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Features

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GDS Forum Szezecin: Maximising the Impact of Collaboration

This year’s GDS (Global Destination Sustainability) Forum and Impact Day held in Szezecin, Poland, aimed to build the capacity of every delegate to improve the sustainability and event impact strategies in their destinations by tapping into the expertise, experiences and tacit knowledge of their peers. The informal but innovative meeting design elements created new connections,…

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USTA’s Twin Goals: Public Reassurance & Policymaker Persuasion

In this interview at the 2025 IMEX Place Leaders Forum, US Travel Association MD Group Travel Kevin Hinton explains the two critical sides of his job, and how USTA’s efforts in these dimensions interact to support the success of the US business events sector. Before they travel, overseas visitors to the US frequently receive inaccurate…

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Adelaide’s Focus on the Strategic Strengths of Its State Economy

COO of Business Events Adelaide Tony Saulters explains how his bureau focuses on the world-class specialisations in his destination when determining which events to target, assessing their potential importance not just on delegate numbers and expenditure, but on their capacity to drive inward investment and talent acquisition, and the extent to which they can facilitate…

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Conference Attendance Facing Increasing Barriers from Corporate Decision-Makers

Companies are placing conference attendance under a microscope, sending fewer employees than in previous years — or choosing not to send anyone at all. 56% of respondents to GBTA’s recent survey said their organisation has changed its meetings or events strategy in the past three months, with 24% saying they are reducing employee event attendance.

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The Heat is On

Across Europe, conferences and exhibitions help to shape cities, through visitor spend and supporting industrial strategies and economic development. Europe is experiencing a summer of ferocious heat, which scientists predict will become the ‘new normal’. AMI’s writers explore how the events industry is coping, responding, and thinking about the future.

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What Event Profs Should Start Measuring (And What Can Wait)

The process of designing and executing a seamless event is an art, but tracking and analysing all the metrics is definitely a science. The formula for success can vary from group to group, but there are some universal metrics that most planners should focus on — ones that go beyond total attendance and satisfaction scores.

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Prof. Greg Clark: “What Really Matters Is Place Leadership”

Speaking at this year’s Place Leaders Forum at IMEX Frankfurt, future of cities expert Prof. Greg Clark articulates the potential for business events to fulfil a pivotal role within destinations’ strategic thinking, thanks to the emergence of new competitive realities as we enter an era where the Innovation Economy interacts with the Experience Economy. Our…

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Cuts to UK Events Team Criticised as “Utterly Irrational and Entirely Counterproductive”

For years, the UK’s BE sector has been making the same case to government: we are more than tourism. Now, Parliament has said it too. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s new report is arguably the strongest political endorsement the sector has received, warning it risks falling behind without Government commitment to funding. From M&IT…

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“Keep It Fun, Keep It Feasible”

In August, the Louder Together “congrestival” will take place in Antwerp, combining a conference and festival where children, young people and teaching artists from around the world convene in a lively mix of theatre festival and scientific conference, with a clear ambition to create societal impact. From Flanders Convention Bureau…

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Copenhagen’s Life Science Meetings Edge

Copenhagen’s life science congresses are being asked to do more than convene international specialists. Through Valuable Meetings⁠, a MeetDenmark⁠ project supported by the Danish Board of Business Development, the city is exploring how congresses can become active platforms for sector development, connecting global associations with Danish research, healthcare, companies and innovation networks. From Boardroom…

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Postcards from the Associations World Congress 2026

Organised by the Association of Association Executives, the Associations World Congress took place in Portugal this year, setting up camp at the Lagoa Congress Centre and the Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort for three days of debate, collaboration, and an industry doing some serious reckoning with its own future. From Boardroom…

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Copenhagen Risk Navigator: A Toolbox for the Worldwide Events Industry

Copenhagen Convention Bureau launched the Copenhagen Risk Navigator at this year’s IMEX, and explained that this comprehensive, practical collection of 14 different risk management tools has been custom-developed and made available freely to the entire business events community: destinations and organisers / owners, as well as industry suppliers. Developed by CCB in partnership with GainingEdge…

