Global Exhibitions Day 2019 marked around the world.
Alongside the enthusiasm evident in the hundreds of photographs taken during Global Exhibitions Day 2019, there were also signs of a new sector maturity.
To mark GED, Iceberg partner UFI, the industry’s global association, launched an online database of exhibition initiatives aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, together with a report about them.
The move came on the back of the latest white paper from another partner, the Global Destination Sustainability Index, which finds a similar era of responsibility rising in the world of destination management.
The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence also launched The Bangkok Manifesto, a document that defines the nature, purpose and direction of incentive travel in ten crowdsourced statements.
You’ll find all three testaments of new-found maturity in Research. How grown-up we are to be leaving such legacies! Maybe we should also join a book club. Or buy a strimmer.
Added to Features this issue of Business Events World and on The Iceberg, how Hamburg’s medical hub is attracting meetings, bridging the generation divide in African associations, and the meetings knowledge to be tapped across The Netherlands.
In News this issue, the IMEX Gala Dinner closed IMEX Frankfurt, which reported almost 70,000 individual and group attendee appointments. UFI elected its first Board President from India, Anbu Varathan, and was also behind the fourth Global Exhibitions Day, with around 90 countries taking part.
Africa’s Travel Indaba, hosted again at the Durban ICC, attracted over 1,000 exhibitors and 1,500 buyers, as well as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Keynotes and a new format were announced for the Africa Associations Congress in Pretoria this August. The BestCities Global Forum will examine the future of meetings in Copenhagen this December. Sydney is to welcome 36 global medical meetings over the next five years thanks to its healthcare leadership.
Also in News, ICC Wales launched a drive recruiting conference ambassadors at Swansea University. The Scottish Event Campus announced its most lucrative year since 2014, and Austria Center Vienna its best in three decades. A new era of sustainability is set to shape the events industry, according to the latest white paper from GDS-Index.
There’s still more on The Iceberg itself (click View all News). The International Association for Suicide Prevention has chosen the Gold Coast for its World Congress in 2021. Hosting the Congress of the European Society for Emergency Medicine will develop this fledgling field in Prague. The Palais des congrès de Montréal has put together a Sustainability Innovation Committee of academic experts.
In Opinions, five posts follow on from IMEX Frankfurt. At the show, Don Welch of Destinations International said his organisation spends a lot of time and energy doing battle with politicians on behalf of its members. Keith Tan of the Singapore Tourism Board spoke of the city-state’s strategy in attracting international associations. Elliott L. Ferguson II of Destination DC was talking “connected capital”, inclusion and positive impact. Meanwhile, a legacy of awareness around visual impairment was created at a “Dialogue in the Dark” workshop, and as IMEX Frankfurt wrapped up for another year, the industry was already looking forward towards IMEX America in Las Vegas this September.
Also in Opinions, the Women Deliver conference has just brought 8,000 to the Vancouver Convention Centre. SITE’s Bangkok Manifesto aims to define the raison d’être of the incentive travel sector. Five Canadian convention bureaux just attended London Tech Week’s AI Summit to attract business events to their own destinations.
Finally, and as always, The Iceberg reiterates its call for you to join our Global Ambassador Program. You can see Ambassadors listed on The Iceberg homepage, Ambassadors page, and in Business Events World below. Visit Call for Ambassadors 2019 & 2020 to find out more.
