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Two years ago the Chinese administration began the process of decoupling associations or scientific societies from government sponsorship and control. An astonishing 700,000 associations will now need to establish sustainable business models in order to survive. Oscar Cerezales, Chief Operating Officer of MCI Asia-Pacific, reflects on the differences between this Chinese association market and the…
With the Events Industry Council’s “Economic Significance of Meetings to the US Economy” now out, and after incentive sector specific research from both the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence and the Incentive Research Foundation, how far do such reports correctly quantify the real impact and worth of incentive travel? From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
In October three presentations by US Environmental Protection Agency scientists were pulled from a workshop in Rhode Island. The presenters had contributed to a report citing climate change as a threat. As fewer government scientists attend conferences and with uncertainty over international travel to the US, three experts weigh in. From PCMA Convene…
Bogotá, capital of Colombia, is one of the most dynamic cities in Latin America with 7.6 million inhabitants. Now at a crossroads as the nation leaves behind more than 50 years of internal conflict, attracting international events that have an impact is part of an overall strategy of change. From Boardroom, with the Bogotá Convention Bureau…
The International Play Association supports “every child’s right to play and to promote healthy, high-quality play opportunities and environments”. When the manager of recreation for the north and east region of the City of Calgary was approached to host its world conference, her boss said “I want to do something that’s meaningful”. From Boardroom…
The business events industry is changing faster than perhaps ever before. Each year we see new and exciting developments brought about by rapid evolution of technology, growing understanding of how business events can create value, and changing priorities and expectations of host organisations and their delegates. So what’s next? From Lyn Lewis-Smith via LinkedIn…
What makes a good conference? Pádraic Gilligan picks again over the recent SITE + MPI Global Forum in Rome. But he reaches the Eternal City via a Harvard Business Review article about US women’s networking events, and research revealing that those attending were twice as likely to be promoted within a year than the no-shows. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
The imminent sledgehammer of the EU’s General Data Protection Requirement (GDPR) has been in the air for some time now. But does the extent to which companies have been ignoring their soon-to-be regulatory responsibilities mean that we should in fact be calling it GDDPR: the General Denial of Data Protection Requirement? From Meetings & Conventions…
Sometimes meeting and destination are truly a perfect fit. In 2023 the World Council for Psychotherapy’s World Congress returns to its inaugural venue, the Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna. With the city being the birthplace of Freud himself, the Vienna Convention Bureau suggested the “crazy idea” of a “Freudian walk”. Photo: Gugerell. From PCMA Convene…
By involving local communities in your meetings you can create a concrete legacy for the host destination. Strategic results can be achieved for everyone. A good example of legacy creation is the SIAARTI Academy 2017, an innovative training event for members of the Italian Society for Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care. From Boardroom…
Exhibitions at conferences, or confexes, provide a wealth of opportunities to improve the delegate experience. South African confexes are on a par with the rest of the world. They share similar trends in the increasing use of technology, in improving conference content, and in a greater focus on networking opportunities. From the Event…
Looking at the country through the eyes of an incentive travel planner reveals there are myriad ways to unpack and repackage the “South African experience”. Requests still come in for the traditional offerings like safaris and beach trips. But planners are all about looking at locations with a fresh eye. From the Event…
Meetings Africa 2018 is about to open its doors, as the travel and tourism trade, plus local and international buyers and media, head for the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. This year’s theme is “shared economies”, meaning the importance of collaboration in destination marketing and boosting development in Africa through business meetings. From the Event…
As reported in News, Dubai’s meetings dominance continued in 2017. The emirate won 212 bids and proposals. Expo 2020 is also nearing. Dubai has always hosted spectacular familiarisation trips, and an Iceberg partner has just enjoyed one, during which the brand new Dubai Frame (pictured) was on the itinerary. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
The Iceberg has previously reported how the World Parkinson Congress’ involvement of patients won it one of ICCA and BestCities Global Alliances “Incredible Impacts” awards. Here Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard, Executive Director of the World Parkinson Coalition, describes in further detail her organisation’s approach to creating a patient legacy in its host cities. From Boardroom…
The Professional Convention Management Association’s new President and CEO is Sherrif Karamat, previously the PCMA COO. In the first of a monthly column he’ll be writing as part of his new post, Sherrif contrasts the legacies of conferences and conventions with the current disruption faced by almost every sector. From PCMA Convene…
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