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News

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Australia’s Bid Fund ROI Demonstrates Subvention Success

Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Robin Mack provides an overview of the ROI generated by Australia’s Bid Fund, the current edition of which has been in operation since 2018. Over A$1.5 billion in direct impact has been generated from the 221 qualifying events, 52 times the value of subventions awarded. But the impact goes much further…

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ECA Opposes New FCC Communications Technologies Proposal

ECA is actively opposing and coordinating an industry-wide response to a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposal that would prevent exhibitors from importing, displaying, and demonstrating certain new and emerging communications technologies at U.S. events and tradeshows before those products have received final FCC authorization.

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2026 Incredible Impacts Main Grant Finalists & Seed Grant Winner Announced

BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) have announced the finalists of this year’s Incredible Impact Programme, an initiative which celebrates associations that drive lasting, positive change through international meetings. Two of the three shortlisted are the subjects of case studies produced by The Iceberg in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland –…

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GCB Digs Deep into Specialist Sectors

The German Convention Bureau organised an exclusive knowledge-sharing and peer-group platform for event professionals from the finance and international law sectors, enabling specialists to explore the factors that will influence the evolution of their sectors’ events. Future editions are planned for other scientific and business sectors, in German cities where these are strongly represented.

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Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Launches ECA Connections

ECA is introducing the Connections Series, to facilitate year-round insight and opinion-sharing, using Natter’s conversational intelligence engine, business events industry leaders are matched one-on-one with each other for a series of short, candid, (confidential!) virtual conversations on issues impacting the industry. The program is available to ECA member associations, partners, and other invited industry leaders.

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Congress Urged to Prevent Travel Disruptions

With a government funding deadline looming, three of the industry’s largest trade associations are urging Congress to resolve differences between competing continuing-resolution spending bills for the fiscal year 2027 and avoid a federal shutdown that could disrupt travel operations ahead of the fall travel season. From Northstar…

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ECA Launches Ambassadors Circle to Strengthen Industry Advocacy Efforts

ECA, the public policy voice of the US business events industry, has launched the ECA Ambassadors Circle, designed to recognise, empower and engage the industry’s most committed advocates. The programme will provide a select group of industry leaders with specialised year-round programming, advanced advocacy training and new opportunities to help amplify the industry’s voice.

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Global Business Travel Spending to Hit $1.71 Trillion in 2026

Global business travel spending is projected to reach $1.71 trillion in 2026, while business trip volume is expected to total 1.84 billion trips, according to GBTA’s Business Travel Index Annual Global Report and Forecast. The figures point to another year of expansion for the sector, although spending continues to grow significantly faster than trip volume.

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Mozambique Adopts New Strategy to Attract Business Events

The Mozambican government has approved a strategy to develop business tourism in the country through to 2030. The strategy projects annual revenues of US$106 million alongside increased inward investment and economic capacity building, through the hosting of 38 international conferences, congresses, and other professional events.

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SITE Launches Three Specialty Certifications for Incentive Travel Professionals

SITE has launched the first three of its new Specialty Certifications, expanding its professional development offering with focused, on-demand education in incentive travel psychology, risk management and wellness. The new credentials respond directly to demand from SITE members for practical, career-advancing education that can be applied to their work immediately.

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Singapore Broadens MICE Sustainability Agenda With Roadmap 2.0

Singapore’s MICE industry is moving into a new phase of sustainable growth, with the launch of MICE Sustainability Roadmap 2.0, placing social and economic sustainability alongside environmental considerations. Announced at Singapore MICE Forum 2026 by guest-of-honour Gan Siow Huang, the refreshed roadmap was developed by the Singapore Tourism Board and SACEOS.

