to see synergies across its various fields of expertise and even dreamed up a joint congress together. From Boardroom…
In November 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. During the event, the inaugural winners of the “Incredible Impacts” grants supported by both…
Montreal has become Canada’s cultural capital: not quite North American, but not entirely European either. Already home to top-notch researchers in fields like genetics, aging, economics and life sciences, Montreal’s scientific community is building on its international reputation. It is doing this both by winning scientific awards and by attracting large-scale international conventions. From Boardroom…
The longest inhabited city on the globe, Jerusalem is not only holy to three major world religions but also an evolving association destination. Thanks to the presence of 17 academic institutions, the Israeli capital is also a modern-day knowledge hub. It boasts the largest number of start-ups and venture capital investments per capita anywhere. From Boardroom…
In November 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. During the event, the inaugural winners of the “Incredible Impacts” grants supported by both…
In November 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. During the event, the inaugural winners of the “Incredible Impacts” grants supported by both…
Friends, family, and colleagues of the late Paul Flackett joined in celebration of the IMEX and business events industry icon at a memorial event generously hosted by London’s Queen Elizabeth II Centre. Comic, emotional, and musical farewells from all corners of the world were delivered in fond remembrance of “the boy from Birmingham”. These included…
In November 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. During the event, the inaugural winners of the “Incredible Impacts” grants supported by both…
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…
With ICC Wales opening in 2019, and with key strengths in the automotive, aerospace, and marine renewable energy sectors – not to mention life sciences, cyber security and compound semiconductors – how does the land of rugby and song marshall and present its knowledge economy to attract prospective international meetings? From Intellectual Capitals…
The question is often asked: what are the benefits of holding conferences? Often the real answers to the question only emerge years after an event has taken place, when the ideas presented or connections made have become breakthroughs that save lives, change society or redefine best practice and policy. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) and the…
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Researchers in mobile robots and stem cells are among the recipients of the first Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant in Brisbane. Seven applicants have been awarded a share of AU$25,000 to attend a leading international conference and help secure the event for Brisbane in a succeeding year. From CIM News Magazine…
The best of the association sector has been celebrated at the International and European Association Awards, held in the Grand Café Hauta Art Noveau Hall, Antwerp. The ceremony was one of the highlights of the Associations World Congress, which drew more than 200 delegates to the Flanders Meeting and Convention Centre. From Association Meetings International…
The announcement of Tourism Australia’s new AU$12 million business events bid fund has been unanimously welcomed across the country’s meetings industry. The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux said the investment will cause significant disruption to the global business events landscape and help reverse a decline in Australia’s international ranking and market share. From CIM News Magazine…
Tourism Australia has launched a AU$12m national fund to support bids for new, high-value international incentive, association, and exhibition events. The announcement was made by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo in Melbourne. The fund allows Australia to compete more aggressively with destinations already operating bid funds. From CIM News Magazine…
Florida legislators have approved a $76 million budget for Visit Florida in the coming financial year, the same as for 2017 – 2018. Governor Rick Scott had called for $100 million. The Senate initially proposed $50 million. But the settlement fight was nowhere near the battle that ensued a year ago. From Meetings & Conventions…
Reed Travel Exhibitions has bowed out of the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo after eighteen years. AIME 2018 welcomed 250 hosted buyers to Melbourne, 39 percent of them new to the show and to Australia. 4,500 meetings took place over two days. AIME 2019 will be managed by Talk2 Media and Events. From CIM News Magazine…
Spain, China, and Dallas are among the most popular meeting and incentive destinations of 2018. That’s according to the latest Pacific World Destination Index, which reflects more than 5,000 international inquiries from meeting and incentive planners, actual meeting and event results, and feedback from industry participants around the world. From Successful Meetings…
ACC Liverpool is celebrating ten years since it opened its doors. The venue has hosted more than 1,000 conferences over that time. It has welcomed more than 850,000 delegates, and the campus, home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena Liverpool and Exhibition Centre Liverpool, has generated £1.45 billion for the city region. From Meetpie.com…
The Brisbane Convention Bureau has hit the ground running in 2018, notching up 15 business event bid wins worth over AU$22 million to the city’s economy. The events, all won in January and February alone, will generate more than 38,000 delegate days and span health, education, technology and finance. From CIM News Magazine…
After its successful first year, the “Incredible Impacts” award programme developed by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and BestCities Global Alliance is again looking for examples of associations’ long-term legacies. With three grants of $7,500 available, entrants can both be recognised for current legacy projects whilst also securing funds for future work. From CIM News Magazine…
