PRESENTS
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By Kai Hattendorf: 2024 was the best year ever for the trade show industry globally by revenues. 2025 likely won’t be. Uncertainties around an aggressive, tariffs-driven challenge to global trade from the new U.S. administration are shaking markets and economies around the world. If high import tariffs announced by the U.S. administration are here to…
From PCMA: According to a new Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) statement, the latest round of proposed tariffs will “increase costs for business and professional event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees alike.”When Convene spoke in December with Tommy Goodwin, vice president of Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), tariffs imposed on U.S. trading partners didn’t top the…
AIME 2020 pre-empted the pandemic. AIME 2025 pre-empted the unfolding of a global trade and intellectual engagement crisis. As a case study in fortunate timing, the Asia-Pacific’s annual meetings and business events trade show illustrated the harmony of globalisation when in full flow. It’s hard to imagine how the AUS$400m of trade reported from this…
True to form, the BestCities Global Alliance continued to use its annual Forum to pursue association impact by gathering members of its association community for shared learning. The methodology for developing greater impact strategies came in the form of the 2nd edition of the ICCA Association Impact Masterclass following its inauguration by Founding Funders and…
From Skift Meetings: The shifting political landscape in the U.S. is casting a shadow over WorldPride 2025, with sponsors pulling out and international travelers facing growing uncertainty. While organizers remain steadfast in their commitment to hosting the global event, concerns over all Pride events are mounting. WorldPride 2025, a three-week celebration in Washington, D.C., May…
By Pádraic Gilligan, Co-Founder, SoolNua: We now live in a global society where conflict, in all its forms, has become the new normal. Game-changing decisions that impact entire industries are being made—and unmade—within 24 hours. Global trade, poverty alleviation programs, pathways to peace, and even fundamental values like inclusiveness are being actively weaponized in a…
From Le Devoir: Cities are fighting over international conferences, whose economic benefits and influence are the stuff of dreams. In Canada and Quebec, organizations support municipalities and institutions that are trying to secure such events. In April 2024, the teams from Tourisme Montréal and the Palais des congrès de Montréal created the Collectif Savoir, whose…
From Skift Meetings: A growing wave of meeting cancellations signals trouble for the business events industry. Providence is one destination already feeling the impact. The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau in Rhode Island received its first business meeting cancellation on January 27. The conference, focused on renewable offshore wind energy, included 3,300 room nights…
From Boardroom: Glasgow has reinforced its position as a leader in purpose-driven conferences with the Glasgow Conference Impact Network (GCIN) marking a successful first year. Launched in partnership with the Glasgow Science Festival in March 2024, the initiative has created new collaboration among local stakeholders to ensure conferences leave a lasting legacy. Over the past…
A Reflection on the role of IBTM World in the supporting cast of Business Events: IBTM World has always been a crucial indicator of success within the Business Events Sector. The 2024 edition validated post-pandemic barometer with a notable 15% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers. The Significance of IBTM World Presenting a flagship global event…
The Meeting Room Podcast, by Northstar: What’s next for DEI now Trump is back in the White House? Will 2025 be the year AI comes of age? Who’s getting a budget increase and who’s missing out? Join Holly Patrick and James Lancaster as they discuss what 2025 has in store for event professionals.
