PRESENTS
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Iceberg partner European Cities Marketing has just staged its International Conference and General Assembly in Hamburg, rebranding during the event as the City Destinations Alliance. Visit Flanders and #Meet4impact presented a legacy collaboration there, and the latter’s Geneviève Leclerc now explains how the SDGs make a great framework around which to anchor the legacy of association meetings….
Glasgow, home of the famous Glasgow Botanic Gardens, will welcome over 2,000 soil scientists this summer for the quadrennial World Congress of Soil Science. Over the past twelve months, the city’s convention bureau secured 71 new conferences, expected to bring about 36,000 delegates to Glasgow and add £53 million to its coffers. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
A major conference on how people with cognitive, linguistic and physical impairments interact will be held soon in Newcastle, UK. The Atypical Interaction Conference, to be staged at Newcastle University, runs every three years and is attended by experts on dementia, autism, aphasia, schizophrenia, visual and speech impairments among others. From AMI Intellectual Capitals…
Iceberg partner European Cities Marketing has just staged its International Conference and General Assembly in Hamburg, rebranding during the event as the City Destinations Alliance. The meeting formulated policy on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, also making a video of solidarity, and held a remarkable session hearing from two industry colleagues based in Lviv, Ukraine. Russia’s…
IMEX in Frankfurt will finally open its 20th anniversary edition to the meetings industry on May 31st. In a multi-video preview of the Iceberg partner show, Natasha Richards of IMEX looks at the high-level IMEX Policy Forum 2022, plus Martin Sirk of Sirk Serendipity discusses multiple issues facing associations after the COVID-19 pandemic. IMEX Policy…
During its recent Brain Awareness Week, Glasgow Convention Bureau took time to acknowledge its Conference Ambassadors, academics working to attract academic meetings to the city. Over 70 percent of Glasgow events are led or supported by the city’s academic institutions, and in 2022 many are in the field of neurology. From Glasgow Convention Bureau…
Iceberg partner Copenhagen Legacy Lab has just improved its methodology for planners, deepening the strategic approach. One past event that approached CLL with a clear legacy vision was Electric City 2021, WindEurope’s flagship meeting held in collaboration with WindDenmark. This was staged during November 2021 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen. From Boardroom…
Business Events Sarawak in Malaysia has launched the country’s first planning framework for organisers to create legacy-driven events that leave behind real change. Dubbed the Business Events Sarawak Legacy Initiative, this step by step guide designed to help groups reach their big-picture goals is separating the destination from others around the globe. From Boardroom…
The recent BestCities Global Forum explored how legacy-building with every conference can quickly lead to dramatic change. A trio of videos from the Iceberg partner event examines the ESTRO Madrid Project which yielded a €700 million legacy for cancer patients, the new Madrid PLUS tool for creating legacy, and the personal legacy of BestCities’ Jane Cunningham….
Dubai is growing its knowledge-based, diversified economy almost as quickly as it grows its skyline. Aiding this ambition is Expo Dubai 2020, an “accelerator and amplifier” in attracting associations and their meetings. When organisers first won the bid, they created two masterplans, one for Expo itself and one for its legacy. From Association Meetings International…
The Net Zero Carbon Events pledge from the Joint Meetings Industry Council, which presents The Iceberg, has just been delivered at COP26. At the 60th Congress of our partner ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association), The Iceberg spoke to Aileen Crawford of the Glasgow Convention Bureau and to Guy Bigwood of the Global Destination Sustainability Movement. Speaking…
The Net Zero Carbon Events pledge from the Joint Meetings Industry Council, which presents The Iceberg, has just been delivered at COP26. Iceberg founder James Latham talks to former JMIC President Kai Hattendorf and Miguel Naranjo and Laura Lopez of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change about what it means for the sector….