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The Athens Promise: Supporting a Unified Industry Strategy

A new advocacy movement, The Athens Promise, has launched this July to support existing efforts and further unite the meetings and events industry behind one clear message: the work of business events matters, and the world needs to understand why. The initiative is led by the IAPCO, in partnership with AIPC AMC Institute and PCMA.

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Case Studies

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The IHPBA 2026 Legacy Project: Addressing Regional Disparities in Liver Cancer Care

Winner of the 2026 Incredible Impacts Programme Seed Fund Grant, the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) World Congress 2026 will focus on the ‘IHPBA 2026 Legacy Project’, which addresses regional disparities in Hepatocellular carcinoma care across the Asia-Pacific region and low- and middle-income countries. This initiative aims to improve equity through frameworks, policy leadership, and regional…

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Copenhagen Health Innovation Week: Leveraging Co-Located Summits for a Life Science Legacy

Denmark’s life science sector accounts for approximately 20% of total national exports, backed by a national strategy through 2030 designed to enhance research capacity, improve framework conditions, and elevate global competitiveness. A major cornerstone of this strategy was the 2025 launch of Innovation District Copenhagen (IDC), a closely connected public–private hub bringing together 40,000 researchers,…

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Relationship Café Brings Conference Research Into the Heart of Glasgow

The International Association for Relationship Research Conference turned research into conversation through a community event at Social Bite. More than 660 delegates gathered in Glasgow for the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) Conference 2026, but some of the conference’s most meaningful conversations took place away from the main programme.

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What Destinations Should Do First, Before They Start Chasing International Business Events

Learn how Discover Saskatoon won the International Food and Agriculture Business Management Association (IFAMA) World Forum, using Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund. Invaluable lessons in how to incorporate “impact” and build partnerships at the earliest bidding stage. By Anna Look, Look Ahead Consulting…

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The Multi-Year Chess Match: Inside the World of International City Bidding

Anthony Cassidy from Manchester Convention Bureau dissects the process of identifying targets, building ambassador capacity and bidding teams, and establishing trust with decision-makers in targeted organisations and events – a useful guide for destinations developing a bidding strategy linked to their economic development strategy, or looking to compare and benchmark their approach with others.

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Montreal: Local Community Impacts Can Occur Long After the Congress Leaves Town

A year after global sexual health specialists gathered at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress continues to bear fruit. A financial surplus of C$55,151.77 has been given to six Montréal community organisations working in sexual health, a wonderful example of the lasting legacy international conferences can leave.

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Reports & Research

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Gathering Architecture: An Essential Library

David Adler from GatheringPoint has created an incredible wide-ranging collection of free resources for anyone interested in maximising the impact and outcomes from their events. Workbooks and checklists cover themes such as Event Strategy, Outcome Planning, Formats & Facilitation, Attendee Psychology, Risk Management, Marketing and Sponsorship!

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Economic Impact of Exhibitions in the United Kingdom

This report from UFI in association with Oxford Economics summarises the direct, indirect and induced impacts of the exhibitions sector within the UK economy in 2025. It highlights 1,154 exhibitions involving 6.8 million visitors and 139,000 exhibitors, supporting more than 127,000 jobs, generating £11.7bn in economic output and contributing £6.1bn towards the country’s GDP.

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Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey

In the latest Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey, conducted in partnership with Phocuswright, the level of planner optimism largely continues from the previous cycle, the percentage of planners booking and actively sourcing new events is up year-over-year, whiles there is also evidence of geopolitical and economic uncertainty taking a toll.

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EIC Releases Full 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study

EIC, in partnership with Oxford Economics, has released the full 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study, providing a comprehensive examination of the scale and broader value of the global business events sector. They found business events generated US$3.1 trillion in total business sales. Download the full report via the link in this article.

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Why Attendees Say the Best Learning Isn’t in the Session Room

Skift analyses new research from Freeman that confirms what meeting planners have suspected for years: the agenda they spend months building isn’t where attendees are finding the most value. Attendees say they would ideally spend 54% of their learning time in unstructured formats rather than formal sessions. At trade shows, that figure rises to 64%.

