PRESENTS
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“Nobody is thinking anymore abut business events as some sort of sub-set of tourism”, said world-renown urbanist Prof. Greg Clark CBE FAcSS of The Business of Cities at last week’s IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt. Instead, he believes, “business events are the perfect tool to stimulate a high value economy and to solve our social…
By Scott Steinberg, from Meetings International: If artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) seem everywhere, remember: From Open AI’s ChatGPT to Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing, and Amazon’s offerings, the party is just starting. Soon, meeting and event planners (not to mention attendees) won’t just be able to leverage smart and self-aware technology assistants to…
AUSTRALIAN BOAT RACE: If you want to row your own boat, you’re in the wrong boat! Listening to the Business Events Sector of Australia leadership at the AIME Leaders Forum, and subsequently in interview, it became abundantly clear why Australia’s leading industry associations have decided to merge. Four bodies – the Business Events Council of…
Matt Pearce, Director of AIME held in Melbourne in February joins fellow attendees of the Leaders Forum to illustrate the role of events in sustaining post-COVID economies and societies. Social License: “In God we trust, but everyone else must bring data.” One significant takeaway is the heightened need for impact data, not just…
Kassandra Linklater, chief operating officer at The Frontier Collective, has been at the epicentre of Vancouver’s emergence as an intellectual capital in ‘Frontier’ technologies. Speaking at the BestCities Global Forum, Linklater explains how industry has been actively encouraged by government to assume license to lead in promoting the city as a hub for start-ups, scale-ups…
By Shawna McKinley, from AMI Magazine: I miss the good old days when spotting greenwashing was easy. ‘Natural’ claims on a catering menu? Sounds like a vague term. Green branding on ‘eco-friendly’ promotional products? Likely creating a false impression. While concern about greenwashing is higher than ever, it also seems harder to assess environmental claims…
Last year, VisitBritain unveiled its Legacy & Impact Toolkit as a start to catalysing the social and other growth impacts which can be derived from business and professional events. As a follow up, social consultancy #MEET4IMPACT and the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Movement were brought in to provide the sustainability and impact design and management…
As Labor and incumbent Liberal politicians including then premier of New South Wales (Australia), Dominic Perrottet, traded policy agendas in front of a packed audience of Sydney leaders ahead of this month’s state elections, The Iceberg enjoys a double-bill with the Committee for Sydney Chair, Deputy Chair, and Sydney’s event sector top brass about the…
From the Cambridge Union debating chamber Michael Dominguez, President & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), charts the leisure-led recovery of the travel sector but warns that commitment and consistency are key to successful government relations, advocacy, and support. The source code to the recent $1.7 trillion 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Act including the appointment…
At ‘The Great Industry Debate’ hosted in January by the Cambridge Union, UKinbound CEO and former Visit Britain chief, Joss Croft, echoes fellow speaker Michael Dominguez regarding the importance of consistency and relevance to government in communicating a new narrative. Croft confirms the need to elevate the ‘Gross Value-Add’ (GVA) in order to appeal to…
The BestCities Global Forum delegates in Vancouver were exposed to the social procurement and environmental activities developed within and by the city of Vancouver which can be applied to association meetings. The example of Ocean Wise, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower communities and individuals to take action to protect and restore our…
The 12 BestCities Global Alliance partnership convened in Vancouver in December to once again drive legacy and sustainability standards for association meetings. In a sequel to the Capilano Impact Study Report, the attending associations react to the Vancouver experience. The next edition, in January 2024 will be in the medical city of Melbourne. The…
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Celebrating 25 Years of Meet Cambridge with a community gathering entitled ‘Events: Matters Arising’, the organisation’s head, Judith Sloane, combines with TBOE’s Martin Fullard to illustrate a new mindset anchored in the pursuit of policy support for both the city and the UK Government’s social and sectoral priorities. The UK’s crucible of knowledge is blessed…
Each year at the ICCA Gala Dinner at IMEX, ICCA announces the winner of the Global Influencer Award, which recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to, and influence on, the global meetings industry. On 24th May ICCA President Marta Gomes and CEO Senthil Gopinath were delighted to present the 2023 award to Isabel Bardinet. From ICCA…
The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), a newly established organisation representing the business events industry, has announced its board of directors and revealed its fresh brand ahead of its official launch on 3 July. With a commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes, ranging from large corporations to small enterprises… From spicenews.com.au…
By Paul Colston, from Conference & Meetings World: Cvent, the global meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, has announced the launch of its AI Writing Assistant. This innovative tool is incorporated directly within the Cvent platform and is designed to leverage the power of generative AI to streamline the content creation process.