From Skift Meetings: The National Institutes of Health, a linchpin of global biomedical research, has abruptly canceled its meetings, raising alarm across the medical meetings industry. As the new administration exerts its influence, planners grapple with uncertainty. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S.’s largest research agency, has canceled dozens of meetings under new…
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From Skift Meetings: Meeting professionals have been navigating a landscape where access, funding, and conference attendance are no longer guaranteed, said Pat Schaumann, president of Schaumann Consulting Group. Schaumann is also the director of Meeting Professional International’s Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate (HMCC) program. In 2025, the U.S. was expected to host over 1.5 million medical…
From AMI: The UK’s ambition to become a world-leading destination for international business events has been dealt a significant setback following a 41 per cent cut in funding to VisitBritain from the government’s GREAT programme. The announcement, made on 1 April, will see VisitBritain’s ‘GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland’ destination promotion programme budget cut from…
From Travel Weekly Asia: Singapore is looking confidently into the future with a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming the city-state into a world-class, innovation-driven tourism destination by 2040. Following a robust performance in 2024, with international visitor arrivals reaching 16.5 million and tourism receipts climbing to a record S$29.8 billion (US$22.4 billion), the Singapore Tourism…
From AMI: The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) have announced a new three-year Strategic Partnership, with joint research and white paper development at the heart of their collaboration. Under the agreement, both associations will co-author a white paper and share relevant industry research and studies with…
From AMI: In a major win for New Zealand’s rural health community, Wellington has been selected to host the 21st World Rural Health Conference (Rural WONCA) in 2026, bringing international attention to the urgent health needs of non-urban populations and the work being done to address them. Led by Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network, with…
In recent days, the executive order introducing new reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners has led to significant concern within the U.S. business and professional events industry. These tariffs will increase costs for business and professional event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees alike. They also send a signal to international exhibitors and attendees that the U.S….
From Skift Meetings: President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on dozens of nations, including a new 34% tariff on Chinese goods. Many countries have announced countermeasures, escalating trade tensions that could have significant ramifications for the global meetings sector. In response, the Live Events Coalition, originally formed during the Covid crisis but later put…
From The Economist: AS DONALD TRUMP unleashes a volley of tariffs and his administration talks up the strength of its military alliances in Asia, you might think that these are anxious times in the country that America sees as its main adversary. In fact, our reporting from Beijing reveals a very different picture. MAGA is…
From BBC: As the list of nations issuing travel warnings to the US grows, some visitors are opting to boycott it entirely. Here’s why many foreigners are changing their travel plans and what this could mean for Americans. As President Donald Trump implements sweeping new policies, issues tariffs on longtime allies and leads an immigration…
ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath met in Mexico City on 24 March with Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, and Mexican Council of the Meetings Industry (COMIR) leader Michel Wohlmuth. The meeting took place at the Secretaría de Turismo (SECTUR), the Mexican government department responsible for the promotion and development of tourism in the country….
In this video double-bill, AC Forum – the gold standard of associations in Europe – convened its annual Congress at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in January with impact and sustainability front and centre of the agenda. In partnership with the venue, Glasgow Convention Bureau, the entire Board of Directors, and local universities, the organisation…
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Attracting knowledge, investment, and talent to a destination as the 3 pillars of a Knowledge & Creative Economy requires an ability to attract -and convene – business and professional communities from all over the world. The City of Calgary, famed for its Stampede, has emerged as a round-the-clock meeting space for all manner of sectoral…
Between the 8-11th July last year, 1,100 of the world’s leading developmental neuroscientists convened at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, Scotland, for the International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS) to exchange research, education, and stories, but also to propagate future research and understanding of a child’s early learning from years 0-3. Immersive…
From Edinburgh International Conference Centre: The EICC was proud to host the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) 36th Conference, a landmark event that brought a global audience together to tackle HPV-related diseases. Through ongoing education and outreach, the committee is dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy on public health. Alongside the conference the Society created a…
A Gathering of Minds to Combat Dementia: Today, over 944,000 individuals in the UK suffer from dementia. By 2040, this number is projected to exceed 1.4 million, according to Dr. Sheona Scales, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, the foremost charity in the UK dedicated to revolutionising the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of Alzheimer’s…
The 15th ISHA Annual Scientific Meeting was the Society’s first meeting on the African continent, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 1), South Africa, from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 October 2023. At this meeting, world experts in hip preservation came together to share latest experiences and research with one another,…
From ICC Sydney: Following a bumper year of business events, the ICC Sydney team is proud to share our 2024 case studies, featuring diverse conferences, exhibitions, banquets, and entertainment events. It’s been a pleasure working with our clients to make a difference, by delivering extraordinary experiences that have entertained, educated and helped to drive change…
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From Boardroom: For decades, organisations operated on a simple premise: to generate profit. Yet in today’s fragmented world, where societal and environmental concerns weigh heavily on decision-making, financial performance alone no longer suffices. In response, BESydney has emerged as a leader in championing business events that prioritise long-term impact over short-term gain, turning meetings into…
From Destination Canada: In a world of uncertainty, tourism is one of Canada’s most stable and high-performing sectors, producing a total economic impact of $252 billion and driving growth in over 5,000 communities from coast to coast to coast. An independent report from Tourism Economics clearly demonstrates that the travel and tourism sector is a…
From Flanders Convention Bureau: The world of international association conferences has changed dramatically in recent years. From face-to-face to virtual during the pandemic, and now a growing shift towards hybrid formats – where do we go from here? Flanders Convention Bureau conducted research and published a paper which explores: The challenges and opportunities of hybrid…
IAPCO, in collaboration with IFES, AIPC, AMCI, and the IAPCO National PCO Association Task Force, invites you to participate in the Global Socio-Political Impact Survey. This survey is designed to gather valuable data from a global network of meetings and events professionals to better understand the short- and long-term impacts of recent global policy changes….