Until the next time…
Robert Coren, Curator of The Iceberg
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A year ago Amsterdam hosted the 22nd International Aids Conference. A visual “dressing” campaign made the meeting very hard to miss in and around the city. Holland may be a compact in size as a conference destination, but it packs a punch when it comes to its knowledge infrastructure and congress capabilities. From Boardroom…
During Meetings Africa 2019 held recently in Johannesburg, a noticeable change of tone was detected in the young doctors and scientists attending the Association Day presented by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). It was a clear message to established medical association leaders that “Madiba’s Children” have arrived with legacy in their hearts. One…
Hamburg Convention Bureau is busy profiling the city as a medical hub. So is the soon-to-reopen CCH – Congress Center Hamburg. Home to internationally renowned doctors and hospitals, over 169,000 people work in Hamburg’s healthcare sector, or one employee in seven. As a result the city is securing one medical congress after another. From Boardroom…
At the recent CEO Summit held in London by Iceberg partner UFI, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism Saif Saeed Ghobash explained how international business events and exhibitions play a key role in diversifying the emirate’s economy away from petrochemicals. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
A recent trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, including both The Iceberg and its partner Boardroom, revealed a lot about this emerging conference destination. In this second video from the Jalisco state capital we hear discussed two key sectors earmarked for growth – high tech and creative – and the role of events in shaping that legacy. From Boardroom…
Business and professional events are key to economic and social transformation. South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, confirmed as much at Meetings Africa 2019, held recently in Sandton, Johannesburg. Minister Hanekom acknowledged the contribution to tourism numbers from business events but emphasised that the legacies of events in healthcare and economic development were where…
A recent trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, including both The Iceberg and its partner Boardroom, revealed a lot about this emerging conference destination. Also visiting the Jalisco state capital and life sciences hub of Latin America was Professor Bettina Borisch, Executive Director of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. From Boardroom…
For destinations with industrial roots that have since evolved into innovation-based economies, showcasing a revamped identity not only helps to correct outdated perceptions but is also key to drawing in the right groups, for instance associations. Former Rust Belt cities Cleveland, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati have all reinvented their economies. From PCMA…
The Event Africa, in partnership with The Iceberg, presents a case study on the Tanzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center. GICEC capitalises on its intellectual resources and has purpose-built a venue to serve local industry by enabling trade on a global platform. This includes GICEC’s Robotation Academy, housed on site. From the Event…
First announced in February, the #MEET4IMPACT Project is the brainchild of Geneviève Leclerc, Founder of Caravelle Strategies. Along with several partners, the initiative is creating a framework to support the generation and measurement of association meetings’ social impacts. More details have now been unveiled about the approaches being taken. From Boardroom…
The creation of La Nuvola Convention Centre, also called The Cloud, has lifted Rome’s appeal as a meetings destination. Despite its much-criticised spiralling costs, construction taking eight years to complete at a cost of €239 million, it’s estimated that the centre could generate between €300 and €400 million annually within five years. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The artist Paul Klee suffered and eventually died from scleroderma. The wasting disease remains rare, and used to be addressed only on the fringes of larger rheumatology conferences. Then the World Scleroderma Foundation and PCO AIM Group International partnered to launch the Systemic Sclerosis World Congress, a meeting that emphasises patient participation. From PCMA…
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A new era of sustainability is rising and set to shape the future of the events industry, according to a new white paper just out from the Global Destination Sustainability Index, an Iceberg partner. The report details case studies, data analysis and actions taken by 47 destination management organisations and municipalities. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Austria’s largest congress centre, Austria Center Vienna, has revealed that 2018 was the most successful year in its three-decade history. The venue generated €14.85 million (£13 million) and also welcomed 136,000 international delegates, representing a 29 percent year-on-year increase in visitor numbers. From Association Meetings International…
