Features

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PCMA EMEA Prepares for Barcelona Double-Bill

PCMA’s flagship event for the EMEA region, Convening EMEA, rolls into Barcelona 30th September – 2nd October with Trust, Strategy, and Future the three key thematic pillars to the event. Jaimé Bennett, PCMA’s charismatic managing director for the 117 countries represented, explains how a Programme Architecture will allow for intentional and personalised experiences in order…

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Future Ready: ISTH 2024 Congress, Bangkok

From AMI: In an age of social media, open-source publishing, rising travel costs and heightened concerns around sustainability, it is a brave association that chooses to increase the frequency of its flagship congress. But that’s the decision leaders of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) took in 2019, when they resolved to turn…

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Building Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Cities

From BestCities: In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity across the planet. At its heart are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) urging all countries to implement strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality, spur economic growth, and tackle climate…

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Strategic Approaches for Association Lobbying & Advocacy

From Boardroom: In an era marked by geopolitical shifts and rapidly evolving policy environments, associations are under more pressure than ever to adapt their lobbying and advocacy strategies. The challenges and opportunities are multidimensional, requiring a clear understanding of both local and global dynamics. Yiannis Liaros, Public & Social Affairs Director at Addcase, spoke to…

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The Power of MICE: Boosting Local Communities

By Gili Back, Corporate Team Building Facilitator & Sustainable Events Manager at TEAM SPIRIT THAILAND: The MICE industry holds immense potential to drive positive change in local communities. When done right, MICE events (and student group travel programs) foster economic growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. Here’s why focusing on responsible and sustainable practices in…

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VIDEO DOUBLE-BILL: Industry Sends Clear Policy Message Pre-Elections

Transatlantic advocacy of Business Events reached new highs as the leading industry organisations, including Iceberg Partners & Ambassadors, advanced policy engagement in the political hubs of Washington DC and Brussels ahead of elections. Better still – the message is proving coherent, and consistent. From April 8-11, the Business Events Industry Week (BEIW) held in Washington…

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Wellington NZ: The Intellectual Capital

The increasing trend of association meeting planners aligning destination selection to the intellectual capital of a city, or destination, is reflected in the trilogy of video reports recently shared by The Iceberg’s association media partners at AMI Magazine. Here we share all 3 reports, revealing New Zealand’s capital city expertise in Science, Climate Innovation, and…

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Exhibitions Contributed £10.9bn to UK Economy in 2023

From M&IT: The exhibitions industry helped to boost the UK economy by £10.9 billion in 2023, according to a new economic report by the Events Industry Alliance (EIA). A total of 1,016 exhibitions in the UK in 2023 involved approximately 6.9 million visitors and 131,000 exhibitors. This generated £4.8bn of direct spending, which works out…

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‘It’s a Game Changer’: Calgary’s Expanded BMO Centre Opens

From Global News: In design stages for a decade before another four years of construction, the much-anticipated grand opening of Calgary’s latest showpiece has finally arrived with the unveiling of the newly expanded BMO Centre. There’s one emotion in particular that comes to mind for Kate Thompson, president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land…

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How to Organise Impact Conscious Conferences in Wellington

From Boardroom: New Zealand is well known for its spectacular scenery but, increasingly, the country is gaining a formidable reputation as an intellectual powerhouse and enticing international event organisers. At the centre of this perception shift is the country’s capital, Wellington, which is attracting associations from across the globe looking to leverage New Zealand’s focus…

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Destination Canada to Unveil Case Study #1 at IMEX

The largest ever Legacy & Impact Study of Business Events, announced by Destination Canada last year, is set to unveil its first video-rich edition to the Press at IMEX in Frankfurt. The 3-Year, 16-event study of events held in Canada between 2018-2024 will deliver insights and data which ultimately may provide a framework for extended…

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News

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Inside The Plastics Show’s Record Growth

From PCMA: Everyone I know who has designed and delivered a successful event truly deserves a gold medal — it’s hard work that often goes largely unseen. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the making of NPE2024: The Plastics Show, that casts a light on the efforts and initiatives that contributed to the event being the…

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Ascential Agrees to Sell to Informa for £1.2bn

From Exhibition News: Informa has had a £1.2bn offer to buy the owner of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Money20/20 accepted by Ascential’s shareholders. The offer of 568 pence in cash per share represents a 53% premium to Ascential’s closing share price of 371 pence on Monday, the day before the ‘unsolicited’…

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DI Launches Initiatives and Recognises Industry Achievements