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One of the Most Consequential Business Events Documents of the 21st Century?

Why does The Iceberg consider the just-released IMEX White Paper, “Place Leadership and the Business Events Sector”, to be so important? In almost four decades of monitoring and supporting this sector, The Iceberg Curator, Martin Sirk, has reviewed hundreds of research reports, policy documents, and thought-leadership papers, yet he notes that “few match this paper’s…

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Opinions

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The Wonderful Responsibility…That You Need to Take Seriously

Crisis and leadership communication expert Marjie Hadad gives an outsider’s perspective and issues a strong wake-up call to the Business Events sector, arguing that we need to craft far more effective messaging, tailored carefully for every key audience and group of stakeholders, with local voices but high-level consistency of our key talking-points. Business Events leaders…

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Associations Commons: An Essential Portal for Asia-Pacific Associations and Their Perspectives

Peng Ee Ooi outlines the unfulfilled needs that led to the creation of Associations Commons as a portal for associations in the Asia-Pacific region to share their perspectives, challenges, and solutions with one another. Western know-how and methodologies are often not easily translatable, for cultural or economic reasons, into Asian scenarios, whereas local associations have…

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Inspiring Global Visitor Economy Leadership

Y.T. Anderson, of Visit Northern Finland & Oulu Convention Bureau, reflects on City DNA’s 40th Summer School, designed for newcomers to business events. He shares insights into the changing models of destination leadership, the shift from bednight-driven metrics to societal impact, and the growing influence of the new generation of future leaders in our sector.

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Why Legacy Has to Be Engineered, Not Left to Chance

Destination Canada’s Virginie De Visscher calls for the wider industry to adopt the lessons from the first three years of their unique study into international event impact and legacy. The biggest surprise in the research: the power of inclusion and diversity during planning, creating and delivering events. From Conference & Meetings World…

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Conferences: An Antidote to Our Digital Derangement

AMI’s James Lancaster argues that when so much of our professional life has been compressed into screens, feeds and notifications, conferences seem a little quaint – people travelling for hours to sit beside colleagues, listen to someone imparting information and then chat about it over a coffee. But this quaintness increasingly looks like the point.

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The Future of Conferences Isn’t Bigger, It’s More Meaningful

Meeting design guru Adrian Segar argues the meetings industry has spent decades measuring success as a matter of volume: more attendees, more exhibitors, more sponsors, more square footage. But bigger events don’t necessarily create greater value for the people who attend. Segar puts forward his predictions for the rise of delegate-centred success metrics.

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Context Creates Value: Connecting Destination Expertise and Events

GCB Managing Director Schultze argues that while the world of business events has access to more data than ever before, and destination and venue information is widely available, the real value emerges only when different data sources are connected and placed into a meaningful context. Schultze outlines what Germany is doing to illuminate these connections.

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Informa’s Diversification Thesis Meets a Major Test

Kai Hattendorf conducts a deep dive into Informa’s recent state-of-business report for the first half of 2026, drawing our attention to the impact of geopolitics on global trade show sector performance, and the company’s strategic and tactical decisions on issues such as event postponement vs cancellation, regional prioritisation and differentiation, and risk management.

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Don Welsh, Coach and Showman in Chief

Destinations International’s President & CEO Don Welsh shares his personal business philosophy and his views on the future role of convention bureaux or DMOs. Leaders of these organisations will need to evolve into “alternative mayors”, ringmasters of the complex institutional relationships that make up modern place leadership in destinations large and small. From GatheringPoint.news…

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Meetings Don’t Just Mean Business; They Mean Cures! Don’t Empty The Room!

David Adler takes a critical look at the threat to scientific and medical meetings should US federal regulation OMB-2026-0034 go ahead, prohibiting grant recipients from attending conferences not named in the original grant proposal (in practice, an impossibility!). David also brilliantly articulates the processes by which face-to-face meetings generate scientific insights and progress.