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The first IMEX in Frankfurt since 2019 was marked by an outrush of camaraderie, celebration, and most importantly, business. The Iceberg partner CEO Carina Bauer hailed a succcessful show and said that the future looks bright for the industry, while also acknowledging that the current business climate is rather challenging. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The seventh edition of GED (Global Exhibitions Day) on 1st June 2022 celebrated the manner exhibitions and face-to-face business events drive the global economy. GED this year focused on facilitating growth and recovery, and was marked by the Messe Frankfurt team during IMEX (pictured), amongst many others. From Exhibition World…
Over 175 congresses, trade shows and other events are taking place at Messe Frankfurt before the close of the year as venue chiefs hail a return to pre-pandemic numbers. Meeting restrictions were lifted at the start of April. In May alone, some 35 events hosting 110,000 people took place. From Association Meetings International…
Prague is better than any other city at engaging with its locally-based association leaders to secure big meetings and conventions, says a new report. The Czech Republic’s capital has a 95 percent “harnessing ratio”, according to the Leveraging Intellectual Capital second edition just compiled by Iceberg partner GainingEdge. From Association Meetings International…
Peter King, the Chief Executive of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, has announced he is to leave the role after eleven years. In 2018 King led the AU$205 million expansion of MCEC, and in recent years he helped the venue become a global leader in business event sustainability. From Meetings International…
Following a comprehensive remodelling and modernisation which began in 2017, the Congress Center Hamburg has fully reopened for business. Thee new CCH is now one of Europe’s largest convention centres with 36,000 square metres of available space, which includes fifty multifunctional halls spread across four levels for conventions and events. From Association Meetings International…
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced that the city-state is to join Iceberg partner GDS-Index (Global Destination Sustainability Index). As a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council since 2021, the city supports sustainable practices in large venues such as Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands. From Boardroom…
New GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) research has collected industry and external stakeholder insights to benchmark perceptions, priorities and actionable opportunity for more sustainable business travel. Barriers to making business travel more sustainable include higher costs, limited data, and lack of access to information. From Meetings International…
Two-thirds of venues say they will recover to 2019 revenue levels in either 2022 or 2023. So reports international venue association IACC’s annual Meeting Room of the Future Barometer 2022. Predictions did differ by country, with Denmark projected to surpass 2019 by 2022 but the Americas by 2024. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The German capital has launched initiatives to help the recovery of business events, conferences and trade shows. The city’s Relaunch Programme will include marketing campaigns, a MICE Acquisition Task Force, international customer event BESTIVAL 2022 and the extension of the Berlin Congress Fund, as well as other plans over two years. From Association Meetings International…
Venue ICC Belfast has hosted the Microbiology Society Conference, an event anticipated to kickstart its target of generating a £125 million economic impact for the province. The conference is the first of three international events being held at ICC Belfast this year, estimated to together deliver £5 million impact. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Tourism and convention bureau Destination Vancouver has teamed up with local Capilano University to research the legacy of international conferences held in the city. A team of researchers will study five events held in Vancouver later this year and deliver findings to local stakeholders and to Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance. From Association Meetings International…
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This project collected, analysed and synthesised the findings of all prior Joint Meetings Industry Council Case Studies to deliver a verdict on the broader contributions that conferences, congresses, trade shows, convention centres and bureaux deliver to destinations, communities, industries and economies. The cases were drawn from four continents: Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. The…
The China-LAC Summit is an annual meeting organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is a key entrepreneurial event for companies from China and the Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Punta del Este Convention and Exhibition Center in Uruguay hosted the 11th edition of the…
The EuroHeartCare conference is one of the most important platforms for driving research publications, exchanging ideas, and forming and deepening collaborations within the field of cardiovascular nursing in Europe. It aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering the best care possible to patients with cardiovascular disease. The 2017 edition was hosted by Jönköping University in…
The study explores the benefits and barriers for individual researchers and universities when hosting research conferences. The study has been commissioned by the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy – an advisory body to the Danish Minister of Higher Education and Science. Thereby the study situates the hosting of research conferences as a potential…
London Tech Week is a festival of live events taking place once a year across the United Kingdom capital. Having been held now for four years, it has become a key gathering for the ICT industry in London. It connects the entire tech ecosystem both within the city and beyond, shapes the future of the…
Many international convention centres use sophisticated methods to measure the economic impact of business events in their host cities. Others recognise the importance of food in customer experience and promote programs like paddock to plate or food miles. ICC Sydney marries these two concepts together and takes them to a new level by measuring the…