From Conference & Meetings World: Destinations International (DI), the premier association representing destination organisations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), has recently unveiled several initiatives and recognised outstanding industry achievements at its 2024 Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida. These initiatives and recognitions underscore DI’s commitment to accessibility, advocacy, professional development and industry excellence within the…

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‘Tourists Go Home’: Barcelona’s Protests Against Overtourism

From Skift: Thousands of protestors marched in Barcelona over the weekend against overtourism. Nearly 3,000 people took to the street on Saturday. More than 140 organizations, including neighborhood associations, ecologists and housing activists marched under the slogans, “Enough, let’s put limits on tourism” and “Tourists go home,” reported Catalan News. Some protestors sprayed tourists sitting…

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Maritz Acquires Convention Data Services from Freeman

From Skift Meetings: Maritz has acquired Convention Data Services (CDS), a registration, on-site and lead management company from global events company Freeman. The two companies have been competitors, but now Martiz will integrate CDS’ roughly 200 employees. This process will take anywhere from 12 to 36 months, according to Maritz CEO David Peckinpaugh. Maritz will…

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What Does a New Labour Government Mean for the Events Industry?

From Exhibition News: With the results now in, the Labour Party has emerged victorious as the new governing party of the United Kingdom, with Kier Starmer leading his party to a resounding landslide victory. This political shift will – hopefully – usher in a new era of optimism and ambition, not just for the nation…

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Industry’s Biggest Roadblocks to be Tackled at IMEX America

From IMEX: With just over three months to go, registration is now open for the next edition of IMEX America, the award-winning and largest trade show in North America for the global business events industry. Feedback following a strong edition of IMEX Frankfurt in May shows that recent technology and customer journey improvements measurably increased…

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LATAM Market is Claiming its Place Within the Global Meetings Arena

From Talley Management Group: Over the past several years, Panama has established itself as a key hub for the LATAM region, expanding the airlift services of its national carrier, COPA Airlines, and heavily investing in its infrastructure and capacity. Notable developments include the City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber), a government-sponsored cluster of academic organizations,…

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BESarawak Hosts Inaugural ICCA Association Masterclass

In a three-part video report from the Legacy Capital of Malaysia, #Meet4Impact’s Geneviève Leclerc and GainingEdge Chairman, Gary Grimmer, share the journey of the inaugural 2-day ICCA Association Impact Masterclass, hosted by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism and funded by BESarawak, led by CEO, Amelia Roziman. Leclerc and Grimmer emphasize the importance of establishing the…

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Sustainability Hub for Events – A New AI Tool – Launched

From Trade Show Executive: Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE), the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe and Gevme collaborated to launch the Sustainability Hub for Events. The new platform utilizes AI to simplify sustainability guidelines into actionable steps for events. Sustainability Hub for Events works by indexing events’ data to create customized…

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Informa ‘Changes Gears’ as it Delivers 10% Growth

From Exhibition World: International trade show organiser Informa’s latest trading update is reporting growth of over 10%. The statement coincided with the group’s Annual General Meeting and confirmed continuing strong growth. Stephen A. Carter (pictured), group chief executive, Informa, said: “The Informa Group has changed gears and we are now delivering 10%+ growth.” He added:…

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Calgary Loses Major International Conference due to Visa Delays

From CBC News: Organizers with the International Health Economics Association (IHEA) cancelled plans to have Calgary host their next global congress over worries Ottawa couldn’t process hundreds of attendees’ visas in time for the July 2025 event. It was to be hosted at the University of Calgary campus. Instead, they moved their biennial conference to…

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Case Studies

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Impact of AIDS 2014 Conference Still Resonates Today

From Melbourne Convention Bureau: In 2014 the 20th International AIDS Conference was held in Melbourne, which to this day is still the largest health conference ever held here. Ten-years down the track we are still talking about it. Thinking back to then and the global spotlight on Melbourne with more than 13,000 delegates, visitors and…

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Madrid Convention Bureau and Red Cross Collaborate to Save Lives

From Madrid Convention Bureau: The European Hematology Association through its European Hematology Association Congress, Madrid Convention Bureau and the Red Cross are adding to the positive impact of Madrid’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism industry with a blood donation campaign. The aim is for participants at certain congresses and events held in the…

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Do You Take Wine with Your Flies?

