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SITE Index: Reading Between the Pages

The Iceberg has previously reported on the latest Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Index research report. Budgets are still growing and optimism is high, despite global events. Corporate buyers are understanding the effectiveness of incentives. Here’s some further analysis by the man who co-presented the study at IMEX America. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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Africa: Business Events Insights and Predictions

The Event, a partner of The Iceberg, has just produced a five part series of video interviews called “Business Events Insights and Predictions”. These examine Africa’s current meetings industry and its future opportunities from a number of differing industry perspectives. The series includes Gary Grimmer, CEO of The Iceberg partner GainingEdge, on business events as…

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Risk: Approaches to Best Practice

As business event planners react to the changing outside factors that can disrupt their meetings, so also industry associations, including some partners of The Iceberg, are themselves considering how to educate and define best practice in risk management for their memberships. The call is being made for a collaborative approach. From Skift…

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Catalonia’s Political Uncertainty Prompting Cancellations

The Iceberg has previously reported that ibtm world is proceeding despite the independence referendum tensions in Barcelona. Opinions has also already carried an interview with CVB Director Christoph Tessmar. But now evidence is emerging that Catalonia’s political uncertainty is already costing the region meetings business. Photo: Xfigpower. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Exhibition Security and the New Threat Reality

How has trade-show security changed over recent years, and what now goes operationally into keeping exhibitors and visitors at an event safe under the current threat landscape? One of the top five global car exhibitions, the LA Auto Show, lifts the bonnet and reveals just how safety is currently engineered. From PCMA…

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Birmingham: Kojak’s Kind of Town

In preparing an upcoming feature on Birmingham in the UK, an Iceberg partner has rediscovered a destination marketing masterpiece also well known to the Iceberg team, which itself has reported from the city. It’s a vintage promo gem narrated by TV’s Kojak… Telly Savalas. Birmingham: who loves ya, baby? From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Five Takeaways From IMEX America 2017

An experienced attendee puts IMEX America under the spotlight: from the grim realities of the Las Vegas shooting, to SITE Nite at the Brooklyn Bowl, to the changing hues of event design, furniture either with USB ports or made of LEGO, a musical Inspiration Hub, and a statement Irish pavilion. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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Big Impact, Low Budget

Wowing your audience without spending too much is hard. Here’s a guide to doing just that, by using the latest technology, giving away goodies, keeping your agenda energetic but focused, choosing a great venue… and also a destination people want to visit. From Simon Lockwood, creative director at The Brewery in London, and Successful Meetings…

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Pacific World Forecasts Industry Trends of 2018

Despite new technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, meetings and incentive professionals should expect next year to be all about “engagement”. That’s according to Pacific World, which has published a list of trends to watch for in 2018. Four in particular will drive engagement: localization, cultural immersion, community impact, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. From Successful Meetings…

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Barcelona Update: CVB Director Christoph Tessmar

Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, has been discussing the Catalonian independence referendum violence and how the situation affects events coming to the city. From 28th October to 1st November the 25th United European Gastroenterology Week will be bringing in around 15,000 congress delegates to the destination. Includes Turisme Barcelona’s official statement. From tmf dialogue marketing…

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Five Factors Shaping the Global Exhibition Industry

At the recent EEAA Global Exchange in Sydney, Australia, Kai Hattendorf – the CEO of the global association of the exhibition industry (UFI) – outlined five factors he believes will be shaping the sector over the coming years. He also warned that exhibitions need to ‘switch gear’. From the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia…

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Business Events Canada: A Priority Sector Focus

Chantal Sturk-Nadeau is the new head of Business Events Canada, the organisation responsible for meetings industry promotion in the country. During a recent trip to Europe, she shared her vision. BEC has identified seven priority business sectors where Canada holds a competitive advantage and is internationally recognized as a centre of excellence. From Boardroom…

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Balancing ACT: Marriott and the Value of Values

Marriott has recently taken flak for hosting a convention of ACT America, which calls itself a ‘grassroots national security organisation’ but which has also been dubbed America’s ‘largest anti-Muslim hate group’. Marriott lists diversity and inclusion among its core values. ACT America has its own anti-violence, anti-discrimination policy. From the editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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South Africa: A Guide to the Subvention Fund

At Meetings Africa 2017 a R110 million subvention fund was announced, part of the South African Government’s R494 million tourism allocation for the next three years. It has already assisted organisers in bringing association meetings to South Africa. So who is eligible for this funding and how does one apply for it? From the Event…

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A Warning “Or Everyon”: Theresa May and THAT Speech

It was a speech the embattled UK Prime Minister was hoping would go rather better than it did. First, a prankster breached security to hand Theresa May a fake P45 (a UK termination of employment form). Then she lost her voice. Even the set designer received an unexpected “F” (and later “E”). From CIM News Magazine…

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Food for Thought: One Third of Venues Offer “Brain Foods”

Today’s attendees want healthier food that improves mental focus and concentration. That’s according to an IACC report “Trends in Nutrition & Delegate Wellbeing”. “Brain foods” are on the rise, with over a third of survey venues offering them. 75 percent either currently offer basic nutritional information in their menus or plan to. From CIM News Magazine…

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