Stellenbosch: accessible history and cutting-edge innovation.
In issue 40 of Business Events World we continue our focus on Africa.
As I explained last time, The Iceberg has just been the guest of Stellenbosch 360 for its inspiring second Business Tourism Indaba. In Features I present a full photo gallery of the meeting and my wider visit. This includes wine tasting at the House of J. C. Le Roux (teased last issue!), some Stellenbosch town history, plus a trip to the Innovus LaunchLab at Stellenbosch University, with details on two of its star startups. There’s also a companion piece from Intellectual Capitals on how the Greater Cape Town area is developing as Africa’s Tech capital.
In News (click the right arrow)… the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau has secured nine new events bringing in 9,300 delegates and R336 million. The economic impact of meetings confirmed by the Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef team has doubled to AU$111. A BESarawak Alliance is launching to promote meetings in Malaysia, where the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre staged 638 events in the first six months of 2018. Dubai Business Events wins are up 29 percent over the same period. Edinburgh will be hosting the prestigious 2019 TEDSummit.
Cvent has just released its annual lists of top meetings destinations. It also says event budgets are on the rise. For the first time in ten years, UFI says the exhibition industry’s four global regions are all reporting positive turnover growth. MPI’s latest Meetings Outlook highlights four current industry trends. The Melbourne Convention Bureau has secured a major business award through the legacy impact of the AIDS 2014 conference, and ICC Sydney’s water recycling has now saved the use of over a million plastic bottles.
There’s still more on The Iceberg itself (click View all News). South Africa’s business events sector was in bullish voice at the SAACI congress in Johannesburg. Confusion surrounds the funding of a major convention centre development near Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls. Russia’s St Petersburg has won the 25th running of the World Energy Congress for 2022. As the presidency of the European Council rotates to Austria, Austria Center Vienna will be hosting Council meetings. 2018 sees the Royal College of Physicians in London marking five hundred years of hosting events, and the State Library of Victoria in Australia is opening a dedicated new event space. Conference spending by the United States federal government has dropped, but the US does lead the Eventex All-Stars Top 20 Destinations for hosting Meetings and Events.
In Opinions (again clicking the right arrow) you’ll find the recent AIPC Annual Congress, a tale of two US cities trying to keep the welcome mat out despite that travel ban, why face-to-face is like a group describing an elephant in the dark, the 2018 M&IT Agency Challenge, Convene’s annual Best in Show list, and an UFI view on what we can read into the state of venue development around the world. Plus… how our good friend Alessandro Cortese of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) counts meetings legacy in terms of lives saved.
And in Research (still clicking the right arrow!) you’ll now find Northstar’s The Experiential Difference, UFI’s Global Exhibition Barometer 21st Edition (July 2018), and A Report from the IMEX Policy Forum 2018.
Until the next time…
Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg
Your humble Iceberg curator at the Stellebosch Business Tourism Indaba.
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Stellenbosch 360 has just hosted its second Business Tourism Indaba, at which The Iceberg was invited to attend and speak. As well as gathering meetings industry players from across South Africa and wider, the Indaba shone a spotlight on both the university town’s own sector offering as host, and the approach it takes to fostering…
The Greater Cape Town area has been named the most productive technology sector in Africa by a new report from Endeavor Insight. So its challenge as Africa’s tech capital is attracting and investing in talent. Cape Town International Convention Centre also hosts the world’s largest Africa-focused technology, media and telecoms event, AfricaCom. From Intellectual Capitals…
In the last of three insights on the value of business and professional events, GainingEdge CEO Gary Grimmer and Gregg Talley, President and CEO of the Talley Management Group, delve deeper into the role associations play as gateways to professional and sector development. They specifically tackle the opportunities that exist for associations within Africa’s transition…
Adelaide’s decision to build one of the largest life science hubs in the Southern Hemisphere has begun to pay dividends, with the city now winning a major international biomedical event. The South Australian capital will host the triennial World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering in 2024, bringing in over 2,500 delegates. From Intellectual Capitals…
The rich natural environment of Sapporo has much to offer when it comes to hosting meetings, as it did for the 5th International Wildlife Management Congress of July 2015. Japan’s fifth-largest city boasts academic institutions that lead in the fields of geosciences, organic chemistry, agriculture, forestry, energy, medicine, pharma, animal behavior and veterinary sciences. From Boardroom…
Frankfurt has just enhanced its reputation as a healthcare hub with wins of two big medical events. The European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the European League Against Rheumatism are both to hold congresses in the city. Frankfurt’s joint approach and quality of its scientific representatives helped seal the deals. From Intellectual Capitals…