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Global convention sector consulting firm GainingEdge has launched its second annual report on leveraging the intellectual capital of convention destinations, based on an analysis of international association leadership. The research underpinning the Iceberg partner’s report identifies the relative strengths of 350 destinations via the presence of their local intellectual leaders in the governing bodies of international associations that…
Legacy after a conference is an organic concept that grows over the years. The Daegu Metropolitan City and Daegu Convention and Visitors Bureau have released a report on legacies from five business events, under the title Business Events Legacy in Daegu, Korea. The study starts from the International Solar Cities Congress 2004 (ISCC 2004), which…
Welcome to the 28th edition of the UFI Global Exhibition Barometer survey. This study is based on a global survey conducted in January 2022. It represents up-to-date information on the status and outlook of the global exhibition industry, as well as on 29 specific markets. UFI launched the barometer on the back of a global…
Two years into the global COVID pandemic, with much of the world’s population vaccinated against the disease, policymakers around the world are faced with the challenge of stimulating and managing their societies and economies. As COVID-related restrictions are rolled back and lifted, policy priorities are shifting. Business events will be a key driver of this…
The Hotel Management School Maastricht (HMSM) was appointed by IACC to research the impact that having a decentralised workforce may have on demand for external business events, specifically after COVID-19. With the rise of remote work in recent years, employees were forced to exchange meeting in person for virtual interaction. The research findings have been…
It is essential to rethink the relationship between meetings and events and climate change, according to BCD Meetings and Events. BCD M&E’s new sustainability report focuses on the impact the meeting, events and corporate travel industries have on the environment, and continues the discussion of how we move towards a more sustainable future together. The…
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Daegu in South Korea hosted the 2013 World Energy Congress, often referred to as the “Energy Olympics”. The meeting built upon long-term city strategy in solar power and upon staging earlier events in the sector. It went on to create multiple legacies to shape Daegu’s future. By Jane Vong Holmes, Senior Manager Asia, GainingEdge. Two…
There is no denying events have changed because of the pandemic, as have the wants and needs of both organisers and attendees within the healthcare space. So, what are the key changes, and the trends we are seeing in terms of the way that the industry approaches them? From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The problem is familiar and has been escalating rapidly over the decades. Global food produce is not enough to cover the needs of our planet’s ever-growing population. The issue will be discussed in depth at Quebec City, Canada, throughout the fourth edition of the International Insects to Feed the World conference. From Boardroom…
There is a huge disconnect between “sustainability” and what it will take for real change. Generation Z is passionate about reversing the climate crisis through individual means. This shift of mindset was also the topic of a past report for business events, The Regenerative Revolution, published by Iceberg partner IMEX Group and Marriott International. From PCMA…
After first postponing the event due to COVID-19, World Environmental Education Congress organisers then had no time to plan any community service project for the Ukrainian refugees suddenly housed in the Prague Congress Centre alongside them during their delayed meeting. But participants even so found ways to demonstrate their support. From PCMA…
In the heat of the pandemic, meeting tech evangelists were hailing the switch to virtual as a transformational moment, rather than a practical necessity. It was always odds on that most would return to meeting in person once the worst was over. So, is the new normal the same old normal? From Association Meetings International…
An unexpected artistic legacy now hangs in Salt Palace Convention Center, Utah. Monumental Mattie, by Chad Farnes, portrays Martha Hughes Cannon, a local physician and suffragist who became the first female state senator in America in 1896. The mosaic is made of carpet samples donated from a flooring trade show. From PCMA…
The European Association Summit has convened its first face-to-face meeting since 2020, gathering many Brussels-based associations for the tenth EAS edition. More than eighty association professionals attended either on site at The Egg venue in the south of Brussels or online for three days of education, networking and reconnecting. From Association Meetings International…
Iceberg partner IMEX has now been championing sustainable exhibitions for over two decades. With its two huge global events generating zero waste and powered by renewable energy, the Group has just set its sights on zero carbon. CEO Carina Bauer explains how exhibitions need to become much more sustainable in order to survive. From Exhibition News…
Fresh off the back of taking her first incentive trip since the start of the pandemic, agency Eventful’s Head of Incentives Holly Mills shares the changes she has witnessed in the industry and the trends that are going to shape the future of the category, including replacing that word “incentive”. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
In the film world, “slap” once meant make–up, slapstick comedy, or the slap of a clapperboard synchronising picture and sound. But for meeting planners, a rather different slapping incident at the 2022 Oscars reveals the need to have a full emergency response plan and code of conduct in place. From Associations Now…
Meeting organisers will often make blanket assumptions about which accessibility services participants, including speakers, will need. A very common wrong assumption is that all deaf people know sign language, then failing as well to understand how COVID mask-wearing affects event participation for delegates who lip-read. From PCMA…
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The Certified Destination Management Executive (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.
