The value of information presented at one event was €813 million, says report.
In issue 45 of Business Events World and on The Iceberg, an amazing statistic takes centre stage.
This is the valuation of knowledge imparted at a single congress at €813 million, or “close to €1 billion”. In Features you can see an Iceberg video about the event in question: this year’s European Congress of Radiology in Vienna. Also new in Features (click the right arrow or swipe to spin the carousels), “fibre, hydreos and materalia” in Nancy, Dublin’s winning of an immunology congress, and Jerusalem on – of all things – the science of cannabis.
There are three great additions to Research this issue. Event MB & IMEX Group have a remarkable study called The Power of Events. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) celebrates its 55th with A Modern History of International Association Meetings – Update: 1963-2017. Euro Fair Statistics 2017 from the exhibition industry’s global association UFI compiles figures on 2,709 events.
News includes a report on ICCA’s new history of association meetings, plus its awarding – with fellow Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance – of the second round of “Incredible Impacts” grants for meetings legacy projects. Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has opened the second round of his Convention Trailblazer Grant. The Professional Convention Management Association has announced its 2019 class of “20 in their Twenties” future industry stars.
The sector is booming in regional UK destinations. Dundee wants to “open its doors to the world” with meetings. Wales Business Events has held an industry conference near where ICC Wales is under construction. And Newcastle has had a record September of 52 meetings.
Also in News this issue… partnership deals aplenty. Meet in Reykjavik has signed another three universities to promote the Icelandic sector. The Swiss regions of Lausanne and Montreux have joined forces to pursue larger associations. Malaysia’s MITEC and China’s GICEC have signed a centre-to-centre partnership. In events, the World Congress of Audiology is taking place in Cape Town, and Tourism Australia’s iconic incentive showcase Dreamtime is coming to Perth for the first time in 2019.
There’s still more on The Iceberg itself (click View all News). Politicians in the UK have had personal details exposed by a buggy party conference app. There’s a new convention centre being built in Australia’s Sunshine Coast. There’s also one more partnership deal: the Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau signing with ICCA to improve its beleaguered destination ranking.
Finally, in Opinions you’ll find an editorial on our lead statistic. There’s also Curt Watkins on destinations, David Peckinpaugh on experience design (and on video), and Pádraic Gilligan mixing metaphors about whether business events are “tourism” or “economic development”. Plus: how convention centres in the US and Canada are combatting homelessness, views on industry environmental impact, on multi-hub events, and how Walmart sponsored a flu-shot station at a healthcare meeting. Finally… a Cvent CONNECT Europe discussion about industry gender equality, how a university conference with an all-male panel was immediately postponed when a famous alumna tweeted her displeasure, and the irony of the UK’s ruling Conservative Party debating Brexit in an EU funded venue.
Until the next time, with an even more incredible statistic…
Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg
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The monetary value of information presented at this year’s European Congress of Radiology in Vienna, amounted to €813m, according to a groundbreaking report. The total was arrived at by adding up the professional time spent compiling, and the research funding associated with, the content of the 3,331 papers presented. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
Nancy, the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine in northeast France, is now synonymous with creativity and brainpower. The presence of large national research institutions, together with four high-yield industries and three internationally recognised competitive clusters, have been drawing conferences and meetings of all sizes and formats. From Boardroom…
The Convention Centre Dublin will host the 7th European Congress of Immunology in 2024. The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from 80 countries, and bring just shy of €5 million into the local economy. It was the Irish Society for Immunology’s third attempt at bidding for the meeting. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
Building on a strong backbone of 17 academic institutions, Jerusalem has emerged as a hub for life science and biomedical companies. The holy city is today making groundbreaking achievements which attract the attention of associations around the globe, not least of which is playing a leading role across global research into cannabis. From Boardroom…
New York has continued its commitment to becoming “the capital city of a responsible world” by hosting the 10th annual Climate Week NYC. More than 140 climate-focused meetings were part of the event, run by international non-profit The Climate Group, with some 10,000 people expected to attend from over 40 countries. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
The recent ITU Telecom World 2018 in Durban has bolstered South Africa’s initiatives in information and communications technology and tech-driven small and medium-sized enterprise development. The event, hosted by the Department of Telecommunications and Post of the Republic of South Africa, took place at Durban International Convention Centre. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
In 2016 the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, together with the US Environmental Protection Agency and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, hosted the largest-ever meeting solely focused on stopping 40 percent of US food going to waste. A two-year legacy of action followed, leading up to a second event. From PCMA Convene…