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The Country That Fired Its Own Sales Force

An industry asked its government for attention, got it, and watched the government defund it mid-conversation. Parliament formally objected, demanded the cuts be reversed, and proposed moving the entire sector out of the culture department and into the trade department. David Adler translates the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee report into plain English…

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Education

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12 October 2026

Specialist Education @ IMEX America 2026, Las Vegas, NV, USA

At IMEX, the free professional education program includes 150+ in-depth seminars, hands-on workshops and specialist forums at each show, covering a wide range of industry insights, trends, and best practices. Spark your imagination at groundbreaking keynotes, soak up fresh ideas from experts and innovators, keep up with the latest event tech, polish your professional skills.

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17 October 2026

Destinations International | Fall CDME Course, Ottawa, ON, Canada

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.

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26 October 2026

Destinations International | Business Operations Summit, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

The Business Operations Summit is a cross-functional gathering of destination organisation professionals in finance, human resources, operations and technology. This year’s summit will provide insight on post-pandemic recovery from an organisational perspective, focusing on new ways to think about how destination organisations are organised, staffed and operated.

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8 November 2026

AIPC | Canadian Academy, Toronto, ON, Canada

An immersive leadership programme designed to develop the next generation of convention centre leaders through practical learning, site visits and peer collaboration. Delivered by AIPC, CCC, and IAVM, the high-impact programme covers operations, strategy, and finance – with global experts, hands-on learning, and powerful networking.

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19 November 2026

13th CityDNA Visitor Experience Expert Meeting 2026, Valencia, Spain

The Visitor Experience Expert Meeting offers a mix of incentive and exchange opportunities for all attendees, so participant diversity is of great importance. This event is for managers and TIC front office professionals coming from small and large cities and working for either public or private tourist information organisations – CityDNA members or not.

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19 November 2026

AIPC | Operational Excellence Summit, Barcelona, Spain

The AIPC Operational Excellence Summit offers a high-level forum for convention centre professionals navigating increasing operational complexity, rapid technological change, and rising expectations around sustainability, security and customer experience. It is designed for the people who actually make events happen, from operations directors and operational excellence leaders to technical, AV, ICT and facilities managers.

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6 December 2026

ICCA Association Pharmaceutical Compliance Masterclass, Düsseldorf, Germany

The ICCA Pharma Compliance Training takes place for the first time in December 2026, bringing together representatives of medical and pharmaceutical associations for two intensive days of learning, exchange and best‑practice sharing in Düsseldorf, a dynamic healthcare and life sciences hub. Open to association professionals who are event leads and meet the criteria.

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26 January 2027

2nd CityDNA CVB Expert Meeting 2027, Timișoara, Romania

Across Europe, CVBs are navigating rapid shifts in expectations, competition and complexity, yet there are few opportunities designed specifically for them to step back, connect with peers and reflect on how we operate, collaborate and evolve. This meeting fills that gap, combining focused discussions and informal networking. The event is open to all CVBs.

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11 March 2027

ICCA Business Workshop International 2027, St. Julian’s, Malta

The ICCA Business Workshop, hosted by the Meetings & Events Management Sector, will bring together up to 15 ICCA Members from the Meetings & Events Management, Destination Management, and Venues & Hotels sectors from around the world for one-to-one business meetings and to explore St. Julian’s association offering.

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11 April 2027

AIPC Academy 2027, Brussels, Belgium

The AIPC Academy is designed for convention centre professionals seeking to broaden their industry knowledge, strengthen their leadership capabilities, and prepare for increased management responsibilities within an evolving global events landscape. It provides a valuable platform for previous graduates and experienced industry professionals looking to continue developing their strategic thinking, professional network and industry perspective.

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UFI Learning | Programmes, Resources, Communities, Events & Advocacy

UFI Learning is structured as a learning landscape that brings together programmes, events, communities, and resources. This flexible approach aims to provide diverse opportunities to encourage continuous learning for all. Whether it’s an UFI event, a programme, or a research report—every engagement with UFI offers an opportunity to learn.

