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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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Las Vegas: Thoughts on Current Hotel Security Practice

In the wake of the Las Vegas tragedy, Michael Susong of iJet International has been discussing the state of hotel security. Screening baggage is hard, but vigilance, noticing out of place details, protocols for warning security – and for leaving the area – are all crucial. Photo: C. Mendoza. From Meetings & Conventions…    

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Las Vegas: After the Unthinkable, the Show Still Goes on

The Bellagio fountains continue to spray. Showgirls again take money off visitors. Music and magic spectaculars have reopened their doors. Amid makeshift memorials and a large police presence, Tim Dahlberg describes a struggle for normality after the unthinkable, in a city built on both business and leisure tourism. Photo: C. Mendoza. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Las Vegas: Support, Prayers and Condolences

As America reels from the grim mass shooting in Las Vegas – the deadliest in US history – the country’s meetings and events industry has been reaching out to a destination at its very heart. 58 people were killed and 489 injured by a gunman firing on an outdoor music event. Photo: S. Dizayee. From PCMA……

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Education: Any Organisation’s First Priority

In a fast-changing and uncertain world, education is probably the most important thing any business does. Its importance is growing, driven by specialisation of professional skills, by speedier deployment of products and services, and by its own evolving visibility and delivery. By Rod Cameron, Executive Director, AIPC and the Joint Meetings Industry Council. From Boardroom…

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Conferences as Economic Catalysts

Earlier this year the Iceberg published “Defining Conventions as Urban Innovation and Economic Accelerators”, a Skift research report produced in collaboration with Meetings Mean Business. The study examines how conferences contribute to innovation, industry and the economy. Now author Greg Oates has been discussing these concepts further in a webinar. From Skift / Meetings Mean Business…

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Please Stop: A Request of Mother Nature

Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria have made 2017’s hurricane season one of the grimmest ever. Mexico City is reeling from an earthquake. With meetings cancelled and convention centres becoming mega-shelters, Iceberg partner Northstar has a request for Mother Nature on behalf of these destinations. Please just stop. Photo: Daniel Di Palma. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Event Security: The Attendee’s Guide

Security and safety considerations are becoming increasingly important for delegates as well as planners to address in attending meetings. But best practice and typical execution here are also rarely the same thing. This attendee’s guide is a checklist of proactive thinking across a meeting’s entire timeline: before arrival, during the event and after. From tmf dialogue marketing…

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