In December 2020, IAPCO and AIPC presented a research paper on hybrid events, with insights and lessons learned from key players in the events value chain – from organizers to suppliers. Where are we eight months later? Switch on your avatar and join the group to find out. Introduction by Camilla Boesen, Founding Partner at…
IBTM Americas offers a multitude of thought-provoking educational sessions and career development, tailored to various types of event organizers. Our knowledge platform offers a lively and interactive experience for all participants. IBTM Americas is the connection bridge for the professional community of meetings and events industry across the Americas.
The ECM Summer School provides great insights into the structure and functioning of the Meetings Industry. Our programme, filled with up-to-date and cutting edge examples of European best practice, lays out a comprehensive framework for you to build your expertise in one of the tourism industry’s most lucrative sector. It is perfect for those just…
Gain insights and inspiration for your next event from our leading sector experts delivering the latest industry updates. Hear from thought leaders within and outside of the industry, as they share dynamic case studies to bring discussions to life and provide tangible solutions for you to take away and implement.
The 17th TourMIS Users’ Workshop and International Seminar is organised by European Cities Marketing, the European Travel Commission, MODUL University Vienna & UNWTO and is aimed at city, regional, national, and international tourism organizations, as well as universities and companies from the hospitality and tourism industry. It is directed toward managers, academics, as well as consultants and representatives of governments…
Work alongside industry peers and grow your global network; continue to stay on top of market trends and developments in the exhibition industry. The programme will cover a wide range of relevant industry topics; set to two hours per topic, the online UFI-EMS will allow you to take part in the training in addition to…
The Roundtables are short and informal meetings, starting with a short introduction by an expert by the topic and followed by an exchange of knowledge and lessons learned between colleagues. Have customer requirements really changed or are we back in 2019? And if they have changed, what is the impact? Best way to find out:…
Join us for a live debate with 4 CEO’s of convention centers from across the globe, sharing their views on the business landscape. The debate will be followed by a Q&A.
This year’s theme is “New Business, New Tech, New World” and has been expertly designed to provide all IBTM World attendees with the insights and knowledge you need to recovery and grow in 2022 and beyond. The sessions will be delivered by expert speakers from the United Nations Climate Change, LinkedIn, CrowdComms, VisitScotland, BBC Creative…
ICCASkills delivers the only globally recognised accreditation for suppliers in every sector of the meetings industry. From juniors to executives, ICCASkills benefits meetings services professionals at any stage of their career. The two different certification tracks offer tailored learning paths and advanced course content. All instructors are industry experts with proven teaching abilities and international…
The Professional in Destination Management (PDM) certificate program provides those new to the destination organization side of the industry (less than one year of experience) with cutting-edge education, offering entry-level personnel the critical skills and knowledge necessary to start their careers in the travel and tourism industry. The updated PDM certificate program is now online, available…
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In today’s challenging environment, AIPC is committed to bringing our community and the greater meetings industry together to share experiences and insights; and discuss ways to shape the future of centre management business for a post-Covid world. This year’s AIPC Annual Conference will take place in Budapest, Hungary. More info coming soon…
This event is part of an exciting and new collaborative initiative between ICCA and AC Forum, Europe’s only networking platform established exclusively for and by associations. The collaboration includes a series of signature events taking place over a three-year period, with a specific focus on the healthcare sector. Meet and share experience with executives representing healthcare…
Destinations International’s Annual Convention provides an opportunity to connect peers and thought leaders from inside and outside the industry; an integrated approach to learning regardless of your budget size or discipline focus; relationship-based exchanges among industry providers and destination organizations; diversity of thought by assembling the best minds in local insight and global expertise.
This annual event is for CEOs, owners/managers, and first-line executives to discuss strategic issues as they relate to specific industry challenges. Held in an urban environment, the Summer Conference is complete with exceptional networking opportunities at multiple levels while the content delves into specific case histories and examples. The Summer Conference sets the standard for top-level…
IBTM Americas is the connection bridge for the professional community of meetings and events industry across the Americas. Our purpose is clear: DO BUSINESS, NETWORKING, ENGAGE AND INSPIRING through a 365-DAY BUSINESS PLATFORM with digital and face-to-face initiatives.
