EXCO Daegu: a symbiotic host.
The Iceberg likes to think of the relationship between business events and hosting destinations as symbiotic. It’s supposed be mutually beneficial, or what any number of interviewees over the years have sold to me as a “win-win”.
We really don’t want this interaction to be parasitic: the one-sided leeching of resources away from the host, without that host getting anything in return for its hospitality!
So how fascinating it is to read about the genuine symbiosis that has seen 2,000 experts from 100 countries swarming to Daegu in South Korea for… ICOPA 2018: the 14th International Congress of Parasitology.
In Features (click the right arrow or swipe to spin the carousel)… how Daegu came to host that very meeting. You’ll also find Edinburgh winning the World One Health Congress for 2020, and another health and technology conference called MANOVA coming to Minneapolis in Minnesota’s “Medical Alley”. Plus, if you didn’t see it last time, my photo gallery from Stellenbosch’s 2018 Business Tourism Indaba is still available for your viewing pleasure.
In News (click the right arrow)… the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville has reopened following expansion. Ground has been broken on enlarging Seattle’s Washington State CC, and the Tampa CC will be getting $20m of upgrades as well. But San Diego CC improvements will have to wait: the SD City Council has voted against putting a hotel tax on the ballot to fund them.
In Australia the regional events industry is collaborating on sustainability. Talk2 Media & Events is partnering with PCMA and ICCA for the revamped AIME in Melbourne. The Club Melbourne Ambassador Program has celebrated its 13th anniversary. But Sydney’s conference numbers are beating both Melbourne and Brisbane. Sydney also just won a 2020 semiconductor conference.
The report from this year’s IMEX Policy Forum says the meetings industry is “too bound up in tourism”. Other research says that exhibition attendance is set to grow, and that trade show exhibition space sales are up.
There’s still more on The Iceberg itself (click View all News)… the PCMA-ICESAP Knowledge Exchange Kuala Lumpur, The Business of Events gearing back up in the UK, and Korea now having fourteen ambassadors to bring in international meetings.
In Opinions (again clicking the right arrow)… Convene follows up its Best in Show list with views on industry improvement. IMEX America 2018 presents its sustainability credentials. An obesity conference in Newcastle is creating legacy with some public engagement. The Mexican exhibition sector is profiled by José Navarro, and changing association governance by Ben Hainsworth. Vancouver CC’s Claire Smith answers three questions. Three industry challenges from WTTC’s Gloria Guevara Manzo in the IMEX Policy Forum report are discussed. Vienna is now the world’s most “liveable” city, but does that attract conference delegates? And there are six good reasons why face-to-face continues to offer value.
And in Research (still clicking the right arrow!) you’ll now find UFI’s The Trade Fair Industry in Asia – 14th Edition (July 2018), PCMA and Destination Cleveland’s Making a Healthy Case: Six Ways Medical Meetings Are Proving Their Value to Exhibitors, and CEIR’s Attendee ROI Playbook Series sponsored by PCMA and IAEE.
Until our next symbiosis…
Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg
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South Korea’s strength in the field means Daegu is now hosting 2,000 experts from 100 countries for the 14th International Congress of Parasitology. The World Federation for Parasitologists chose Korea as host due to sector engagement in prior meetings. There’s an active organising committee for the event made up of local researchers. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
Healthcare is changing rapidly, but its conferences have mostly stayed the same. The former General Mills Chief Marketing Officer, now 2023 Partners Chief Executive, Mark Addicks is working to change that. He’s about to stage MANOVA, a four-day health and technology summit in Minneapolis, part of Minnesota’s “Medical Alley”. From PCMA…
Edinburgh’s position as a leading hub for medical and healthcare expertise has been reinforced by the city winning hosting rights for the 6th World One Health Congress in 2020. More than 2,000 global medical or veterinary professionals, opinion leaders and policy makers will attend the four-day event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. From Intellectual Capitals…
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…
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Trade show exhibition space sales are on the upswing, according to a study. Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of organisers said exhibit space sales grew for their most recent event, according to the 2018 Benchmarks & Trends in Exhibit and Sponsorship Sales. The figure is a four-year high. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Exhibition & Event Association for Australasia has launched a major new initiative to tackle sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of the events sector. An Environmental Sustainability Working Group has been formed which draws representatives from all sectors of the industry together to foster collaborative action. From CIM News Magazine…
Over the coming three years the Tampa Convention Center will roll out major upgrades, including new and renovated meeting spaces, as part of a $20 million investment. In 2020, 18 new meeting rooms totalling 16,000 square feet will open overlooking the Hillsborough River. Then in 2021, the existing meeting rooms will be renovated. From Successful Meetings…
Attendance at trade shows has been rising for a decade, and will grow for the foreseeable future. That’s according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research. The fourth instalment of its “Attendee ROI Playbook” shows 54 percent of attendees plan to maintain their attendance level, and 26 percent to attend more often. From Successful Meetings…
Talk2 Media & Events, which is relaunching the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), has announced partnerships with the Professional Convention Management Association and the International Congress and Convention Association. Both PCMA and ICCA will be involved in framing and delivering the AIME Knowledge Program which opens the three-day event. From CIM News Magazine…
