In a creative if unusual approach to bid selection – let the events industry take note – the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded the 2024 and 2028 games together to both Paris and Los Angeles. Which city hosts which games will be decided later by the destinations’ National Olympic Committees and the IOC. From CIM News Magazine…
Following the boycott of another legal association last month for different reasons, the American Association of Law Libraries has decided not to stage future events in Texas. The AALL cites a new state law allowing publicly funded agencies to deny services for children in care on religious grounds, and also the proposed “bathroom bill”. Photo: LoneStarMike. From Meetings & Conventions…
The UK city of Nottingham is launching an ambassador programme to attract £5 million of research-led academic events from 2018. The scheme – run by Visit Nottinghamshire, part of Marketing NG, and the Nottingham Hospitality Association (NHA) – is intended in time to create a network of 200 ambassadors bringing in significant events to the city. From Association Meetings International…
Ahead of the ICCA Congress taking place there in November, the Prague Congress Centre’s renovation project has just entered phase two. After works to make the venue more environmentally friendly were finished in early Spring – installing energy-efficient heating and cooling – the focus is now on AV, a new navigation system and Internet connectivity. From Association Meetings International…
A ceremony has taken place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport to break ground on ICC Wales and mark the start of construction. The two year “game-changer” project will cost £83.7 million and create a venue with a 26,000 square metre footprint for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. 5,000 delegate events can be accommodated. From Association Meetings International…
A major proposed expansion to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando has been unveiled. The project – to be financed through a tourist development tax – would cost nearly $500,000 and add 800,000 square feet to the centre’s footprint. Officials say it could attract 25 extra events a year and 250,000 people. From Meetings & Conventions…
At Meetings Africa 2017, South Africa announced a bidding fund to target and win international association conferences and meetings. But subvention can be a mistake if not clearly linked to encouraging growth in key knowledge sectors. A special Event video report – produced in partnership with The Iceberg – explores the role the meetings industry will play in African economic development.
The Cairns Convention Centre – which has twice been named “World’s Best Congress Centre” at the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) APEX Awards – is to receive AU$176m to fund an expansion that will make it a “state-of-the-art international venue”, according to Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt. He called the government money a “catalytic investment”. From CIM News Magazine…
A new conference centre in the UK seaside resort town of Blackpool will be using local suppliers and subcontractors in a bid to support the region’s economy. Work on the £25m project will start later this year, and local construction companies have already been invited to an open day to find out more. From Meetpie.com…
San Diego may be stalling, but the $1.4 billion expansion and renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center has just been given the final go-ahead. After state legislators and Governor Brian Sandoval approved the project last year, the board of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has also now given it a green light. From Meetings & Conventions…
San Diego City Council has rejected the call for a special vote this November to increase hotel tax. The revenue generated was to have funded – amongst other things – the previously endorsed expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. The move puts the project on hold, despite the Council acknowledging the economic impact events generate. From Meetings & Conventions…
After more twists and turns in the saga than on any of its legendary theme park rides, Florida’s legislature has in the end voted to restore Visit Florida’s current annual budget of $76 million. This leaves the agency and state once again able to continue breaking visitation records. We can all now retire to Miami! From Meetings & Conventions…
The Iceberg exists to champion the legacies business events bring to destinations. But sometimes the approach is not that of the carrot, but the stick. The American Immigration Lawyers Association is pulling its conference out of Texas after the state passed a law the AILA says “is so blatantly contrary to our mission”. Photo: Phil Roeder. From PCMA…
Open to senior international association executives (or AMC on behalf of the associations), the Global Forum is the ideal opportunity for decision-makers considering hosting an event in a BestCities’ destination, to meet all the partner cities in one stunning location. BestCities is delighted to announce Toyko as the host partner for this year’s event.
After a rollercoaster ride, Visit Florida and the saga of its budget allocation may in the final reel be getting a fairytale ending. Governor Rick Scott and Florida legislators have hammered out an agreement to continue with the current funding of $76m. If there are any further shocks before the credits roll we’ll let you know. Photo: Dancorona21. From Meetings & Conventions…
More on the fight for Brand USA! MPI President and CEO Paul van Deventer has attacked the proposed cutting of its federal funding. He points out that meetings contribute 15% of the overall US travel and tourism dividend. Also campaigning on the grounds of economic contribution, Katie O’Neill of the Power of Travel Coalition. From Meetpie.com…
The fight for Brand USA continues. A loud voice of opposition to the proposed cut to the organisation’s federal funding, US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow, has made a video calling for a rethink and encouraging Congress to keep funding in place. Congress has the final say, and has previously supported Brand USA. From Meetings & Conventions…
Brand USA – the organisation promoting the US as a welcome destination for visitors – is to lose its federal funding under a proposed new budget from President Trump. The move has been attacked by US Travel association President Roger Dow as throwing away an $8.9 billion contribution to the economy and 28-to-1 return on investment. From Meetings & Conventions…
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