Maastricht has emerged as a new bio-hub, with the Netherlands city hosting three major conferences for the sector. MECC Maastricht recently welcomed the annual European Conference on Biomaterials. The European Congress on Biotechnology follows in 2020, then the Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics in 2021. Photo: Jorge Franganillo. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
At the recent General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union in Vienna, it was announced that Cape Town in South Africa will host the 2024 event. With huge projects including the MeerKAT, Square Kilometre Array, and Southern African Large Telescopes, the continent is now a knowledge hub for cutting-edge multi-wavelength astronomy. From the Event…
Over four days in 2015, more than 4,100 participants from 114 nations attended the 17th Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. Hosted by the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre and the SPA (Singapore Physiotherapy Association), the event left a significant legacy for the profession both in Singapore and across the world. From Boardroom…
Scotland’s financial services sector is now growing as fast as London’s. So the country is focusing on its fintech future with a major series of business events. Fintech Scotland Fortnight 2018 comprises eighteen conferences and meetings across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling. It aims to reinforce Scotland’s position in the sector. Photo: Carlos Delgado. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
Last year Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Vancouver Convention Centre will be hosting the next Women Deliver Conference in June 2019. Held every three years, the last event was in Copenhagen in 2016, attracting 6,000 delegates. This time Women Deliver also wanted a host city matching its dedication to gender equality. From PCMA Convene…
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International association meetings continue to show “robust growth”, according to a new history of the sector. The International Congress and Convention Association report “A Modern History of International Association Meetings – Update: 1963-2017” was released to mark ICCA’s 55th anniversary. From Association Meetings International…
The Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre and China’s Guangdong Tanzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center have together signed an exclusive collaborative partnership expected to increase cooperation and foster greater bilateral ties between the two trading nations. The centre-to-centre partnership is thought to be the first between the countries. From CIM News Magazine…
The Swiss regions Lausanne and Montreux have joined forces to cater for the larger association market. Lausanne Montreux Congress will not be limited to marketing, but also organise conferences, with the aim of increasing both destination’s influx of larger events. There will continue to be two offices, and also an LMC team. From Association Meetings International…
The World Congress of Audiology is about to take place for the first time in Africa, attended by 800 delegates from the UK, Europe, USA and also Australia. The three-day event at CTICC is expected to make an economic impact of R15.3 million. Cape Town leads Africa in medical meetings, followed by Cairo and Kigali. From Meetpie.com…
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has invited early career professionals and researchers to help Brisbane attract international conventions and conferences. He was opening the second round of the Convention Trailblazer Grant, which funds its recipients to attend major events in their field and try to win future editions for Brisbane. Photo: Kgbo. From CIM News Magazine…
Three more of the $7,500 “Incredible Impacts” awards have been made by the International Congress and Convention Association, together with BestCities Global Alliance, to meetings that have made a lasting mark outside their own walls. Down Syndrome International, the Society for Ecological Restoration, and the Union for International Cancer Control are the three associations recognised. From PCMA Convene…
A record 52 events brought more than 3,500 delegates to the UK’s North East last month and led to an economic impact of more than £4.3 million. Over 1,500 attended major medical meetings. Where delegates booked accommodation through NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, half were international and from 43 different countries. From Meetpie.com…
Wales Business Events has held its first The Business of Events Wales conference in Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, where the new ICC Wales (pictured) is under construction. The idea was to motivate the region’s industry to grow to an international scale. Prominent UK advocates were on hand to deliver the message. From Association Meetings International…
Wondering who the business events leaders of the future are? The Professional Convention Management Association has announced its “20 in their Twenties” class of 2019, the sector’s brightest young talent. Although the list is dominated by North Americans, professionals from Italy, Bulgaria and the UK are also in the group. From Association Meetings International…
Tourism Australia’s key event for promoting Australia as a world-class destination for the incentive sector, Dreamtime, will be held in Perth for the first time in 2019. The city’s Convention Bureau Chairman Kevin Skipworth said CVB members would benefit enormously from hosting the event and promoting the city to meetings groups. From CIM News Magazine…
Iceland’s academic events and conferences are further ramping up. Meet in Reykjavik has signed another three universities to help develop the Scandinavian country as a key player in the sector. Bifröst University, Hólar University College and the Agricultural University of Iceland join three signed earlier this year. From Meetpie.com…