Ground has been broken on an expansion to Seattle’s Washington State Convention Center. The existing building will now be called “Arch”, and the new part opening in 2022 “Summit”. In five years, Visit Seattle says, more than 350 events were declined because of space or timing restrictions, losing more than $2.13 billion. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Club Melbourne Ambassador Program has celebrated its 13th anniversary with an annual dinner that saw the induction of five new Ambassadors and the awarding of a joint Fellowship. Since its inception in 2005, Club Melbourne has won 131 international conferences that have delivered economic impact worth more than AU$840 million. From CIM News Magazine…
The meeting industry is “too bound up in tourism” and has an absence of influence. This is one conclusion of the report from this year’s IMEX Policy Forum, which is now out (see Research). The Frankfurt event brought together over 30 politicians and policy makers from around the world with 80 industry leaders. From Meetpie.com…
The San Diego City Council has voted against adding a hotel tax measure to the November ballot that would have funded expansion of the city’s convention centre. Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, the San Diego Convention Center President and CEO, said “Today’s outcome is not a ‘No’, it’s just ‘Not Now’. From Meetings & Conventions…
To add to Sydney’s conference business, Australian of the Year Scientia Professor Michelle Simmons (far left), and Scientia Professor Sven Rogge (far right), have led a successful bid for the International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in August 2020. Australia’s expertise in the field helped secure the meeting. From CIM News Magazine…
Of the 1479 meetings tracked by Conference Monitor from July 2017 to June 2018, 433 were held in New South Wales, an increase of around 22 percent. A big part of NSW’s lead is the new ICC Sydney, which has now welcomed two million visitors and contributed AU$1.2 billion to the economy. From CIM News Magazine…
The Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville has reopened following its two-year, $207 million expansion. According to Louisville Tourism, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, 84 meeting groups have been booked since the project was announced. The new business will bring the city $246 million in estimated economic impact. From Meetings & Conventions…
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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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A random sampling of B2B exhibition organizers from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Census was pulled to generate an attendee sample for this project. A total of 21 exhibition organisers in the United States and Canada agreed to participate, with a minimum of one event per sector, with the exception of Sporting Goods, Travel…
Sponsored by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Destination Cleveland, “Making a Healthy Case: Six Ways Medical Meetings Are Proving Their Value to Exhibitors” is a new white paper that tackles one of medical associations’ chief challenges head on: the increased pressure to show a positive return on their exhibitors’ investment. Making a Healthy Case: Six…
The latest UFI / Business Strategies Group report on the trade fair industry in Asia has now been published complete with updated statistical information from 2017. Leaflet here… The Trade Fair Industry in Asia – 14th Edition (July 2018) – Leaflet Order form here… The Trade Fair Industry in Asia – 14th Edition (July 2018) –…
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…
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Changes in technology, and in its availability and cost, have greatly expanded possibilities for hosting events. So the debate between the advantages of traditional face-to-face meetings, against those of videoconferencing or livestreaming events, rages on. Here are six reasons why face-to-face still offers value for both delegates and organisers. From Maritz Global Events…
Vienna is the world’s most “liveable” city. That’s according to the annual Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index. It’s also the first city in Europe to top the survey: Melbourne had lead for seven years previously. But what is the link between “liveability” and actually attracting conference delegates? From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
A recent report from the IMEX Policy Forum 2018 (see Research) outlines three areas of concern raised during the event by Gloria Guevara Manzo, the World Tourism and Travel Council President and CEO (pictured at IMEX with Group Chairman Ray Bloom). Her three concerns were: security and safety, crisis preparation and sustainability. From PCMA Convene…
Claire Smith is Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Vancouver Convention Centre, and also Chair of PCMA. Here she answers three questions: about how working with associations has changed for her over the years, about the kind of meetings her venue targets, and about the future of the association sector itself. From Boardroom…
Association governance has changed dramatically in recent years and a key focus is on business sustainability, both financial and reputational. The latter is often part of any conversation about legacy. Ben Hainsworth has worked in the past for a large European medical society. Today he is Executive Director of Berlin-based PCO K.I.T. Group. From PCMA…
The Mexican exhibition sector has certainly attracted major global players. But it’s still mostly smaller organisers or societies hosting regional or local events. UFI, the exhibition industry’s global association, has been talking to José Navarro, Chairman of its Latin American Chapter and General Director of E.J. Krause Tarsus de México. From UFI…
The 5th UK Congress on Obesity is taking place early in September at Newcastle University. The local organising committee was keen to leave a lasting legacy in the North East. So the Association for the Study of Obesity is also hosting a public event before the main conference begins. Photo: Sarah Cossom. From Boardroom…