Destination Canada’s Legacy & Impact Study is tracking the beyond-tourism benefits of up to 16 business events held across Canada between 2018 and 2024. This case study examines the extraordinary legacy of the Insects to Feed the World Conference, which has had a powerful impact on research and industry in Québec.  From structuring an…

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“Connecting the Dots” Between Innovation & Healthcare

From Boardroom: At the recent 2024 European Association Awards (organised by ESAE), MedTech Europe’s original “Connecting the Dots” campaign was honoured with the prestigious Digital Transformation Award. The association received this recognition for the exceptional impact of the video series produced in collaboration with BBC StoryWorks, demonstrating how digital communication can revolutionise the healthcare sector….

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GLOBAL DIY-SUMMIT: Copenhagen Inspires Organisational Transformation

The Global DIY-Summit is jointly organised by the DIY Retailers Association (EDRA), Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN), and the Home Improvement Manufacturers Association (HIMA). It’s managing director, Inaki Maillard EMBA, shares the story of how the deployment of the Copenhagen Legacy Lab to co-create the DIY Legacy Project has transformed not only the event, but…

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A BestCities Global Alliance Case Study: Global DIY Summit

From BestCities: The Global DIY Summit stands out as a premier networking event, connecting leaders in the DIY, Home Improvement, and Garden Centre markets. Organized by the European DIY-Retail Association (EDRA), the Home Improvement Manufacturers Association (HIMA), and the Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN), this summit draws over 1,000 delegates from more than 55 countries….

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Research

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City Travel Report Reveals European City Tourism Booms

From City Destinations Alliance: The 20th edition of the City Travel Report by CityDNA (formerly known as the CityDNA Benchmarking Report) reveals a steady growth in European city tourism, as cities achieved an average increase of 13.7% in 2023. The report, featuring results from 117 European cities, showcases the remarkable progress made in the post-pandemic…

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Business Travel Spending Expected to Hit Record $1.48T This Year

From Meetings International: The business travel industry has proven itself resilient as it moves into a new era of post-pandemic stabilisation. The 2024 forecast predicts global business travel spending will reach $1.48 trillion USD by the end of the year. Boosted by economic stability, pent-up demand and recovery momentum, spending is projected to surpass $2…

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Enhancing Employee Engagement & Retention Through DEI Initiatives

From Diversity Alliance: How much are you compromising your company’s growth by overlooking DE&I initiatives? Ignoring diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility initiatives can lead to significant setbacks in your workplace. The “Driving Success Through Diversity: Data Report 2024” is essential reading for the events industry. Produced by Diversity Alliance® and supported by CVENT and…

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TBOE Publishes 2024 International Planner Sentiment Report

From Meetings International: The Business of Events has published its 2024 International Planner Sentiment Report, created in partnership with Meet in Ireland and IBTM World. The annual report, which was first published in 2020, uses desk-based research to track the sentiment of planners in ten specific areas to determine the key factors influencing their choice…

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OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2024

The OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2024 edition comes as tourism has rebounded strongly following significant declines in 2020-21. The strong tourism recovery is providing a wake-up call as some destinations struggle to manage demand and its impacts on local communities and the environment. It analyses tourism trends and policy responses across 50 OECD and…

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Economic Impact of Exhibitions in the UK | 2023

From Events Industry Alliance: The business events industry helped to boost the UK economy by £10.9 billion in 2023, according to a new economic report by the Events Industry Alliance (EIA). Marija Erzen, co-owner, Solutions 2 (UK) Ltd, ESSA and EIA chair, commented, “We are delighted with the results of our latest economic impact report….

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Opinions

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When Making an Impact Moves from Words into Action

From IMEX: With a mission of bringing the global events community together to do business, learn and drive positive change, IMEX decided to make IMPACT our annual Talking Point for 2024/25. At the time we knew little about the hundreds of destinations and organizations in the global meetings and events industry already focused on creating…

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Geneviève Leclerc: Embracing Degrowth

LJ TALKS at IMEX Frankfurt 2024 | In a world where constant growth seems to be the dominant economic paradigm, degrowth presents the way forward. Geneviève Leclerc, the founder of MEET4IMPACT, joined Jan and Gorazd to share how event organisers must rethink the impacts of their event. They also discussed how to define impact and…

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“To Infinity and Beyond” – In Memoriam Didier Scaillet

By Pádraic Gilligan, Founder, Soolnua & Chief Marketing Officer, SITE: “To infinity and beyond” was a saying that Didier often used during his tenure as CEO of SITE when I served as his CMO. It’s half quoted in his last post on Facebook, from Christmas day, 2023 when he says “Merry Christmas to all my…

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Reinventing Business in the Reinvented City

From Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, by Professor Greg Clark: Glasgow’s urban transformation is visible all over the city. On any measure, the results of 30 years of increased and diversified job creation, business investment, and renewed districts that specialise in financial services, creative and media, life sciences, advanced technology, engineering, or hosting fabulous experiences and…

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DEI as Part of a Destination’s Sustainability Strategy

As a member of the SITE International Board of Directors, Destination Canada’s Senior Director, Business Events, Jennifer Attersall, CIS highlights the importance of viewing sustainability as more than environmental. Jennifer also encourages telling the story of what makes your destination unique, while respecting other cultures coming in and emphasizes the importance of using inclusive language.