Liverpool’s ongoing research into and support for improving quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis has helped the city to win a major international medical conference for the first time. More than 3,000 scientific and clinical professionals will converge on ACC Liverpool in June 2019 for the 42nd European Cystic Fibrosis Conference. From Intellectual Capitals…
In the second of three insights on the value of business and professional events, GainingEdge CEO Gary Grimmer and Gregg Talley, President and CEO of the Talley Management Group, analyse the crucial role professional associations and the broader “civil society” play across the whole of scientific and industrial development. Association meetings deliver the platforms and…
Brisbane has just reinforced its reputation as a powerhouse in robotics by welcoming 3,000 delegates from the sector to the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. The six-day event brought an estimated AU$10.5 million into Queensland’s economy and connected together the state’s substantial ecosystem of robotics institutions and academic departments. From Intellectual Capitals…
As politicians and policymakers gather at the IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt, key partners of The Iceberg are providing a timely reminder of the transformational contribution of business and professional events and their ‘beyond tourism’ benefits. GainingEdge CEO Gary Grimmer and Gregg Talley, President and CEO of the Talley Management Group, discuss what meetings actually…
You might not think that the second man to walk on the moon would need a conference name badge. Back in 2015 Buzz Aldrin addressed the 66th International Astronautical Congress in Jerusalem. Hosted by the Israel Space Agency, the event saw over 2,000 participants brought together from 60 countries, and has left a significant legacy. From Boardroom…
With a network of eight major association destinations, the Hauts-de-France region definitely plays alongside the big champions of the meetings industry. It is also now committed to an ambitious and innovative policy: the Third Industrial Revolution, a concept right at the meeting point of energy transition, digital transformation and new economic models. From Boardroom…
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The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, a division of Wesgro, secured nine new event bids during April to June 2018, bringing in an estimated economic impact of R336 million and an estimated attendance of 9,300 delegates. A highlight for the quarter was securing the Asian Racing Conference for January 2020. From the Event…
52 percent of global event planners have seen budgets increase year on year, after 32 percent in 2017. That’s according to the latest Cvent Global Planner Sourcing Report. The study also found a big increase in planners organising six to ten offsite meetings, and a major drop in planners arranging just one or two. From Meetpie.com…
The Melbourne Convention Bureau has secured the 2018 Australian Business Award for the contribution it has made to Victoria. Using the 20th International AIDS Conference as an example, MCB highlighted how the event provided a platform for stakeholders in the field, and also left a legacy of policy and legislative change and increased awareness. From CIM News Magazine…
Key industry trends have just emerged from Meeting Professionals International’s Meetings Outlook 2018 Summer Edition. The report highlights today’s seller’s market, that contracts and negotiations are getting ever more complex, a growing demand for experiential components, and a shift of seeing virtual meetings as a tool to enhance not replace live events. From Meetings & Conventions…
Dubai Business Events has reported strong results for the first half of 2018, with 125 successful bids to host business events. The wins reflect a 29 percent increase over the same period last year. The conferences, meetings and incentive programmes secured are poised to attract over 65,000 delegates from around the world. From CIM News Magazine…
The economic impact of meetings confirmed by the Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef team for the 2017-18 financial year has more than doubled to AU$111 million. Tourism Tropical North Queensland says securing the massive Amway China Leadership Seminar incentive helped boost the value of these wins. Photo: Leonard Low. From CIM News Magazine…
Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is continuing to win major international bids. The venue staged 638 events in the first six months of 2018, with over 1.2 million visitors and delegates attending. This is up 90 events (17 percent) and 530,000 delegates and visitors (79 percent) from the same period last year. From CIM News Magazine…
Cvent has just released its annual lists of top meetings destinations. New this year are top destinations in Canada (Toronto leads), as well as in the Caribbean and Latin America (Cancún). In the US Orlando leads, in Europe London, in the Middle East and Africa Dubai, and in Asia Pacific Singapore. From Meetings & Conventions…
Sarawak in Malaysia is to launch a business events platform to further its economic transformation. Initiated by the Sarawak Convention Bureau, the new BESarawak Alliance aims to create collaborative opportunities between government ministries and agencies through business events. The organisation will launch at Business Events TriBE 2018. From CIM News Magazine…
Scotland has fought off stiff competition to play host to the 2019 TEDSummit and up to 1,300 members of TED’s global community. This high profile event will take place in July at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, and EICC’s winning bid was supported by many of the city and wider country’s stakeholder institutions. From Meetpie.com…