IMEX America has always been run with sustainability in mind. This time around, sustainability education will feature throughout, attendees are urged to bring a reusable water bottle to the show, and IMEX America will also continue to beat the drum about the positive impact of giving back to destination communities. From the Event…
Opinions has already published Convene’s annual Best in Show list, celebrating industry excellence. But Convene also invited notables from across the sector to reflect on how the business of events is getting better. Nineteen contributed, among them Gregg Talley of the Talley Management Group and SoolNua and SITE’s Pádraic Gilligan. From PCMA Convene…
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…
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This 6-hour, intensive course will take a deep dive into incident management strategies as needed for the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from all-hazard emergency incidents. Learners will be introduced to techniques to prevent and respond to extraordinary crimes, violence, terrorist attacks, natural disasters and ordinary incidents such as fights, or drunkenness to ensure the…
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 –…
The Finance, Operations & Technology Summit is both a disciplined-focused and cross-functional gathering of senior leadership in finance, administration, operations and technology. As operations knows no bounds, integrating cross-functional disciplines, while also targeting the three disciplines, helps to advance operational performance at organizations. Attending all three days is highly recommended for professionals to make the most of…
The Women Executives Forum explores the challenges and opportunities facing women leaders—those executives in and aspiring to the c-suite—and how men and women can take action to support gender equality. The series of workshops features notable speakers from the association, nonprofit, and public sectors. Each edition of the Women Executives Forum features a thought-provoking keynote…
The FYP brings together 35 young industry professionals from a diverse array of backgrounds. Over 3 days, the selected applicants are given networking opportunities, educational sessions, social activities and guidance worth their weights in gold from some of the most influential meetings industry figures. Participants will complete the FYP with a wealth of knowledge, a…
This is the one event anyone with a role or a stake in this critical area of centre management can’t miss out on. It is a rare opportunity for centre staff responsible for key operations functions to share issues and solutions on a global basis while also looking at how essential interactions amongst centre managers…
Access our free library of industry-leading templates and checklists to guide you through every stage of your international conference planning. Read the latest industry trends, opinion pieces and best-practice guides to shaping international events, straight from some of the world’s foremost experts. Read the latest industry trends, opinion pieces and best-practice guides to shaping international events,…
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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…
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.
Discover Colombia the land of sabrosura, at the 3rd annual Global Incentive Summit – the event for incentive buyers in North and Latin America, featuring pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments, unique experiential networking events, and a fully hosted, three-night stay in Hotel Las Americas Cartagena de Indias. Invaluable business connections, motivating educational sessions, and unforgettable experiences—all within the heritage and…
UFI’s Annual Global Congress is known as the exhibition industry’s largest global meeting of the year, combining international networking with unique content. It is an ideal opportunity for members to gain insight into topics of strategic interest, on the current industry trends and challenges that the exhibition industry is currently facing. Open to UFI members only,…
Connect with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs, and venues from across Arizona in pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments and unique experiential networking events, while enjoying a fully hosted, two-night stay at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ, from November 4-6, 2018.
PCMA ICESAP will be hosting the 2018 Annual Conference at Bangkok, Thailand. Affectionately known as the “city of angels” famed for its hospitality, explore the city’s tradition and modernity of as one moves through the Bangkok’s futuristic skyscrapers as well as its alleyways filled with rich cultural heritage.
Cutting-edge, true to its rich heritage yet looking towards the future, Dubai is on the move and we’re bringing you along for the ride! Merging a world-class, custom-designed education programme, knowledge and business exchange, networking opportunities with senior meetings industry professionals and association executives from across the globe and all industry sectors, and the sights…
Conclave is the industry’s only exclusive meeting of CMPs. The Conclave is a unique event for CMPs who wish to contribute to their profession, while advancing their own knowledge and skills, and expanding their professional network. Join your fellow CMPs to gain insight on unique perspectives and experiences throughout the industry to gather CE and network.
The leading global event for the meetings, events and incentives industry, ibtm world delivers three inspirational days of business, networking and education to a community of international suppliers and buyers, helping drive their business into the future. Join over 15,500 industry professionals and enter a world of business opportunities.
Building on the huge success and 100% satisfaction rates of the Global Forum in Dubai & Tokyo, BestCities is delighted to announce Bogotá as the host partner for this year’s event from 9-12 December 2018. Open to senior international association executives (or AMC on behalf of the associations), the Global Forum is the ideal opportunity for decision-makers considering hosting…
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