From AMI: The winds have shifted and optimism has decreased, as a majority of planners say their meetings have been impacted by the new presidential administration. In the latest Meetings Industry PULSE Survey, coproduced and sponsored by Cvent, planner sentiment is clearly shifting. Most planners are less optimistic than they were two months ago, and…
From Skift: Travel is more important than ever to household budgets, but it is not recession proof. As a result, Skift Research is revising down its outlook for global travel. The sweeping new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump have raised the risk of recession and the response from financial markets was swift, with a…
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From Skift Meetings, by Andrea Doyle: The Trump administration’s tariff policies are sending ripples through global trade, and in the process, they are impacting the global trade show business, said Kai Hattendorf, CEO of HTF Business Events Expertise, and the former CEO of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. “If permanent, this isn’t…
By Colja Dams, CEO & Owner, VOK DAMS: We’re seeing a shift: global events are now moving to Europe and Asia that were once headed to the U.S. World Dealer Conferences, Product Launches, Leadership Meetings – many of these gatherings are being relocated. Bringing together guests from around the world in the U.S.? For now,…
By Jorge Eduardo Q: In today’s 24/7 news cycle and hyper-connected feeds, event leaders are bombarded by headlines, hot takes, and trending crises every minute. Economic shifts, health emergencies, political strife, and algorithmic sensationalism form a loud backdrop that challenges clarity. Within this noise, strategic discernment becomes not just an asset, but a necessity for…
by Pádraic Gilligan, co-founder, SoolNua: As 2025 unfolds, it’s increasingly difficult to pin down exactly how incentive travel professionals feel about the short- to medium-term outlook for our industry. One thing is clear: sentiment has shifted since 2024. The Incentive Travel Index, released in November 2024, painted a nuanced picture—continued growth in the use and…
From Boardroom, by Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA: It goes without saying that “wellness” goes beyond the basic idea of eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity that contributes to cardiovascular health. There’s no shortage of viral videos and social media clickbait encouraging viewers to try the latest powder, pill, detox,…
By Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange: Costs are rising. Expectations are not. That gap is one of the biggest risks event professionals face today, and it is not going away anytime soon. This is the third article in my series on the key risks facing the events industry in 2025 and how we,…
The new UFI chief executive, Chris Skeith OBE, shares his vision and mission for the global association of the international exhibitions sector. With an immediate focus on advocacy, talent acquisition, and sustainability, Skeith is on a mission to accumulate the data and storytelling that are crucially important in realising these three pillars during his tenure….