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IAPCO | webEDGE, Online Learning Platform

webEDGE provides information on a range of subjects that are pertinent to those working in the meetings industry. The Congress Project Management Course is designed to equip business events industry professionals with a 360-degree view of congress organisation. Learn new skills, stay up to date on industry trends, and advance your career.

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Events

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13 October 2026

IMEX America 2026, 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 industry come together at IMEX, held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas.

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19 October 2026

CityDNA Autumn Conference 2026, Verona, Italy

Under the theme Moving Together, this conference will explore how city destinations can navigate movement in all its forms. Across three days of learning, exchange and networking, CityDNA members will reflect on what is moving in our cities today, and how destinations can move forward together with greater alignment, collective purpose and one authoritative voice.

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20 October 2026

Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Join us for the inaugural Advocacy & Action: The Destination Impact Event, where destination leaders come together to explore the strategies, partnerships and solutions that strengthen communities and shape the future of destination organisations. Please note that a 2026 partnership is required to attend this event, and not all partner tiers are eligible.

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21 October 2026

ICCA | 5th Asia Pacific Business Events Youth Challenge 2026, Macao

Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition & Tourism Sectors, co-hosting with ICCA, is delighted to organise the fifth edition of the Asia Pacific BE Youth Challenge. This competition aims to foster young professionals in the Business Events industry and provide an exclusive opportunity for participants to take centre stage in showcasing innovative and creative ideas.

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22 October 2026

ICCA Asia Pacific EvolvDestination Forum 2026, Macao

This is not another forum about what the business events industry already knows. The AP EvolvDestination Forum 2026 is designed for professionals who want to understand where future business will come from, how association decisions are changing, and how destinations, venues, PCOs, associations, universities, and industry partners can create opportunities together.

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26 October 2026

Northstar | TEAMS ’26 Conference + Expo, Birmingham, AL, USA

TEAMS: TRAVEL, EVENTS AND MANAGEMENT IN SPORTS, is the world’s leading conference and expo for the sports-event industry. Presented by SportsTravel, and hosted by the Greater Birmingham CVB, TEAMS ’26 will be held October 26–29 in Birmingham, Alabama. For more than 25 years, TEAMS has helped define the sports-event and appointment-based trade show industries.

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26 October 2026

Northstar | Small & Boutique Meetings, San Antonio, TX, USA

Northstar’s premier hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings brings together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs, technology and merchandise providers, 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.

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26 October 2026

Destinations International | Business Operations Summit, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

The Business Operations Summit is a cross-functional gathering of destination organization professionals in finance, human resources, operations and technology. This year’s summit will provide insight on post-pandemic recovery from an organizational perspective, focusing on new ways to think about how destination organizations are organized, staffed and operated.

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2 November 2026

Northstar | Global Incentive Summit, Madrid, Spain

The Summit brings together the most highly-qualified incentive travel buyers with top incentive destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from around the world. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group of incentive specialists.

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2 November 2026

93rd UFI Global Congress 2026, Manama, Bahrain

The UFI Global Congress is a unique platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring innovative solutions to the challenges facing the exhibition industry. By choosing Bahrain, UFI highlights the Kingdom’s growing importance as a hub for international events and its commitment to fostering the global exhibition ecosystem. (Open to UFI Members Only.)

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8 November 2026

ICCA Congress 2026, Panama City, Panama

The 65th ICCA Congress in Panama will be a powerful celebration of connection, innovation, and shared purpose. Join us to explore new perspectives, forge meaningful partnerships, and shape the future of business events in one of the world’s most vibrant destinations. This is our moment to learn, grow, and lead — together.

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16 November 2026

ICCA Young Professionals Forum 2026, Barcelona, Spain

The Forum gives emerging professionals a genuine voice — and a seat at the table — empowering them to challenge assumptions, share bold ideas and help shape the future of our industry. This event is open to ICCA members, Observers association executives, and students of any age, though priority will be given to Young Professionals.