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Sector Set for Significant Role in New Government’s Policy Agenda

From M&IT: With Labour set to take the reigns of power following a landslide general election victory, Michael Hirst OBE, chair, UKEVENTS working group for advocacy and government relations, explains how the meetings and events industry is poised to play a significant role in the new government’s policy agenda. We’ve been working diligently leading up…

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The Future of Regenerative Leadership: Bridging Nature and Culture

By Impact Catalyzt and Business Sociologist Annika Rømer, and Thomas Geuken Psychologist and Futurist at Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies: Upon governments countless attempts and good intentions to de-bureaucratize state institutions to support resilient societies ready for change, we must ask ourselves: ‘How will we achieve a sustainable transition in a world where reductionism, hierarchies,…

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The Circular Economy of Academic Conferences

Amanda Ferguson, the VisitScotland and Marketing Edinburgh veteran DMO is now working alongside academics within the University of Edinburgh in a concerted effort to attract strategically important international conferences to Scotland’s capital city. The drivers are sectoral growth and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) which determines the global reputational standing of the university index-linked to…

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Manifesto Provides Clarity on Value of Meetings

From AMI: The Meetings Industry Manifesto is one of the most lucid – and mercifully succinct – advocacy documents I have read in 14 years as a journalist working in this field. The result of recent talks between newly elected members of the European Parliament and representatives from the Joint Meetings Industry Council, VisitBrussels, CityDNA,…

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The Implications of Latest McKinsey Research for Incentive Travel

By Pádraic Gilligan: Recent research from McKinsey into the way we travel now is crammed with exciting, actionable insights for organisers of incentive travel programs. While the McKinsey research focuses on leisure, the trends here tend to replicate themselves in incentive travel as, after all, the travel reward is specifically designed to motivate and reward…

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Singapore Needs to Build on Strengths to Maintain Tourism Competition

From The Straits Times: Other countries are stepping up their game in the competition for tourists and, to keep up, Singapore will need to play to its strengths and be more imaginative, all while keeping the human touch, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Speaking at the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) annual Singapore Tourism Awards on…

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Navigating the Future of Business Events with Phillipa Harrison

From Boardroom: Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Australia as a premier destination for business events. In an interview with Boardroom, she highlights the country’s innovative strategies to enhance sustainability, attract international visitors, and stay competitive in the global tourism market. Interview by Remi Deve…

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Education

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4 August 2024

CEMA Summit 2024, Seattle, WA, USA

Experience thought-provoking keynotes, engaging panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and interactive sessions led by experts at the forefront of the industry—all set against the iconic backdrop of Seattle’s skyline and vibrant culture. Dive deep into the four content pillars of CEMA Summit 2024: Synergy by Design, Innovative Playfulness, and Purpose-Driven Leadership, as you immerse yourself in…

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19 August 2024

AIPC Africa Academy, Cape Town, South Africa

The future of Africa looks bright. Ratified by a majority of African countries, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement will merge 55 economies into a single, competitive mega market of more than a billion people, making it one of the biggest free trade areas in the world. This also means that there will…

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24 August 2024

38th CityDNA Summer School 2024, Brno, Czech Republic

The CityDNA 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…

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29 August 2024

2024 Certificate in Regenerative Destination Management, Online

Learn how to manage destinations through regenerative business models, destination stewardship approaches, and stakeholder engagement methodologies. We are all under pressure: visitor economies, their host communities, the earth, and the vulnerable. We need a new approach to recover, flourish, and thrive. Join us on a journey to a new mindset as we: Discover regenerative business…

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9 September 2024

AIPC Cyber Bootcamp, Luxembourg

AIPC, in collaboration with our partner Paratus, is organizing a 5-day boot camp on cybersecurity taking place at the ECCL. Covering all aspects from prevention to detection and response, this program includes lectures, workshops, and simulations. Offered at an accessible price of 2,500 € (excluding travel or accommodation), this is the same high-quality training provided…

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10 September 2024

ICCASkills | CICE Course, Christchurch, New Zealand

Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) Course | Enhance your skills and accelerate your growth. This course is designed for higher-level executives, with 3+ years of management experience or CICS graduates, to learn about new strategies and business models to elevate the level of the industry for meeting suppliers. Network with fellow peers and industry experts….