Well, if you’ve travelled through a record-breaking extratropical cyclone to get to the BestCities global craic in Dublin, hosted by Convention Bureau chief Sam Johnston, why wouldn’t you?! The 2025 edition of the BestCities Global Forum in the Irish capital did indeed feature both pubs and the greatest of craics, amid which the Director at…
By Kai Hattendorf: Good food for thought from Simon Anholt on public perception of countries this week at BI Norwegian Business School – and how countries can work to improve their global standing. For me, these points stood out from his data: Overall, the trend in global perception of countries has been positive between 2008…
By Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange: Attendance is not just a number. It reflects engagement, impact, and return on investment. And today, it is at risk. Last week, I published the first of four articles inspired by my recent LinkedIn post, which went viral. In that post, I highlighted several significant risks facing…
From Boardroom: As medical associations seek to ensure long-term engagement and professional development, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has successfully redefined young professional involvement. At the EANM’24 congress in Hamburg (October 2024), a series of targeted initiatives helped bridge the gap between early-career professionals and the broader nuclear medicine community, providing structured opportunities…
From Skift Meetings: As policy shifts create challenges for business events, Nicola Kastner, CEO of the Event Leaders Exchange, has voiced her concerns on LinkedIn. The industry response she has received highlights the need for advocacy to protect in-person gatherings. In a post on LinkedIn, Nicola Kastner, CEO of the Event Leaders Exchange (ELX), warns…
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The UFI Food & Beverage Experience aims to equip exhibition professionals with the food and beverage trends and innovative catering solutions for delivering exceptional client experiences. As the industry faces increasing pressure to meet evolving client expectations, this will serve as a vital source of inspiration and practical insights. By fostering connections between catering partners,…
At IMEX you can enjoy expert education, explore the latest event trends and experience your most productive days of the year. Whether you’re an events newbie or a pro (or anything in between), IMEX is exactly where you need to be. Discover 200 free education sessions at IMEX Frankfurt. More information coming soon in 2025.
The third edition of ETOA and City Destinations Alliance’s B2B workshop, Destinations Exchange Europe, will take place in London on June 2-3, 2025. This B2B event offers a dynamic blend of commercially driven meetings, insightful knowledge sessions, and valuable opportunities to discuss product development and operational challenges. 28 pre-scheduled B2B business meeting slots to meet…
Our lineup is all about igniting ideas, creating breakthroughs, and shaping the future of the meetings, events and incentives world, so come and share your game-changing ideas and insights with our global audience of corporate, agency and association planners. With C-suite executives through to those just beginning their event professional journey, and your expertise will…
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
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TMS APAC is the ultimate business platform for MICE professionals, featuring global destinations, venues, hotels, and other key MICE suppliers. Powered by an exclusive Hosted Buyer Programme, the event brings senior decision-makers in meetings, conventions, events, and incentives to a dynamic tradeshow floor. With a seamless pre-scheduled meetings platform, attendees can connect directly with top…
Destination West enables attendees to experience firsthand the most desirable destinations, hotels and activities for successful meetings, while making invaluable business connections. This unique event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands—Successful Meetings, Meetings & Conventions, and Incentive magazine. Learn from, and be inspired by, our guest speakers who will provide targeted education specific…
Registration is OPEN for the 2025 UFI MEA Conference! Join us for the most important gathering of exhibition industry leaders in the MEA region, hosted by the EECA Authority at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center. Egypt offers substantial business opportunities in the exhibition industry, positioning itself as a regional hub for trade and…
Immerse yourself in an inspiring environment surrounded by passionate professionals who share your same challenges and goals; boosting economic development and knowledge transfer. Build connections in emerging and non-emerging sectors, expand your network of contacts in a multi-sector way. Go beyond traditional connections and immerse yourself in a universe of business relationships.
This interactive session is designed for CVB professionals to exchange ideas, share best practices, and engage in peer-led discussions on key industry topics such as: AI & Innovation; Staffing & Funding Challenges; Sustainability & Risk-Sharing; Destination Legacy & Success; And more, as topics are determined on participants’ suggestions! After the discussions, we’ll continue with a…
IMEX is where every part of the global events industry comes for a high-value, high-return boost of real business, real relationships and insights, all designed to make working life easier and more profitable. Keep up with the latest events industry trends, polish your professional skills and stay ahead. By attending as many of our 150…
ECA’s 2025 Legislative Action Day will bring leaders and advocates from across the business and professional events industry to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to meet with their elected officials in support of ECA’s top public policy priorities. “From tax reform to workforce development, 2025 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for…
Small & Boutique Meetings — Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings — bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs and other suppliers ready to welcome smaller events. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group.
