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Marriott Commission Cut: Independent Planners React

Marriott International is cutting to seven percent the standard ten percent commission paid to group intermediaries in the US and Canada. The move prompted fierce reaction from the industry, much collated above in News. But Iceberg partner Northstar has also filmed video interviews with organisers at its Independent Planner Education Conference. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Harassment: Beyond the Hashtag

After the Presidents Club Dinner, it was the charity sector that took the heat, while meetings and events whistled a tune and looked the other way. Coming research will show that the MI also has a problem. But perhaps the response needs to be proportionate and in context. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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Association Legacies: Three Opportunities and More

The word “legacy” is much used, especially in the context of what associations leave behind after their events in any destination. Beyond the idea of a “gift” or “bequest”, an act of love, charity and care, a recent article defines legacy in terms of community engagement, meeting content, and the transfer of skills. From Boardroom…

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Hurricane Maria and the Puerto Rico Convention Center

Only a few weeks ago the Puerto Rico Convention Center was still the main headquarters of the area’s emergency response effort after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The venue’s General Manager Jorge Perez looks back at how his facility was commandeered by both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and by local officials. From Successful Meetings…

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Westminster Bubbles: New Minister Keen to Engage, Says BVEP

New Tourism Minister Michael Ellis is keen to develop a positive agenda for the events industry, says Business Visits and Events Partnership Chair Michael Hirst. As discussed in the last “Westminster Bubbles”, the minister was appointed in the January reshuffle, replacing John Glen and resetting government dialogue with the industry. Photo: Chris McAndrew. From Meetpie.com…

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Meeting and Event Greening: Myths and Truths

It is quite likely you have already heard a lot about meeting and event greening, but how much of what you know is actually true? As with all new things, there can be confusion and misinformation. The Event Greening Forum unpacks some common myths about sector greening and sets the record straight. From the Event…

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Association Meetings: Rethinking the Model

Associations are increasingly reexamining traditional approaches to creating meeting and event programmes. Delegate numbers are broadly rising, but audiences continue to demand more engagement and specialist content. Organisations need to balance effective continual professional development with giving delegates content curated around their specialities: creating a legacy of knowledge across often global memberships. From Boardroom…

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Westminster Bubbles: A Reshuffle Reset

Two past Opinions (“Westminster Bubbles”) have reported the UK meetings industry’s bridge-building with government. Now Prime Minister Theresa May’s January reshuffle has moved tourism minister John Glen (pictured) over to another post. So the industry will therefore have to start the conversation all over again with his successor. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Convening Leaders 2018: Aligning Meetings with Knowledge Hubs

The Iceberg’s very own James Latham presented a session at Convening Leaders 2018 in Nashville called “The Rise of Intellectual Capitalism: The Role of Meetings”. Destinations and conferences which align themselves to knowledge clusters like biotech, fintech or healthcare reap benefits on all sides, he said. Latham was also interviewed by Amanda Marijanovic. From PCMA Convene…

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SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018: A Roman Romance

Meetings are always about human contact and interaction, but delegates should also find time to enjoy their destination. At the recent SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018 in Rome, attendees were spoiled by the city’s classical and Renaissance heritage, and also by the facilities and venues hosting the event. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018: Getting Excited About Inflation

Hot air ballooning preceded powered flight by over a century. At a session on trends and innovation in event technology at the recent SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018 in Rome, it was not a high but low-tech solution that had participants puffing with excitement: inflatable room dividers that create temporary spaces. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Convening Leaders 2018: 15 Views on Future Event Technology

So what is the future of event technology? In the Future of Face2Face open space learning area at Nashville’s Music City Center during Convening Leaders 2018, fifteen participants gave their views on the way things are heading. A low-tech approach of having them fill out index cards was employed for the purpose. From PCMA Convene…

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Not the Droid You Were Looking For?

Meet LG robot Cloi, a media sensation after repeatedly failing to respond to instructions and merely blinking during its unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The failure is both a horror story of what can go wrong during a presentation, but also a reaffirmation of humanity. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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Deborah Sexton: 13 Years, 13 Questions

Convening Leaders 2018 in Nashville was a valedictory event for Deborah Sexton, who is stepping down as CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association after thirteen years. So here are Deborah’s revealing answers to thirteen questions, including her country music ambitions, ad libbing after Matthew McConaughey, and surviving a plane hijacking. From PCMA Convene…

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SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018: All Roads Lead to Rome

The Eternal City recently became the Eventprofs City for a weekend as the SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018 hit Rome. The first time the two had joined forces, the benefits of co-location were immediately obvious both in the sheer range of speakers and sessions, and in the value consequently delivered. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Convening Leaders 2018: 18 Soundbites

Convening Leaders 2018 saw a massive gathering in Nashville of industry expertise. Here are eighteen thought-provoking quotes from the show: from diversity to sustainability, and from entering the Chinese market to getting attendees out of their hotel rooms. “We don’t make changes because we see the light. It’s because we feel the heat.”. From PCMA Convene…

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