For the first time in ten years, the exhibition industry’s four global regions have reported positive turnover growth simultaneously. That’s according to the industry global association UFI’s latest Global Barometer report. More than 40 percent of companies globally declared an increase of more than ten percent compared to 2016. From CIM News Magazine…
ICC Sydney has announced that more than one million plastic water bottles have been saved from use via its partnership with Sydney Water. The venue promotes drinking Sydney tap water at events with co-branded, reusable glass bottles in all meeting rooms. This has already reduced plastic use by 12,900 kilograms. From CIM News Magazine…
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The EuroHeartCare conference is one of the most important platforms for driving research publications, exchanging ideas, and forming and deepening collaborations within the field of cardiovascular nursing in Europe. It aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering the best care possible to patients with cardiovascular disease. The 2017 edition was hosted by Jönköping University in…
The study explores the benefits and barriers for individual researchers and universities when hosting research conferences. The study has been commissioned by the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy – an advisory body to the Danish Minister of Higher Education and Science. Thereby the study situates the hosting of research conferences as a potential…
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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The 2018 IMEX Policy Forum (formerly Politicians Forum) featured significant changes in format in an ongoing bid to optimise interactions between government representatives and industry leaders and to make outcomes clearer and more actionable. The 2018 Policy Forum programme included four key parts: An advance discussion group of national level government representatives addressing policy issues…
This study is based on a global survey, concluded in July 2018. It represents up to date information on the development and the outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 18 specific ccountries and zones. Global Exhibition Barometer 21st Edition (July 2018)
Not too long ago, even people in the hotel industry referred to the meeting rooms in their hotels as boxes. But all of that has changed, and in a big hurry too. Today the expectations of meetings and the venues that host them are much higher. Planners are finding that venues which engage the senses…
It is impossible to develop successful, sustainable long-term strategy without understanding the future in which your members will live and work. Whether through strategic planning or value proposition design, Association Laboratory’s research confirms that associations must develop strategy based on the anticipated future of their industry or profession if they want to be successful. Now in its…
If there’s one canon that can be considered unassailable in the meetings and events industry it is this: No two meetings are alike. There is no one size that can fit all, even two, engagements. Every project requires its own plans and those plans, budget in hand, often start with choosing the location. Destinations and…
When city convention bureau leaders at ICCA’s Scandinavian Chapter set up the first Scandinavian Destination Sustainability Index – the precursor to the Global Destination Sustainability Index – they had two primary objectives: to drive sustainability across the region through competition, collaboration and raised consciousness, and to differentiate the Nordic region to non-European markets as the most sustainable…
The ICCA Statistics Reports are based on the ICCA Association Database, which means the figures cover meetings organised by international associations according to this criteria: a meeting must take place on a regular basis, host at least 50 participants, and rotate between a minimum of three countries to be included in the Database. ICCA’s Association…
For the third year in a row, IACC is pleased to present a ground-breaking report that combines research and insights into the top issues facing the global meetings and conference industry. The 2018 IACC Meeting Room of the Future™ report brings together insights from over 50 venues across four continents, as well as suppliers including global meeting…
When an academic participates in a large conference, her or his likelihood of subsequently writing a paper with at least one participant at the conference increases by one-sixth (close to 18%). Moreover, it seems that conferences improve the quality of matching among co-authors, leading to papers that are published in higher-ranked journals. These findings are…
The days of isolating a convention centre on the edge of downtown are over. Today, cities are developing vibrant, walkable neighborhoods around their convention centres that are integrating the facilities more deeply into the culture of their communities. Learn how the redevelopment of convention centre districts are changing meetings and how planners, as well as…
For almost 30 years, GLOBALSTRAT has been collecting independent data on how international associations are approaching global membership, programs and engagement. This valuable information and insights are used to help associations to make better informed decisions when developing their international strategies and business plans. According to the United Nations, the world population is expected to…