The UFI European Events Week is where around 300 exhibition industry leaders from Europe and beyond meet, network and learn together for 5 days every summer. We have evolved the UFI European Conference and associated events to become the UFI European Events Week, including the main European Conference, and additional topical content and networking opportunities.
4 key messages highlight how exhibitions unlock potential for industries, individuals, communities, and companies: Exhibitions drive collaboration and innovation to transform businesses and industries; Exhibitions enable new, emerging and established talent to grow and succeed; Exhibitions power economic development and societal progress for countries and communities; Exhibitions amplify reach, build brands, foster connections and drive…
Our one-and-a-half-day event provides you with a unique opportunity to meet and network with European colleagues managing city cards schemes; to share knowledge and insights to stay ahead of the latest market trends & anticipate customers’ needs; and to grow your business in a sustainable way as well as strengthen your professional expertise. The participants’…
Incentive Live offers a compelling agenda that makes this event a must-attend for industry professionals. In addition to one-on-one appointments with top incentive destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, merchandise and technology providers, gift cards, and tourism offices, Incentive Live presents leading industry experts providing the latest perspective on industry trends and best practices that…
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A passionate and dedicated leader, Carina Bauer is the CEO of the IMEX Group – an organisation responsible for organising the leading global trade shows for the international business events industry. Carina is passionate about the business events sector and its impact on the world, taking a particular interest in issues around sustainability, diversity and…
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Chris Skeith has served in the exhibition industry for over 30 years, and is Managing Director & CEO of UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, which represents over 900 organisations in over 90 countries who build, maintain, and support the world’s market places: trade show organisers, venue owners and operators, service providers, and…
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Amelia is a pioneer of BESarawak with over 21 years of branding, marketing and PR experience whose career in the sector began as a sales coordinator. Within 12 years, she helms the organisation as a CEO. Coming from the indigenous Bidayuh tribe of Sarawak, she is passionate about developing her homeland and providing opportunities for…
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Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a newly-formed association dedicated to the recovery and advancement of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the…
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Geneviève is a Canadian industry professional based in Montreal. She has 26 years of experience in congress management and consultancy services for national and international associations and has managed international events in over 20 countries. Geneviève has been active at elevating the industry’s capacity in sustainability and value creation since 2006, when she was an…
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Nigel started his career at the head office of the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) in Amsterdam. He was part of the event organizing team of the association and served 7 years organizing a host of events on all continents. During his tenure he gained extensive project management skills and was responsible for implementing…
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Barbara Jamison Heads up the European Business Team at London & Partners (London Convention Bureau), the Mayor’s official promotional agency for London. Barbara’s experience in the industry has covered every aspect of tourism in Global markets… youth and educational tourism, tour operating, Destination and Event Management, Major Events including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic…
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After four years of study at the Ecole Hôtelière (Hotel School) in Lausanne (Switzerland), it was quite natural that his career should be oriented toward this sector. From 1998 to 2009, he worked with Martins Hotels, overseeing the development, management, and acquisition of hotels. His diverse expertise spans business management, hotel development, marketing, and team…
Jane loves life in the Nordics and the spirit of Scotland. Her expertise is based on 20 years of experience across the global meetings industry. Over this time she has been fortunate to have gained wonderful experience and friends from working for some great hotels, a convention centre, a destination marketing organisation, a PCO, and…
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Senthil Gopinath has over 20 years’ experience in the meetings, association and leisure industry. He has held a wide range of positions, including CEO of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, and Vice President of Kuoni. In 2006 Senthil moved to Dubai to work for Congress Solutions International, the Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) arm of Emirates Group….
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Lesley joined BestCities in 2017 as Market Development Director, and was Managing Director from January 2020 to July 2023, following the decision of BestCities to award extending the management contract to GainingEdge. Lesley is a strong supporter and advocate of the beyond tourism impacts of meetings. In 2017 BestCities formed a collaboration with ICCA to…
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Sven joined AIPC as CEO in May 2020. Together with the Board, the Members and the Business Partners he will be spearheading a transformation programme which will result into an entirely new value proposal to Convention and Exhibition Centres across the globe based on the changing needs of the members and the challenges they are…
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