City leaders in Dundee want to “open its doors to the world” with business events. Scotland’s fourth largest city has won six “major” conferences for 2019 through its Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau Conference Ambassadors. The events are worth £1.6 million and will attract some 1,250 delegates to the city. From Association Meetings International…
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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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Events that create a long-lasting legacy share a common element: putting change first. This research report is our effort to encourage all event planners (where possible) to ask different questions and to seek different results. Planning an event is often a matter of priorities. What results do we want? What is the purpose of the event…
The International Congress and Convention Association’s newest industry report “A Modern History of International Association Meetings – Update: 1963-2017”, released to celebrate ICCA’s 55th anniversary, reveals the results of an extensive study of 55 years of growth in the industry. The report marks an important milestone in ICCA’s history and recognises the continued influence of…
Drawing on official data from 14 national trade fair bodies who guarantee the quality of the statistics they provide, UFI’s latest report compiles statistics on 2,709 exhibitions covering a total of 27.6 million square metres of registered rented space in 2017. The report shows a notable increase of 5% in terms of the total number…
There has never been a more exciting time for meetings and events. The growth in sophisticated venues across the globe and innovation in tech is making boundless creativity a reality. And smarter ways of using data to fine-tune the value around meetings programs are in full effect. The digital revolution and use of social media…
Are you dealing with dwindling travel and event budgets? Are you looking at the improvements in technology and its lower cost of entry price points and wondering if face-to-face events still provide a good return on investment? Now, more than ever, the value of face-to-face events seems to be in question. This white paper highlights…
New technology shows companies exactly how their events are translating into real revenue and profit growth – all the while making event management easier and delivering a better customer experience. For many corporations, hosting or sponsoring events – from small customer meetings to large conferences or industry trade shows – is an important component of…
In 2016, the IACC Meeting Room of the Future™ report began providing a pulse on global meeting industry trends. Five research and trends reports later, the initiative has been instrumental in identifying new trends and taking a deeper dive into select changes occurring in the meetings industry. This report takes the research one step further…
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)
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The Duke of York may have had ten thousand men, but recently when the University of York announced an all-male panel of seven for a history (sic) conference, a well-known female alumna tweeted academic displeasure. The conference sponsor immediately took the message on board and postponed the event, winning himself a GenderAvengers award. From PCMA Convene…
Some things just work better when you’re hearing from two locations at the same time. The industry has been talking for a while about virtual and hybrid meetings, both on the rise. But what about multi-hub events (partially virtual meetings where groups in different places share the same programme at the same time)? From PCMA…
If a company sponsors a bar tab or breakfast at an event, the return on that investment may quickly wear off. But at the inaugural MANOVA in Minneapolis, one of the healthcare event’s biggest sponsors chose to offer something rather more lasting. Walmart installed something most unusual for a conference: a flu-shot station. From PCMA…
The debate about whether business events are “tourism” or “economic development” has been rumbling on for a decade. At a JMIC meeting earlier this year, the room decided “economic development” was the correct term. But one Iceberg partner finds himself going both ways (and with a spectacular mixing of metaphors). From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
Can the knowledge imparted at a congress really be worth close to €1 billion? That’s the claim made by the European Society of Radiology and Vienna Convention Bureau about the European Congress of Radiology held in Vienna earlier this year. What does it say about the way we value knowledge? From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
The recent Conservative Party conference offered little clarity on the UK’s route forward to leaving the European Union. But did delegates also miss some irony? The event’s venue, Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, was partially funded by the EU with a donation of £50 million in 1991. Photo: Philip Pankhurst. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
Event designers are always imagining new ways to harness audience attention and make experiences memorable. But the pressure to be bigger and better than last year always seems to grow. David Peckinpaugh spoke at the Experient “Change Agents”-themed conference earlier this year, and here offers views on video about experience design. From Maritz Global Events…
The meetings industry has a huge environmental impact, from the distance delegates fly, to the reams of paper printed and kilowatts of energy used. As green culture takes hold, events with environment-friendly certification already have a market advantage. As expectations rise, this will become a minimum requirement. Views include Iceberg partner IAPCO. From Skift…