The Scottish Event Campus has had its most successful year since 2014 and the Commonwealth Games. Trading turnover increased by 21 percent to £35.1 million, and contributed an average of £1.5 million per day to the Glasgow economy in 2018 – 19, a total of £457 million over the year. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Record numbers of exhibition professionals around the world celebrated June 5, the fourth Global Exhibitions Day, which highlights how the industry generates $325 billion in total output globally and contributes $198 billion to GDP worldwide. An estimated 90 countries took part, according to preliminary data from Iceberg partner UFI, the sector’s global association. From PCMA…
Delegates at the Africa Associations Congress in Pretoria this August will be given insider tips on how to deliver a successful international conference. Last year more than 140 delegates from African associations, as well as international delegates from Europe and USA, attended the event’s first ever running in the same city. From Association Meetings International…
ICC Wales has demonstrated a strong commitment to attracting major international association meetings by launching a drive at Swansea University recruiting for its Ambassador Wales Programme. The scheme aims to establish a network of patriotic professionals who will be championing the country as a conference and event destination. From Association Meetings International…
While nobody can predict the future, the BestCities Global Forum looks to offer perhaps the next best thing: a futurologists’ analysis of challenges the meetings industry may face in 20 years’ time. In conjunction with the Copenhagen Convention Bureau, the conference will take place in the Danish capital this December. From Boardroom…
Africa’s Travel Indaba, hosted again at the Durban ICC, has attracted over 1,000 exhibitors and 1,500 buyers, as well as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (centre). The event was organised around greening principles in evidence throughout the three days, which included introducing Meetings Africa’s Green Stand Award for the most sustainable exhibitor. From the Event…
Sydney is to welcome 36 global medical meetings over the next five years in a nod to its leadership in healthcare. BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said the support of local experts, and committed State and Federal Governments that have prioritised the sector, all played a huge part in BESydney’s winning streak. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
Professionals from right across the business events industry have been honoured in Frankfurt at the IMEX Gala Dinner. The 2019 JMIC Unity Award went to Joachim König, Director of Hannover Congress Centrum. Emile Coetzee from North-West University in South Africa won the MPI Foundation / Maritz Global Events Student Scholarship Award. From the Event…
The Board of Directors of Iceberg partner UFI, global association of the exhibition industry, has elected Anbu Varathan (left) President for 2020 – 2021. He is the first person from India to hold the role. The decision was made at a Board meeting that began the UFI European Conference in Birmingham, United Kingdom. From the Event…
At the swansong of IMEX Frankfurt 2019, IMEX Group has reported, almost 70,000 individual and group appointments between attendees had taken place over the show’s three days. 72 percent of these had mini requests for proposals (RFPs) attached to them. The event hosted 250 education sessions. 47 percent of speakers were women. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
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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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On the occasion of 2019’s Global Exhibitions Day (GED), UFI, the industry’s global association, is launching a new report and online database. These will track initiatives and projects in the global exhibitions business shaped around the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. This resource, a first of its kind, aims to showcase work done…
Unlike anything humanity has experienced before, the current scale, scope and complexity of change is shaking foundations society has accepted as the norm. Five converging megaforces present destinations with both tremendous opportunities and challenges: climate breakdown, ecocide, demographic shift, social change and digitalisation. The meetings and events industry supports 26 million jobs, $1.5 trillion in global…
At the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence’s Global Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, during January 2019, The Bangkok Manifesto was created following a series of workshops with SITE’s International Board of Directors, Trustees of the SITE Foundation and a cohort of global experts in the field of incentive travel. The final ten statements of the document…
Expo 2020 Dubai and its legacy are expected to contribute AED122.6 billion of gross value added to the UAE’s economy from 2013–31, according to the EY report, The Economic Impact of Expo 2020 Dubai. The report states that Expo 2020 is also expected to support up to 905,200 full-time equivalent job-years in the UAE from…
This is a unique study of over 200 healthcare professionals (HCPs), from both Europe and the US, across a range of therapy areas. It highlights HCP preferences and shares perceptive experiences of medical congresses – from their decision-making regarding attendance, how they value this type of activity, how they apportion their time on-site and engage…
Omnipress recently conducted an online survey of 150 association and event professionals. The results have been compiled and published in the fifth annual State of the Conference Industry Report, which tracks the evolution of educational content and the role it plays at the annual conference. Educational content provides significant value to association members in 2019….
