In November the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) welcomed a record number of delegates to its 56th annual congress. Almost 1,300 members, including more than 40 association executives, travelled to Prague for four days of education, chapter meetings and networking. During the event, the inaugural winners of the “Incredible Impacts” grants supported by both…
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…
Average spend both per meeting and per delegate grew significantly in the UK during 2017, says the HBAA Meetings Barometer. The research, developed with The MeetingsBenchmark, also shows the average daily delegate rate down slightly. 2017 was a good year for UK meeting sales, with 2018 on course to be even better. From Meetpie.com…
The US economy gained momentum in 2017 and the meetings industry followed suit. There may however be speed bumps in 2018, organisers say, especially for those who plan international events. Convene’s 27th Annual Meetings Market Survey finds challenges in obtaining visas to enter the US a growing problem for foreign delegates. From PCMA Convene…
Events have been called off across the UK after heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures. In Edinburgh a job fair at the Assembly Rooms was postponed until May. In London a dinner organiser found half his guests having problems attending, then some of the chefs. “Doughnuts work at a formal event right?!” he tweeted. Photo: Derek Harper. From Meetpie.com…
EventWell has launched as the new social enterprise and educational resource for industry professionals, following on from an inaugural wellbeing campaign and official event week for the UK sector EventWell17. A board of eight professionals will oversee initial planning, creating awareness, and collating on eventwell.org of research, then the organising of EventWell18 this September. From Meetpie.com…
The new President of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers, Mathias Posch, wants the organisation to “keep thinking big”. He also wants to increase IAPCO’s footprint in Asia and Latin America. Mr. Posch was recently elected President at IAPCO’s largest-ever annual general assembly in Tokyo. From Association Meetings International…
The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2018 has drawn event professionals and exhibitors from over twenty countries to connect, learn and be inspired in Melbourne. The event kicked off with a press conference from John Eren, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and a quirky welcome party showcasing Victoria’s festival culture. From CIM News Magazine…
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…
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…
Increasing regulation, rising business optimism, and a growing appetite for wellness: these are some of the things shaping incentive travel, reward and recognition programmes in 2018. So says the Incentive Research Foundation, which has published its annual study highlighting the top incentive trends that will affect organizations in the year ahead. From Meetings & Conventions…
Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2018 in Melbourne is set to inspire event professionals with a range of never before seen interactive features. A system blending human connection and technology via touchscreen video platform will welcome delegates on arrival. The automated Selfiebot will interact with them and roam around taking photographs. From CIM News Magazine…
The 12th edition of IBTM Arabia, which has taken place in Abu Dhabi, has been hailed a success with 2,700 business meetings held between the elite group of event planners and exhibitors. Delegates also attended networking events and education sessions. Several changes were made this year, including enhancements to the hosted buyer programme. From Meetpie.com…
Despite not quite breaking a human guitar world record, the flagship event of the Professional Convention Management Association, Convening Leaders, attracted a record 4,457 delegates last month, up seven percent on 2017. The Nashville meeting also attracted 1,604 attendees who followed proceedings online and 109 in the Asia Pacific who watched on catch-up. From Association Meetings International…
One of the world’s leading independent events organisers, London based Clarion Events, has completed a merger with exhibition and online B2B marketplace operator Global Sources, based in Hong Kong. Both are owned by investment firm Blackstone, which will control the combined group. The merger creates one of the world’s largest privately-owned exhibition businesses. From CIM News Magazine…
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…
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…
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…
Despite the UK’s imminent exit from the EU, Britain’s corporate event organisers continued to stage events in continental Europe during 2017 with 45 percent of clients choosing international venues. The British Meetings & Events Industry Survey shows Germany to be the preferred European destination among respondents, and equally as popular as the USA. From Meetpie.com…
Marriott International is slashing the industry-standard ten percent commission paid to group intermediaries. From March 31st the rate will be seven percent for hotels sourced in the US and Canada. The move prompted outrage from planners, many of whom rely solely on commission revenue. Iceberg partner Northstar has collated substantial coverage. From Meetings & Conventions…
Powered by 