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12 September 2024

Destination Canada | Destination Dialogues Webinar

Destination Dialogues is a virtual event designed to inspire, inform and empower rural destination development professionals. Following the success of the 2023 event, Destination Canada proudly presents the second edition, with a free 90-minute webinar. As global travel trends and climate conditions evolve, local communities are seeking sustainable revitalization and innovative solutions to attract the…

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2 October 2024

CONVENE 4 CLIMATE, Barcelona, Spain

It’s challenging to know what the future will bring; however, we know we can be part of a solution for a better society. We must create a platform to bring focus to Business Events and together with adjacent industries find solutions needed to protect our tomorrow. PCMA together with the Strategic Alliance of National Convention…

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7 October 2024

IMEX America | Smart Monday, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Smart Monday, powered by MPI (Meeting Professionals International) is a unique opportunity to invest in your professional development and network with your peers before the show opens. While our bigger vision is a thriving global events industry focused on positive change, your aim is to learn, keep pace and to make well-informed decisions about yours,…

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19 October 2024

Destinations International 2024 Fall CDME Courses, Puerto Rico

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. The Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program prepares senior executives to lead…

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20 October 2024

AIPC Canadian Academy, Toronto

Attracting, retaining, and growing talent is a global challenge for our industry, not only in Canada but worldwide. One way of addressing this challenge is providing the upcoming leaders of convention centres with unique professional education, focusing on their specific needs. That is why Convention Centres of Canada and AIPC decided to co-create a Canadian…

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25 October 2024

ICCASkills | CICS Course, Beijing, China

ICCASkills Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) Course | Unlock your potential and elevate your career. This course is designed for early and mid-level professionals, or young graduates wanting to gain hands-on knowledge about the industry and become a specialist in the field. No minimum experience required. Gain insights and knowledge on all aspects of the…

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Events

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4 August 2024

CEMA Summit 2024, Seattle, WA, USA

Get ready to experience the perfect blend of strategy, purpose, and play against the backdrop of the vibrant city of Seattle at CEMA Summit 2024. As the premier event in event marketing and management, CEMA Summit brings together visionaries, industry leaders, and innovators for an extraordinary journey of discovery and growth. Join us as we…

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5 August 2024

Destination Midwest, Wichita, Kansas

Join your industry peers for the must attend hosted-buyer event bringing together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, attractions, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the Midwest U.S. Meet buyers who are ready to book business in: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North…

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18 August 2024

Destination Southeast, Point Clear, Alabama, USA

Destination Southeast — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — brings together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, attractions, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the Southeastern states including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Attendees…

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2 September 2024

The Future of Healthcare Meetings, Zurich, Switzerland

ICCA is proud to announce the ICCA Future of Healthcare Meetings to be held on 2-4 September 2024, in Zurich, Switzerland. The Future of Healthcare Meetings will bring together all stakeholders including healthcare professionals, healthcare association leaders and meeting suppliers to collaboratively explore how healthcare meetings should evolve to stay relevant and engaging for future…

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4 September 2024

Destination Caribbean, Paradise Island, Nassau Bahamas

An attendee favorite, Destination Caribbean, brings together the most highly qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the Caribbean. Attendees participate in one-on-one prescheduled appointments with strongly vetted buyers, gain industry insights from our guest speakers, and network with this exclusive…

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5 September 2024

Destination California, Pasea Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach

Destination California — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — 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…

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10 September 2024

UFI Americas Conference 2024, Monterrey, Mexico

Join us for an unparalleled opportunity to foster business development and network with industry leaders across the entire Americas region. The fusion of these chapters promises a comprehensive view of the exhibition industry, creating synergies that will shape the future of events in North, Central, and South America. Formerly known as the UFI LATAM Conference,…

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13 September 2024

M&IT Awards 2024, London, UK

The M&IT Awards holds a special place in the meetings and events calendar. Its winners represent the best of our industry, chosen by the industry – it’s the voice of the industry. Brought to you by Northstar Meetings Group, parent company of M&IT, we bring together more industry professionals than any other awards event, to…