Only seven percent of global CEOs are women. That stark fact opened a discussion about meetings industry gender equality at Cvent CONNECT Europe in London. Sitting on the panel were the CEO of Iceberg partner IMEX, Carina Bauer, and Fast Forward 15’s Fay Sharpe. Views on gender quotas proved extremely interesting. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Most convention centres are publicly owned, so local laws are framed to allow community access. When it comes to the homeless this can present challenges. But being public institutions, venues can also play an active role in assisting the homeless. The International Association of Venue Managers offers nineteen amazing cases in point. From PCMA Convene…
The Watkins Report for US and Canadian convention bureaux is published biennially, and Curt Watkins of Watkins Research has been conducting the study for the past 25 years. Here he shares his perspective on how the features planners are seeking in their host destinations have changed over recent decades. From PCMA Convene…
While Hurricane Florence didn’t touch down in Charleston, the destination estimates it took a $63 million hit as a result of cancelled events. Some organisers postponed early to avoid potential issues, others tried to move forward right up until the governor issued the call for mandatory evacuation. Some groups even turned events virtual. From PCMA Convene…
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Health & Wellness initiatives are an important and growing aspect to meetings and events. Meeting planners understand intimately the level of stress that comes with the territory and science tells us that “stress is a killer”. In this session, learn how to be proactive in shifting this reality individually and for the client by weaving…
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…
The world of meeting professionals is moving ahead rapidly. Are you staying up to speed with these changes? Designing better meetings and events is more relevant than ever and growing in importance. And while technology advances influence many aspects of the planning process, our knowledge, and skills as planners and meeting designers, must also evolve to keep up with the constant developments in the…
This year, CMI is partnering with Destinations International to bring together leading industry professionals to share learnings about the LGBTQ market; these are the people behind the success stories. Designed for marketing and sales executives of tourism boards, CVBs and DMOs (we also welcome accommodations, tour operators, travel suppliers, events, agencies, and meeting and wedding professionals!). Topics include:…
More details to be available closer to the time.
Association leaders have multiple responsibilities and face limitless distractions, competing demands, and a consistent pressure to perform, so it’s no wonder that the practice of mindfulness is increasing in the business world, including in associations. In this five-session online seminar series, learn firsthand from other executives who share techniques they use successfully to thrive and…
The half-day Finance for the Non-Financial Manager workshop will include a comprehensive overview of finance essentials, enabling you to use financial acumen to add value when your association makes growth and strategic allocation decisions. You’ll learn to become a better user of financial information so you’re a more strategic contributor to your association.
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.
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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.
Spain Convention Bureau and the Spanish Tourist Office are bringing key destinations of Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Ibiza, to a ‘Taste of Spain’ networking lunch for UK Event Planners at the unique Amantia Restaurant, Birmingham, to give you the opportunity to discuss all the options open to you for future events in Spain. Attendees on the…
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…
PCMA will host 2019 Convening Leaders in Pittsburgh, PA, known as” City of Bridges,” located at confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and recognized for its 400+ bridges and breath-taking vistas. The destination once known as “The Steel City” has transformed into a technology lightening rod with companies such as Google, Apple, Bosch, Facebook, Uber, Nokia,…
SITE’s signature annual event returns, with an agenda full of educational sessions, keynotes and speakers, certification opportunities, evening events and celebrations, award ceremonies, tours and more. Gather with SITE members and incentive travel professionals from around the world to explore our theme of Incentivising Diversity & Innovation. Ranked as one of the top tourist destinations, magnificent Bangkok, Thailand…
EMEC19 is tailor-made BY MPI’s European meeting and event community FOR meeting and event professionals to learn, network and forge and sustain business partnerships.
This dynamic one-day event offers Destination International members the opportunity to connect with the nation’s top planners in one location. Destination Showcase is designed to maximize opportunities for meaningful connections between planners and destination organizations and highlight how CVBs can drive more successful meetings.
CONVENE is an annual Baltic Sea Regions premiere boutique exhibition for the meetings, events and incentives industry. The two-day business to business event is an international show case for the regional meetings industry which accelerates the interest in, and demand for, holding meetings, incentives and conferences in the region. CONVENE also serves as an exciting platform…
In recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognise Africa as a sought after destination. Meetings Africa showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products where African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent.