A new £30 million hall at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre is now open for events. Able to accommodate up to 10,000 attendees, the purpose-built 20,000 square metre centre is located at the home of the Farnborough International Airshow and is already booked for Screwfix Live, Merchandise World and Kidz to Adultz South. From Meetpie.com…
Event professionals braved snow and freezing conditions at London’s Battersea Evolution to attend the 31st M&IT Awards. Glasgow Convention Bureau won Best UK Convention Bureau. ACC Liverpool won Best UK Conference Centre for the sixth year running, and Fast Forward 15’s Fay Sharpe was named Personality of the Year, amongst other winners. From Meepie.com…
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London Tech Week is a festival of live events taking place once a year across the United Kingdom capital. Having been held now for four years, it has become a key gathering for the ICT industry in London. It connects the entire tech ecosystem both within the city and beyond, shapes the future of the…
Many international convention centres use sophisticated methods to measure the economic impact of business events in their host cities. Others recognise the importance of food in customer experience and promote programs like paddock to plate or food miles. ICC Sydney marries these two concepts together and takes them to a new level by measuring the…
Growing its business events sector is part of Malaysia’s strategy to achieve status as a developed nation by 2020. This case study presents the contribution made by the 55th ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congress towards developing the business events sector in the country. ICCA’s event engaged political leaders and the local community to raise awareness of the needs…
The Geneva Convention Bureau has adopted a policy of promoting Geneva not only as a destination but also as a center of economic, knowledge and innovation excellence. It does this by marketing meetings and events in relation to local key clusters of industry. As a result, a dynamic and virtuous feedback loop is established between Geneva’s economic or knowledge…
This research by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) demonstrates that business events offer delegates unrestricted exposure to innovative ideas and opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills. Part of the Beyond Tourism Benefits series, the new study by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Conferences: Catalysts for Thriving Economies – provides further evidence showing that…
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Have a look Pacific World’s Destination Index, a unique tool to provide corporate, association and agency planners with an advanced indicator of destination popularity for international meetings, incentives and events. The index is based on over 5,000 international enquiries received worldwide, actual meeting and event results and highly valuable feedback from attending delegates from around…
“2017 was a good year for UK meetings industry sales growth” reports Louise Goalen, Chair of HBAA, as the HBAA Meetings Barometer results for 2017 are revealed. The average spend per meeting and average spend per delegate in the UK both grew significantly year on year in 2017, despite a slight decline in the average…
Ashfield Meetings & Events is pleased to announce a 2018 follow-up study to the 2016 “Future Of Meetings” white paper. “The Science Of Healthcare Professional Meetings” compares and contrasts the perceptions of healthcare professionals (HCPs) across a wide variety of speciality areas, and dives deeper into the ongoing evolution of the medical meetings landscape. By looking…
A new research report examining “The Rise of Midsize Cities in the Meetings Industry” in North America and Europe, commissioned by the IMEX Group and developed by Skift, has been published. The free 40+ page report carefully examines why and how some midsize cities (historically known as second-tier cities, a label they’ve now shaken off) have managed…
This Economic Significance Study (ESS), conducted by Oxford Economics, quantifies a vital industry that contributes billions of dollars to the US economy, while creating millions of jobs in almost every community in the country. The data in this study provides a clear and credible statistical base on which to gain recognition for this vast and…
The IRF 2018 Trends Study highlights ten key trends that will affect organizations, their products and services, and the workforce in 2018. From market optimism to concerns about risk and safety, the study identifies key areas of change and their implications for workforce engagement, incentive travel and recognition. IRF 2018 Trends Study (IRF website version)
This study is based on a global survey, concluded in January 2018. It represents up to date information on the development and the outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 17 specific countries and geographic zones. Global Exhibition Barometer 20th Edition (January 2018)
The United Kingdom is a preferred host for international meetings, conferences and events because of its economic, academic and industry sector strengths. That applies equally to the major gateway cities and the many regional cities spread across every corner of the UK, each with extensive clusters of expertise in advanced and creative industries. This sector…
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…
UFI’s World Map of Exhibition Venues (November 2017) reveals that the total venue space available for exhibitions has grown 7.4 percent in the last six years, from 32,500,000 to 34,900,000 square metres (gross indoor exhibition space, venues over 5,000 square metres). The fastest growth is in venues offering more than 100,000 square metres, a rise of…
This report gives an overview of the experience and intentions of exhibitors at trade shows across the world. It aims to give event organisers a deeper understanding of the patterns and trends that drive positive and negative exhibitor experiences and the objectives and behaviours that underlie them. This report has been created in two stages….