To quantify the economic significance of exhibitions globally, Oxford Economics has prepared a comprehensive model of global exhibitions activity that references recent studies on their economic significance. The results of this study show the scope of the global exhibition sector in terms of direct spending and jobs, as well as the total impacts of exhibitions…
This study is based on a global survey, concluded in January 2019. It represents up to date information on the development and the outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 19 specific countries and zones. Global Exhibition Barometer 22nd Edition (January 2019)
Universal Accessibility in Meetings is a research study conducted by GainingEdge, in collaboration with project partners BestCities Global Alliance and Rehabilitation International. The goal of this research project is to promote awareness among meeting organisers and the supplier community on the need to remove barriers in meetings and conventions for delegates with disabilities. The study…
A new index which ranks cities in terms of their competitive strength for attracting international conventions was launched at the 57th ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congress 2018. The index scores cities based on their strengths in relation to eleven key drivers that GainingEdge says influence association decision-making during destination selection processes. The first…
Tourism continues to dominate Asia Pacific’s travel industry, but the corporate incentive travel segment, already representing a quarter of the global travel industry, continues to make steady gains. The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) partnered with PCMA Education Foundation to commission a research project to help APAC region meeting planners understand what is driving this expanding…
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, announced the results of Women in the Exhibitions Industry at the 85th UFI Global Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia. The research is a joint project between UFI and its media partner m+a providing insights into the perception of women’s and men’s skills in the workplace, the potential…
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Five Canadian convention bureaux recently attended London Tech Week’s AI Summit at ExCeL. Their aim was to attract tech-related business events across to their own destinations, along with the inward investment that follows. Among them was Virginie De Visscher, Director of Business Development for Economic Sectors, Business Events Canada (third left). From Association Meetings International…
The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence’s new Bangkok Manifesto aims to define the nature, purpose and direction of the incentive travel sector. It was crowdsourced during the SITE Global Conference held in Bangkok this January, from essays written by ten sector professionals. CMO Pádraic Gilligan explains. From Northstar Meetings Group…
The Women Deliver conference has just brought 8,000 world leaders, advocates, academics, activists and journalists from over 150 countries into the Vancouver Convention Centre. The meeting aims to influence policy makers and politicians, and to drive investment into the lives of girls and women. Photo: Jon Benjamin Photography. From editor’s blog at Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Elliott L. Ferguson II, President and CEO of Washington DC’s official marketing organisation Destination DC, has been talking “connected capital”, inclusion and positive impact at IMEX in Frankfurt. His themes included which knowledge sectors the district is targeting, the legacies its meetings are leaving in their wake, and issues of diversity. From Boardroom…
As IMEX Frankfurt wraps up for another year, the events industry is already looking foward towards IMEX America this September in Las Vegas. “Imagination” is IMEX’s talking point for the year, and this theme will inform content throughout the meeting, bringing with it exciting new experiences, exhibitors and educational sessions. From Boardroom…
Keith Tan has been the Singapore Tourism Board’s Chief Executive for about half a year. During IMEX he spoke about the city-state’s plans and approaches for continuing to attract international associations and their meetings, which include working alongside Iceberg partners BestCities Global Alliance and Global Association Hubs Partnership. From Boardroom…
A legacy of awareness around visual impairment was created during IMEX in Frankfurt with the holding of a “Dialogue in the Dark” workshop. Hosted by industry association IAPCO, and the business events teams of both Dubai and Melbourne, it all started with a blindfold. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
The head of tourism association Destinations International says his organisation spends a lot of its energy and resources doing battle with politicians around the world on behalf of members facing financial and legislative challenges. CEO Don Welch was speaking out at IMEX about issues like “over-tourism” and womens’ and LGBTQ rights. From Association Meetings International…
Geoff Donaghy, ICC Sydney CEO, AEG Ogden Director Convention Centres and Iceberg Ambassador, just joined a panel at IMEX Frankfurt on placemaking (pictured). Here he discusses how an event precinct can sit at the heart of any destination’s placemaking strategy to drive its economic, cultural and social growth. From Geoff Donaghy via LinkedIn…
Collision 2019 is ostensibly a startup show, with nearly 1,100 fledgling companies, 26,000 attendees, and conference tracks for pitching venture capitalists called “Growth Summit,” “MoneyConf,” and, simply, “PITCH.” But another conference theme quietly linked the VC guys in slick suits, with the fintech startups, AI companies and data scientists: fixing the world. From Digital Trends…
At IMEX Frankfurt last week the usual sector promotion and celebration was clearly on display. Concern about the industry’s future, though, was also common in discussion, particularly on sustainability and the health of group bookings overall. The former has become an area of increasing focus, with the aim of reducing future political risk. From Skift…
Matthias Schultze, the Managing Director of the German Convention Bureau, is adamant that meetings and events’ environmental impact on the world needs to be addressed in their design. Here he discusses Germany’s approach to sustainability and findings on its importance in GCB’s Meeting & Event Barometer. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
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The ECM Summer School is an unmissable learning opportunity for all professionals working in Convention Bureaux, Tourist Offices, Congress Centres, Airlines, Hotels, DMCs, PCOs & Meeting Planners! The aim is to equip professionals with the latest marketing tools and to help them to develop the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in conference,…
Brilliant speakers, fresh ideas and continuous inspiration at 180-plus educations events over four days. Whether you want to tap into event tech, polish your professional skills, spark your imagination at a ground-breaking keynote, or connect with your peers, our unique and free program has it covered.