This newly launched initiative will bring together global association executives and meeting suppliers in a collaborative setting to explore innovative meeting design with a focus on regeneration and legacy impact. Aimed at association executives and ICCA members globally with an interest in the future outlook for association meetings and creating meaningful and sustainable meetings together,…
Beyond a trade show, we offer brilliant speakers, fresh ideas and continuous inspiration at 180-plus educational and networking events over four days. Meet 4,200-plus global decision makers with real buying power in one of the biggest meetings markets in the world; 3,500-plus exhibitors from 155 countries; countless opportunities to connect – from the glamour of…
Destination organizations are destined to continuously face periodic political attacks, unstable budget resources and potential failure unless they turn and focus on their ultimate customers – their residents. We believe that destination organizations must become a community shared value in order for the industry to move forward. It is time to stop being in a defensive…
The 61st ICCA Congress on will take our members to a city in the heart of Europe that is also a center of international culture, art, and science. Kraków, Poland is a place to explore centuries of history alongside jewels of modern architecture. Each year the easily accessible city welcomes many important cultural and academic events, as…
(Open to UFI members only.) UFI’s annual Global Congress is known as the exhibition industry’s largest global meeting of the year, combining international networking with unique content. It is an ideal opportunity for members to gain insight into topics of strategic interest, on the current industry trends and challenges that the exhibition industry is currently…
IBTM World is the leading global event for the meetings and events industry and we have one goal; we want to inspire you, as part of the events world, and help you achieve better business results. Join us at IBTM World and discover all the inspiration, business connections and content you need to create world-class…
The Global Forum is the ideal opportunity for decision-makers considering hosting an event in a BestCities’ destination, to meet all the partner cities and meeting planners in one stunning location. Participating associations will return home with a tangible tool to use in the formation of future strategies for their associations. The tool can after Global…
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Aileen has worked in the meetings industry for over 20 years, initially in venue sales for Glasgow Museums, then in a variety of roles within the Conventions team at the Tourist Board, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and is currently the Head of Tourism and Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Glasgow Life. The Glasgow Convention Bureau…
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At MCEC, we’re passionate about creating inspirational environments. We do this by delivering a personalised service and partnering with our customers to offer ideas, insights and imaginative solutions. We tailor every experience because we realise it’s the little details that make all the difference. Our people are at the heart of who we are and…
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Managing Director and owner of SFA Connect (trading name for Sarah Fleming Associates Ltd), Sarah has over 25 years’ experience in the Meetings Industry. She was a board director of a leading UK PCO for ten years where she handled numerous large, high-profile events all over the world. Through this work she gained an in-depth…
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As Chief Advocacy Officer, Jack Johnson manages the overall public policy operations at Destinations International including member advocacy education and training, development of destination tools and best practices, coalition work with peer organizations, industry research and related public affairs activities. He also oversees the board governance, the Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) and the DestinationNEXT…
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Having lived and worked in Asia, Africa and Europe before moving to Canada in 2010, Virginie is the Senior Director of Business Development – Economic Sectors for Destination Canada Business Events (DCBE), Virginie is responsible for leading the development and implementation of DCBE’s global economic sector strategy and team to increase overnight visitations to Canada…
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David is CEO & Partner of ExpoDevCo, producing trade shows and conferences across North America. Previously, David was: CEO of Clarion Events North America; CEO of Messe Frankfurt NA; COO of ConvExx (producer of the SEMA Show); and held senior positions at Advanstar, Hanley Wood, Miller Freeman and the Texas Restaurant Association. In January 2016,…
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Heike Mahmoud has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CCH – Congress Center Hamburg since March 1st, 2018. As COO and a fully authorized officer, the business administration professional is also a member of the Executive Board of Hamburg Messe und Congress. The new CCH will be re-open in spring 2022. Heike Mahmoud, who has…
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Robin has over 25 years’ experience of the events industry with the last 20 focussed on the convention sector. His career in business events has led him from the SECC in Glasgow to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), where he has spent the last seven years diversifying and growing the venue’s conference and…
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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Born in Toronto, Canada, Greg has divided his life between living in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. With now more than 20 years in the hospitality industry Greg has spent time in Management of a high end independent mountain resort property (The Rimrock Resort), Hyatt Hotels and the Intercontinental group before moving over to convention centers….
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Flavie Baudot has more than 15 years’ experience in the Tourism and Meetings Industry. She began her career with diverse experiences in customer relations in the insurance and hospitality sectors and then decided to specialise in tourism, mixing her avid passion for international relations, people and cultures. Having graduated in Tourism Management and Culture in…
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Joining IBTM in September 2018, David came with 14 years’ experience in the events industry, producing award-winning events for the likes of Haymarket Exhibitions, BBC, Informa, Daily Mail Group and Clarion Events. Having previously organised exhibitions and conferences across Europe, the Middle East and the US, he brought with him an international perspective. With an…
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