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Ambassadors

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Alicia Yao

Vice Chair, China Business Event Industry Committee

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In 2016, Alicia Yao became the Chief editor of Association Innovative Development, a quarterly magazine owned by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, China Association for Non-Profit Organization (CANPO) for the executives of over 2,300 China National level associations. In 2018, She co-founded China Business Event Industry Committee (CBEIC) jointly with CCPIT-CSC and serves as its…

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Silvano Schaer

Chief Commercial Officer, Congrex Switzerland

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Silvano joined Congrex Switzerland in 2010 and is a member of the company’s senior management team. He leads the Marketing, Sales, Communications and Sustainability divisions. His career began in the hospitality sector, and he has since accumulated more than twenty years of experience in the business events industry. Congrex Switzerland is one of Europe’s leading…

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Alyson Robb

VP, Strategy & External Relations, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

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Alyson Robb is a public relations specialist with over 20 years of experience in the public and private sector. Alyson has worked for different members of government, both at the federal and provincial level, providing communications and strategic political advice. She is also successful in creating positive working relationships with various external partners. Currently, Alyson…

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Matt Pearce

CEO, Talk2 Media & Events

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Matt is the CEO and co-founder of Talk2 Media & Events. Talk2 ME owns and runs a variety of trade and consumer exhibitions throughout Australia. Every year Talk2 ME works with some of Australia’s best brands as partners on exhibitions that attract almost 200,000 highly engaged visitors through their doors. Talk2 Media & Events was…

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Caroline Lepage

CEO, Québec City Business Destination

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Caroline Lepage is a visionary leader and trailblazer in the meetings and events industry, currently serving as CEO of the Québec City Convention Centre and Québec City Business Destination. With a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s in Commerce, she brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational expertise to her role….

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Sven Bossu

Chief Executive Officer, AIPC

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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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Karina Soraya Lance

Associate Vice President, Dubai Business Events, & Executive Board Member, Dubai Association Centre

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European, Asian or Arab? …One always wonder where Ms. Karina Soraya Lance is from when meeting her for the first time, as her adaptability to any environment always triggers curiosity. With a master in International Relations and Asia Pacific Studies, Karina was one of the few students who started learning Mandarin Chinese in the late…

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Nigel Brown, CICS

Director, Marketing & Partnerships, BestCities Global Alliance

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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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Peirui Tan

Programme Manager – Advocacy & Alliances, UFI

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Peirui joined UFI as the Programme Manager for Advocacy and Alliances in 2023. In this role, she collaborates with UFI members and partners to advance advocacy initiatives for the exhibitions industry globally. A Singaporean based in Frankfurt, Peirui brings over 20 years of international experience to her position. She has previously worked with the Singapore…

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Martin Boyle

CEO, IAPCO

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Martin has a wealth of experience and a strategic vision that has been shaped over decades of working across a number of countries in the business and professional events and meetings industry. After university and a successful run as a restauranteur, he launched a corporate event management start-up in Canada in the late 1990s. At…

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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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Sherrif Karamat, CAE

President & CEO, PCMA & CEMA

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Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, the world’s largest community for business events strategists, providing education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events community. Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. He is a prominent business architect, enabling communities to become a…

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Publications

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Newsletters

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Partner Spotlight

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Centre for Events & Festivals (CEF)

The world’s first international professional body to support the professional development and recognition of everyone working across the global events industry. The Centre for Events & Festivals (CEF) is an international Not-for-Profit providing resources to all event and festival sectors – from sports, business and private events to public, arts, and cultural festivals. We do…

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Destination DC

Destination DC is a vital economic development organization that promotes Washington, DC as a world-class destination for conventions, tourism, sports and special events with an emphasis on the arts, cultural and historical communities. DDC is a private, non-profit corporation with a membership of over 1,000 businesses and organizations that support the DC travel and tourism…

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