The 15th TourMIS Users’ Workshop and International Seminar is organised by the European Travel Commission, European Cities Marketing & MODUL University Vienna on September 12-13, 2019. Both events are directed toward managers, academics, as well as consultants and representatives of governments and international organisations dealing with tourism. Participants are invited to register for both days or can choose to participate…
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…
Mark Your IBTM World Calender Now for the 2019 Edition of AIPC’s Facility Operations Summit. This is one of the only opportunities in the industry for those representing the critical area of centre operation to build beneficial networks, strategize on issues of common concern and explore how improving interactions amongst centre managers can increase centre…
AIPC will again be at the fore with a mix of high-level industry interactions, member engagement and participation in programming that facilitates member access and creates opportunities for interactions and consultation. Visit us at stand K85.
Following the sell-out success of last year’s event, this year’s UFI-VMA Venue Management School (VMS) will once again be held in Shanghai. UFI joined forces with the Venue Management Association (VMA) in Australia to develop this innovative training programme, which is tailored to the specific requirements of venue managers in China. The Mandarin-language programme was created…
The AIPC Academy is the only comprehensive professional development program aimed specifically at international convention centre issues and opportunities. Updated annually to reflect the most current conditions, it is the best possible investment a centre can make in the development of fully professional staff ready to meet the facility management and marketing challenges of today…
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,…
News, Insights, ‘EdgyThinking’ and Case Studies… As a leader in the international business events market we offer access to benchmark performance data and best practices from around the world. We bring the expertise of a diverse group of professionals comprising business events market expertise, convention bureau operational expertise, business development expertise as well as convention…
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Brought to you by the most experienced name in MICE exhibitions, IBTM provides a gateway to the Chinese and Asia Pacific meetings, events and incentives market with IBTM China. Our aim is to immerse you in a community that, through networking, education and career development, will leave you inspired to create better events for better business.
The ICCA Central European Chapter meeting will take place in Belgrade, Serbia from 29 – 31 August 2019. This is an annual meeting open to ICCA members and for non-members by invitation only. More information will be available soon.
Learn, network, connect with the global meetings industry. Inspirational exhibitors, fresh ideas from experts and innovators, countless networking opportunities—this is where you need to be. If you’re a meeting and events professional, you’ll find all the suppliers you need for your events—from new venues in major cities across the world to the latest event tech providers.
The Client/Supplier Workshop is your ground to meet key decision makers or board members of associations that has the potential to bring their meetings to your destination. It is the most cost-effective way for you to meet 10-15 other clients who have been carefully vetted and approved by ICCA. This Workshop is definitely the most…
Responding to huge market demand, the hugely successful M&IT Agency Challenge concept will be replicated with participation from leading corporate buyers. Organised in association with the Event Marketing Association, the M&IT Corporate Challenge will bring together suppliers and corporate event organisers in the modern way to engage with key new contacts through a creative and interactive…
The small workshop is open to all members of the destination marketing sector who are interested in attracting smaller conferences to their destination. Accompanying clients should be decision makers/influencers of a European conference which has less than 800 delegates.
Registration will open in March 2019! The ICCA Congress: A must for meeting industry professionals! A global, modern and vibrant city bursting with culture and personality, Houston has innovation and technology at its heart. With unique educational content and unrivalled networking and business opportunities with local stakeholders, the 2019 ICCA Congress is not to be missed.
Open to UFI members only, UFI’s annual Global Congress is known as the exhibition industry’s largest global meeting of the year and the “must attend” event for all industry professionals, 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…
IBTM World is the leading global event for the meetings and events industry and we have one goal; we want to inspire the events world to deliver exceptional experiences. For 31 years, IBTM World has been providing the global community with the inspiration, business connections and content you need to create world-class events for your customers. Make a year’s worth of connections…
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 an event in a BestCities’ destination, to meet all the partner cities and meeting planners in one stunning location. Participating associations will return home with a tangible tool to use in the…
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Working out of both USA and Netherlands; projects in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America, with a mix of clients including IMEX, UFI, SITE and other international associations and meetings companies. Expert Advisor to tech start-up Kubify, Strategic Relations Advisor to IASP, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and International Advisor to…
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