Most leaders expect their investments in incentive, reward and recognition (IRR) programs to drive more sales, increase revenue, result in a larger share of the market, or produce some other return on investment. Leaders may also seek measurable improvements in production costs, product quality, reduced accidents and down-time, lower attrition and absenteeism, and increased engagement,…
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UFI’s debut Latin American event in September is a chance to examine venue development both in the region and elsewhere. Venues tend to happen only after public sector buy-in, so it follows their development indicates governmental commitment to the virtues of a burgeoning exhibition industry. From UFI…
Iceberg partner Convene presents its annual Best in Show list, which again awards top venues and innovations and celebrates industry excellence. Winners include the most original off-site venue, the Old Melbourne Gaol, and the best corporate social responsibility initiative, an Internet safety for kids programme. From PCMA Convene…
Over 120 agencies and suppliers recently attended the 2018 M&IT Agency Challenge at Celtic Manor resort in Newport, Wales. From new faces to old friends, and even to having a good singsong around a piano, it’s always to be celebrated when so many eventprofs are together under one roof. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Why do we meet face-to-face when we also have email and video? Because it is the fastest way to gain shared perspective. That’s according to meetings author J. Elise Keith. So why is shared perspective rather like that old folk tale of people trying to describe an elephant by touch in the dark? From PCMA…
The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology is a non-profit and scientific organisation that promotes using radiation oncology to improve patient care in the treatment of cancer. There are more than 7,300 ESTRO members, which makes the group’s annual congress an opportunity to effect major change. CEO Alessandro Cortese explains. From PCMA…
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. When the US Supreme Court recently upheld Trump Travel Ban III, Vancouver quickly tweeted out a welcome mat. But here’s a tale of two cities, New York and San Francisco, that insist the US is still open for business. From PCMA Convene…
Iceberg partner AIPC, the international association of congress centres, represents more than 185 venues in 60 countries. The AIPC Annual Congress fosters excellence in every aspect of centre management, and the 2018 event at ExCeL London saw about 250 delegates tackling the theme of “Strategies for a Changing World!”. From Boardroom…
The past month has revealed the turmoil the United Kingdom is in over the manner of its departure from the European Union. But might the UK exhibition sector provide some palliative relief from Brexit uncertainties? The sector’s global association takes a look at VisitBritain, along with the recent Farnborough International Airshow, for answers. From UFI…
Planning meetings isn’t easy. So meetings about meetings remain popular and the search for new ways to improve the delegate experiences is never-ending. Meeting design has come a long way, but despite the innovative approaches available it pays to remember that content will always be king. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
The inaugural edition of Energy Disruptors Unite in Calgary, Canada, joined together oil and gas leaders with the brightest minds of the renewable energy industry. With a diverse speaker lineup that included Sir Richard Branson, initial success indicates the event could become a driving force in solving the world’s big energy issues. From PCMA…
The European Thrombosis and Haemostasis Alliance was officially launched at the end of 2017. It’s a telling example of how international associations can expand their European and even global footprint by being more present formally in an association hub like Brussels. Thomas Reiser, Executive Director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, explains. From Boardroom…
What an extraordinary year 2018 has been so far in the exhibitions sector: from the merger of Informa and UBM and other players, to one Chinese organiser’s international ambitions, to changes to the trade show’s traditional format like the new CEBIT with its ferris wheel feature (pictured). From UFI Managing Director Kai Hattendorf via LinkedIn…
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Associations are facing an increasingly competitive continuing education market, and member-learner attitudes about what they want, when they want it, and how much they are willing to pay for it are shifting. Which next steps will yield the greatest impact? During this virtual program, you’ll have an opportunity to network with colleagues and gather tips and…
The session will attract internationally renowned speakers and global meetings industry experts, who will discuss global trends, the importance of destination teamwork and industry collaboration, and the competitiveness of Qatar meetings industry. Speakers will also share strategies on bidding for international meetings and conferences in what has become an increasingly competitive world, as well as…
Plan Your Meeting Live (PYM LIVE) is a cutting-edge, relevant and engaging event developed specifically for the non-traditional meeting professional – the person whose job responsibilities include so much more than planning meetings or events. PYM LIVE is a great way to hone your planning skills and connect with people who can help increase your chances…
This exclusive and unique networking and education experience is designed for experienced association executives, corporate business event leaders and event industry business professionals. If you’re ready to shed outmoded strategies and thrive in this chaotic digital age – register now and become your organisation’s leading change agent.