With the majority of all U.S. businesses (84%) now using non-cash awards and the majority of top performing businesses (those with the highest revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and employee satisfaction) saying their executives support their non-cash recognition and reward programs as a competitive advantage, the eminent need to understand how to create effective programs becomes…
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With advances in technology and the rise of crowdfunding platforms, the start-up scene is booming. This has seen many events emerge for those that play in the sector, like 4 Years from Now (4YFN), an initiative from the GSM Association which takes place alongside its flagship Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. From Freeman XP…
Puerto Rico has worked hard to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria last year. But its comeback is far from over. In January, the governor submitted a troubling forecast: an eleven percent contraction for the economy and an eight percent population drop for next year. Can business events ensure a brighter future? From PCMA…
National medical associations hold conventions yearly, while international ones are held every two to four years. But educational timeframes have utterly changed in the digital age. So what will happen to the traditional convention model, and its role in medical professional education? Neurosurgery Professor Antonio A.F. De Salles asks whether conventions will become digital. From Boardroom…
The events industry has a significant female workforce, yet only 27 percent of women at CEO or MD level. So there’s some catching up to do. For International Women’s Day, Director of Venues at RIBA Moya Maxwell discusses where we are, where we’re going and what needs to change. From editor’s blog at Meepie.com…
In her Oscar acceptance speech, actress Frances McDormand finished with two words: “inclusion rider”. The notion that an actor can contractually insist a film’s cast and crew meet a certain level of diversity was first floated at a conference. If inclusion riders become standard in Hollywood, might they also for event speakers? From PCMA Convene…
As reported in News, event professionals braved snow and icy conditions to attend the 31st M&IT Awards. From tales of just how difficult the arctic journey was for some, to the backstage excitement no awards should be without, the ceremony turned out to be one of the best ever. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
For years organisers have asked whether virtual or hybrid meetings would negatively impact face to face. The Professional Convention Management Association began live streaming Convening Leaders in 2010, then its summer Education Conference. The video content has now generated $1 million in revenue, and live attendance has continued to grow along with membership. From Successful Meetings…
A partner of The Iceberg, tmf dialogue marketing has also been looking at issues surrounding legacy. From ambassador programmes, to the way Qatar is becoming a knowledge economy to ease dependence on fossil fuels, to the idea of sponsoring speakers to give talks to the destination community, this is what it has found. From tmf dialogue marketing…
Two years ago the Chinese administration began the process of decoupling associations or scientific societies from government sponsorship and control. An astonishing 700,000 associations will now need to establish sustainable business models in order to survive. Oscar Cerezales, Chief Operating Officer of MCI Asia-Pacific, reflects on the differences between this Chinese association market and the…
With the Events Industry Council’s “Economic Significance of Meetings to the US Economy” now out, and after incentive sector specific research from both the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence and the Incentive Research Foundation, how far do such reports correctly quantify the real impact and worth of incentive travel? From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
In October three presentations by US Environmental Protection Agency scientists were pulled from a workshop in Rhode Island. The presenters had contributed to a report citing climate change as a threat. As fewer government scientists attend conferences and with uncertainty over international travel to the US, three experts weigh in. From PCMA Convene…
Bogotá, capital of Colombia, is one of the most dynamic cities in Latin America with 7.6 million inhabitants. Now at a crossroads as the nation leaves behind more than 50 years of internal conflict, attracting international events that have an impact is part of an overall strategy of change. From Boardroom, with the Bogotá Convention Bureau…
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The products incentive recipients receive may change somewhat from one year to the next, depending on the state of the economy, the evolving taste of the public, or even fads. But making sure those awares are from popular brand name manufacturers never changes. In this webcast, you will learn how brand drives trophy value, and…
This online seminar series—created specifically for association employees whose work involves professional development—identifies key issues in speaker management and explores solutions for vetting and cultivating faculty for your learning programs. During this four-part virtual program, you’ll have an opportunity to network with colleagues and gather tips and practical tools that you can implement immediately at the…
Held in conjunction with the Conference of the Association of Latin American Convention Centres, this full day event brings together a range of sessions and participants to ensure the broadest possible perspective on industry conditions and facilitate strategic development in this rapidly developing region within a global context.
