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Associations in Society: Contributing to the Wider Social Good

The intersecting crises of the pandemic, climate change and increasing inequality are compelling associations to repurpose and serve not just their members but society itself as well. This includes making commitments about sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). From Boardroom…

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With Delta Cases Rising, Vaccination Mandates Gain Ground

When a US academic recently asked on Twitter whether our professional organisations should have vaccine and mask requirements at their on site meetings this autumn, the result was unexpectedly definitive. It also sets the stage for a challenging few months ahead, for the organisations, for destination local authorities, and also for attendees. From PCMA…

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Serendipitous Meeting Leads to Girl Guides Keeping Bees

Much is said about serendipity at events. AĀ recent gathering of the Membership Committee for the African Society of Association Executives, attended by Gary Grimmer of Iceberg partner GainingEdge, saw a chance encounter develop into a legacy collaboration helping Girl Guides to learn beekeeping. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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How HIMSS21 Handled Attendee Vaccine Verification

When a healthcare meeting chose to require verification of COVID-19 vaccination for attendees, it had to figure out how to do so in practice. The HIMSS21 conference just held used CLEAR Health Pass Validation and Safe Expo Vaccine Concierge Validation to verify status of staff, vendors and attendees. From Associations Now…

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Managing a Reported Positive COVID Test After Your Meeting

As more meetings return fully in person or as hybrid with in person components, there is the chance that someone will test positive for COVID-19 following attendance. Having a plan to deal with this is crucial, and that plan begins by helping delegates understand to whom to report the information. From Associations Now…

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Climate Change Can’t Be Solved Without Face-to-Face

On paper, travelling to meetings isĀ less friendly to the environment than meeting virtually. But events face-to-face have value add hard to quantify. Human interaction is vital for challenging entrenched ways of doing business. To tackle climate change, we must surely collaborate in person as well as online. From Meetings & Incentive Travelā€¦

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Tokyo 2020: Staging a Hybrid Global Event Too Big to Fail

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were the most expensive to date, and too big to fail, despite ongoing challenges from the pandemic.Ā Gary Grimmer, the Executive Chairman of Iceberg partner GainingEdge, says they make a timely case study for planners and destinations in the new paradigm of broadcast-friendly hybrid events. From Meetings & Conventions Asiaā€¦

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Thoughts on Industry Future at the AIPC Annual Conference

Boardroom Chief Editor Remi Deve just returned from Lausanne where he attended theĀ Annual Conference of Iceberg partner AIPC. He shares here a few things he learned about the future of the sector from both the meeting’s programme and from reconnecting with colleagues at the SwissTech Convention Center. From Boardroom…

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Early Event Action on Climate Change: The Challenge of COP26

The event sector is being urged to take more and earlier action over climate change, in advance of this November’sĀ COP26 conference at Glasgow’s SEC.Ā The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UK government and SME Climate Hub were part of the special event at which the call was made. From Meetings & Incentive Travelā€¦

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Associations, Meetings, Destinations: Changed Rules Post Pandemic?

The relationship between major associations and the cities hosting their meetings, although generally happy and fruitful, is beset by the similar issues to any relationship essentially transactional in nature. So, how will things change in the industry landscape redrawn by COVID-19? From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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BestCities Reaches 21: Collaboration Key for Destination Alliance

BestCities Global Alliance has just celebrated twenty-one years since its founding. Managing Director Lesley Williams reflects upon the Iceberg partner’s past and future, andĀ uponĀ the role collaboration has played in the journey. She also pays tribute to the BestCities’ member destinations and to more recently formed alliances. From BestCities Global Alliance…

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PCMA’s Sherrif Karamat: How Business Events Create Better World

Sherrif Karamat is the President and CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association. He claims here that the pandemic isĀ raising the need to focus now on why we meet and why events like congresses are held. He also has some interesting ideas about The Iceberg’s favourite subject of legacy. From Meetings International…

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US Healthcare Meeting Requiring Attendees’ Proof of Vaccination

While many conferences are still remaining virtual, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society is going back in person to Las Vegas, but requiring attendees at its August conference to show proof of their vaccinations. One of the larger healthcare events in the US, HIMSS cancelled last year because of the pandemic. From Associations Now…

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GAHP’s Martin Sirk: How Associations Are Evolving Their Meetings

The Iceberg always enjoys hearing from Martin Sirk, the International Advisor of our partner the Global Association Hubs Partnership and owner of Sirk Serendipity. In an AMI podcastĀ Martin discusses the future of association meetings in terms of both vaccine passports and also of outcomes measurement. From Association Meetings International…

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Northstar Editors Give Global Outlook on Sector Recovery

Singapore is tightening up its COVID restrictions. The UK has piloted large free-of-mask events, but uncertainty remains over resuming international meetings. With the global vaccine rollout still not injecting enough certainty into the industry, four Northstar editors from around the world have collaborated on a global outlook. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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