Our broad approach will include presentations and discussions on latest product developments, successful partnerships, innovating marketing strategies and much more. This event is open to ECM members only, specifically to tourism professionals working on city cards schemes (Product Managers, Project Leaders, Marketing Managers…) who are looking to improve – but also share – their knowledge with other…
ITSS aims to provide an innovative, practical and holistic view on destination marketing and image management in an era of security instability. The summit will focus on marketing preparedness for crisis, crisis communication, strategies for image restoration, resilience marketing, and reputation management in turbulent times. The summit is a meeting place for any travel and tourism…
For more than 30 years, Destinations International’s Membership Summit has supported the evolving role and the impact of the membership professional. This community of partners, inclusive of both membership and partnership roles, targets discussions about changing trends in the destination marketplace, redefining membership and partnership responsibilities to maximize impact, recalibrating the sponsorship value proposition and more.
Our TIC Expert Meeting offers a mix of incentive and exchange opportunities for all attendees. This is why the diversity of participants is of great importance to us. This event is for managers and TIC front office professionals coming from small and large cities and working for either public or private tourist information organisations –…
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.
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The Workshop is organized by the ICCA Asia Pacific Regional Office annually, specifically catered to members in the Asia Pacific region. Client/Supplier Business Workshop is an intensive and focused two-day networking event between ICCA members (suppliers) and international association clients, offering the opportunity for both to meet face-to-face and discuss future co-operation in a tailor-made…
Connect with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs, and venues from across the Southeast in pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and unique experiential networking events, while enjoying a fully hosted, three-night stay at PGA National. Invaluable business connections, targeted education, and unforgettable experiences—all while experiencing Florida’s Golf Capital and the Signature City of Palm Beach Gardens.
ibtm latin america, now ibtm AMERICAS, is the event for event organizers, the meeting point for the America Latina’s leaders and bridge with the major community of global business. When the business connects at ibtm latin america, great things happens. Connections mean everything.
World Meetings Forum is a dedicated space open for discussion and analysis of global trends, statics and the path for the Global MICE Industry including business exchange and networking moments. WMF puts all the effort to bring events that helps our industry to educate on all levels.
The Leaders’ Forum is a platform for industry thought leaders from the PCMA ICESAP Corporate, Agency and Partner membership base to gather and discuss key pressing issues within their segment through a moderated framework. This concludes with a joint session to present findings and agreement on an implementation plan or further investigation steps.
Connect in the Caribbean. A world-class networking event like no other, where planners and supplier attendees join to meet with regional suppliers as they showcase what they can offer this active, RFP-ready audience.
ibtm china is where meetings, events and incentives industry decision makers meet to do business. We unite global suppliers with highly qualified Chinese and international events and meeting planners for two inspirational days of business, networking and education. We look forward to welcoming you at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) in Beijing from 12-13 September 2018.
This conference aims to be the most international gathering of industry leaders, attended by colleagues from across Latin America including Brazil, North America and beyond. This will be a one day event following a golf-tournament and evening reception on Tuesday 18th September, and will provide industry updates and insights from across the region, as well as…
Discover the wonders of Mexico. Connect with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs, and venues from across Mexico in pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and unique experiential networking events, while enjoying a fully hosted, three-night stay at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa. Invaluable business connections, targeted education, and unforgettable experiences—all while experiencing the natural beauty and magic…
The Visitor Services Summit offers professionals vested in the planning, development, and management of visitor experiences within their destinations an opportunity to: Exchange ideas and solutions; Learn new practices, opportunities, and resources; Network and connect.
ICCA venues invite a client to the Workshop to discuss their specific meeting requirements. No other event offers the same opportunity for client and supplier to meet face-to-face and discuss future co-operation in a tailor-made Workshop environment.
If you influence or manage international or domestic meetings and events, then IMEX America is where you belong. Whether you’re a corporate, association or agency planner you’ll discover fabulous business, education and networking opportunities. This truly is the power source for the meetings industry. Productive appointments. Face time with key players. The knowledge to boost your…
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