The AES covers all aspects of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of meetings and at the same time is a unique opportunity for suppliers to understand client objectives and business cultures, and for association executives to understand how to negotiate with and understand the objectives of suppliers, enabling both sides to establish stronger and more…
Driven by a powerful 10 year history of growing influence, this event is recognized as a critical forum for international sales and marketing executives and the clients, suppliers and industry observers who each year help define key challenges and solutions in a collaborative environment. A “must do” preparation for the rigors and opportunities of IMEX.
This training is full of demonstrations of the latest technological tools to get the most out this day of intensive learning. The technologies addressed are: Digital Content Management; Mobile Apps; The basics of hybrid meetings and the latest innovation; Co-creation; Participant involvement: how to make it really work. Discover practical techniques, formats, processes and tools that you can…
Capturing valuable insights and conversations: Be immersed in engaging live or virtual technologies with MCI proven expertise to be aware of the latest trends. Explore the key topics that affect your business environment through the unique insights of MCI’s industry experts.
Maritz Global Events’ resource library gives industry professionals the latest insights about solving their greatest challenges; experts share their insights on the value of face-to-face meetings and events, the journey to take your event global, and the power of experience design thinking.
Are you convinced that the future of the events industry can only be ensured by qualitatively well-trained event buyers and specialists in event technology? As a training company, do you want to contribute and support 100PRO – the training initiative of the event management? 100PRO is voluntary, free and fair…
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In its second year, the PCMA Education Foundation Visionary Awards delivered on its promise to inspire all who attended the sold out event. More than 1,000 leaders in the business events were in attendance at the premier industry recognition event. From the red carpet to the awards program and the swinging after-party, the evening will be…
Our industry’s landscape is shifting – traditional trade shows have become exhibitions, and in recent years have added conference and digital elements to serve their customers’ expanding and changing needs. In parallel, and driven by a need from digital communities to meet in person face to face, hybrid formats have evolved – part festival, past conference,…
Invaluable business connections, motivating educational sessions, and unforgettable experiences! The event will launch at sea with Norwegian Cruise Line out of New York. This is an exclusive conference for executive-level women in the meetings and incentives industry-by women, for women. Only women will be in attendance, and all participating suppliers and event sponsors must appoint female representatives to participate.
AIPC Members, who are exhibiting at IMEX Frankfurt are invited, to attend the IMEX Association Evening on May 14. This event is organised by IMEX in collaboration with AIPC. To register contact secretariat@aipc.org prior to April 10.
The INCON Digital Infrastructure Award rewards venues that invest in their infrastructure to ensure a flawless digital experience for meeting and conference guests. This year, INCON has opened the award to two categories – Convention Centres and Hotel Convention Venues. Winners will be announced at IMEX Frankfurt in May 2018.
Discover 3,500 worldwide exhibitors, the latest trends and hundreds of meeting professionals under one roof. With the largest global array of exhibitors from every sector in the meetings industry, come to IMEX prepared to do a year’s worth of business in just three days. Choose from 150 seminars, including seminars, workshops, campfires and bite-sized show-floor education. Over 200…
The World Education Congress is MPI’s signature event through which it delivers premier education, business and networking opportunities for meeting and event planners. Every programming decision MPI is making for #WEC18 is toward the goal of revitalizing you and the events you plan. From the keynotes to concurrent sessions; from the networking functions to the…
Global Exhibitions Day is a chance to celebrate the exhibition industry and highlight its positive impact on jobs, business, innovation and local investment. Online, and through an array of national and local events, people on every continent are expected to join the GED18 campaign, from venues and organisers to students, local partners and public authorities.
City Fair is a one day event of pre-scheduled appointments dedicated to the lucrative and growing sector of city tourism organised by ETOA and ECM. City Fair gives European destination suppliers the opportunity to meet selected travel buyers in a productive business environment. One-day B2B event of up to 32 pre-arranged one-to-one meetings. Unique format of targeted business workshop with marketing opportunities
European Cities Marketing will present a toploaded program for the ECM International Conference where Europe’s city marketers and tourism professionals meet industry thought leaders to debate and strategise the new normal in urban travel and tourism.
ibtm america is a 3 day event in North America focused on uniting US and international travel industry suppliers with highly qualified meeting and event planners. The turn-key pod format offers 1-to-1 meetings between suppliers and buyers, with appointments mutually matched to ensure all meetings are highly relevant.
The highlight of the Central European Chapter of ICCA is the Summer Meeting in Wiesbaden, June 20-22. Dozens of industry professionals from about 15 different countries will come together to make new contacts, share ideas, and enjoy their stay in Germany. The central theme of this year’s event is “Industry Challenges: Are you prepared for…
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