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23 September 2024

TEAMS Conference + Expo, Anaheim, CA, USA

TEAMS: TRAVEL, EVENTS AND MANAGEMENT IN SPORTS, is the world’s leading conference and expo for the sports-event industry. Launched in 1998, TEAMS attracts more than 1,000 attendees including CEOs, executive directors and event managers from sports organizations as well as representatives from sports commissions and convention bureaus, corporate sponsors, event suppliers and other hospitality industry…

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29 September 2024

Luxury & Wellness Meetings, Newport Beach, CA, USA

Northstar Meetings Group’s NEW Luxury & Wellness Meetings event connects North American planners seeking luxury or wellness-focused venues for their meetings or incentives. Showcase your destination, CVB, DMC, hotel, resort, venue or related service or activity for successful meetings and incentive programs. Meet with elite planners and buyers who are currently sourcing national suppliers for…

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30 September 2024

Convening EMEA 2024, Barcelona, Spain

Convening EMEA is PCMA EMEA’s annual flagship event bringing together the global business events industry for an immersive 3-day programme in Europe. The event attracts 500+ business event leaders from over 40 countries to challenge each other and develop ways to move forward together. It is the platform to share knowledge, make meaningful connections, learn,…

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8 October 2024

IMEX America 2024, Las Vegas, NV, USA

IMEX America is the largest trade show for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry. Our award-winning show brings the meetings industry together to do a year’s worth of business under one roof. Suppliers and buyers from every sector of the meetings industry come together at IMEX, held at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. It’s…

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Ambassadors

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Greg Newton

Executive Vice President, Conventions, Events & General Manager – BMO Centre, Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Limited

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Born in Toronto, Canada, Greg has divided his life between living in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. More than 25 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 centres. Greg had the…

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Anna Look

Founder, Look Ahead Consulting

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Anna is a business event and tourism professional with European and Canadian expertise. She studied for her career at the University of Brighton in the UK and subsequently worked for international tour operators Thomas Cook and Cosmosair group before emigrating to Canada in 2005. British Columbia was her home for the first eight years, honing…

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Kai Hattendorf

Managing Director / CEO, UFI

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Kai Hattendorf is Managing Director / CEO of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. As such, he is responsible for UFI activities and events globally, as well as the operation of its offices and presences in Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, and Bogota. From 2019 to 2021, Kai served as Honorary President…

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Aileen Crawford

Head of Tourism and Conventions, Glasgow Convention Bureau

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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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James Rees

President of JMIC, Executive Director - ExCeL London

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James has 25 years’ experience in event organisation and major venue management. He began as a conference organiser for UK-based Water Research Centre organising national and international events then made a move into venue management, joining Wembley Stadium Ltd as an event manager across Wembley’s Stadium, Arena and Conference & Exhibition Centre venues, managing international…

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Flavie de Bueil

COO, City Destinations Alliance

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Flavie de Bueil has more than 20 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…

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Jack Johnson

Chief Advocacy Officer, Destinations International

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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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Bettina Reventlow-Mourier

Deputy Convention Director, Copenhagen Convention Bureau

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With more than 20 years’ experience in the meetings industry, Bettina has extensive knowledge on working with association congresses and in creating close collaboration between associations, academia, organisations, companies and government. AMCs in attracting international association congresses, meetings and exhibitions to Copenhagen. In her last 7 years as Deputy in the Convention department and Head…

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Ray Bloom

Chairman, IMEX Group

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Ray Bloom is the chairman and founder of the IMEX Group, which organises worldwide exhibitions for the incentive travel, meetings and events industry in Europe and the USA. IMEX in Frankfurt takes place at Messe Frankfurt, Germany, every spring; while IMEX America takes place at the Las Vegas Sands Expo each autumn. Bloom is also…

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Melissa Riley

Senior Vice President, Convention Sales & Services, Destination DC

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Melissa Riley serves as the Senior Vice President, Convention Sales and Services at Destination DC (DDC), the official convention and tourism organization for the nation’s capital. A 26-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Riley leads a team of more than 30 who work in concert to generate a positive economic impact for the…

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Alexander Alles

Executive Director, Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC)

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Alex Alles joined JMIC Joint Meetings Industry Council in August 2022. There he is responsible for the overall operations of the association as well as the project office of the Net Zero Carbon Events. NZCE is an industry-wide initiative aiming to help stakeholders of the meetings and events sectors to decarbonise. Before joining JMIC, Alex…

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Lesley Williams

Consultant, GainingEdge

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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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