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and societal change, governments globally need tools and platforms that can advance a broad-based growth and transformation in the most effective ways. The primary value of the Meetings Industry is the role it plays in facilitating and supporting essential exchanges in the areas of professional, corporate, academic and social…
Sarawak will establish and position itself as Malaysia and Borneo’s first legacy capital for business events in the wake of Indonesia’s new capital city development on Borneo, the Premier of the state said at the 10th Anak Sarawak Awards organised by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). From Conference & Meetings World…
By Paul Colston, from Exhibition World: International event organiser and digital services group Informa has announced the addition of specialist B2B events, data and media group, Chicago-based Winsight, for $380m, payable in cash to owners HPS Investment Partners…
Specialist events insurer InEvexco Ltd has been acquired by AssuredPartners, a US-based, private equity backed insurance broker with an international portfolio. Kent-based InEvexco was founded in 2011 and over the course of a decade, has established itself as a market-leading insurance specialist for the events industry. From Exhibition News…
A new conference for European association professionals involved in public affairs and advocacy is taking place next month. The European Conference of Association Public Affairs and Advocacy Professionals, run by ASSOCIATIONWORLD, will bring together association public affairs experts and MEPs with the aim of establishing ‘Europe’s prime platform and knowledge-transfer event… From AMI Magazine…
“Climate change is something we’re all facing and, to be successful, we all have to approach it in the most productive and effective way for our individual circumstances” – Alan Steel, CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center. Learn how Alan and the Javits Center are working towards…
UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf gives a recap of the hot topics among policymakers, national associations and the international chambers during the AHK World Conference, including how Germany can continue to build on the strong track record that has enabled them to become one of the leading global exhibition markets next to the US and China…
IMEX America 2022 has been recognised as the fastest growing tradeshow in the US. The IMEX Group was awarded the accolade at Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, with the Las Vegas-based show taking first place for fastest growing show in North America by number of exhibitors. From IMEX Group…
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The 2021 BestCities Global Forum in Madrid came just a few months after the city hosted the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) Congress. The Iceberg has been following the evolution of its legacy engagement project – The Madrid Project – which derived from a revolutionary RFP created by CEO Alessandro Cortese, and explained…
Liver disease is killing over 300,000 Europeans every year. It is one of the silent killers of mass destruction. And it’s about to get significantly worse… In a case study video double-bill The Iceberg shares the ‘Legacy and Impact Trilogy’ developed for the International Liver Congress (ILC) in London by the European Association for the…
Glasgow Convention Bureau’s Impact and Legacy team have taken a fresh approach to uncovering the true meaning and impact of conferences when they take place in Glasgow, by revisiting the World Down Syndrome Congress team five years on since they met in Glasgow in 2018. Over the last ten years, Glasgow Convention Bureau has delivered…
In December, the BestCities Global Alliance convened once more for its annual Forum, this time in Vancouver. The event always breaks new ground, particularly regards the evolution of impacts and legacies sought by professional associations and societies, and the host, to advance social and economic transformation. This was no exception. After the development of the…
Using the BESLegacy Initiative Guideline, the strategic pursuit of measuring the legacy impacts of the first International Conference on Education in the Digital Ecosystem (ICEdDE) 2019 were mapped. The authors found strong agreement on the immediate impacts that the conventions had on the delegates across eight domains: Knowledge Expansion & Education Networking & Relationship Collaboration…
An association for cataract surgeons ensures its events have a more positive social, environmental, and economic impact through measurement and strategy. What does it take to ensure an event has increasingly positive sustainability impacts? For the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), vision, collaboration, and action are key. It has taken the medical…
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ICCA announces the return of its annual Country and City Rankings for 2022 after an absence of two years. The publication of the rankings coincides with the World Health Organization’s recent declaration that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, thereby emphasising the return to normalcy for the association meetings industry. From ICCA…
The Events Industry Council (EIC) in partnership with Oxford Economics, has released findings from its 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events study, which measures the full scope and economic significance of the $1.6 trillion USD global business events industry. For the first-time, EIC and Oxford Economics measured the critical role business events serve…
In unsettled and volatile times, short-term efforts to strengthen organizational resilience dominate the agenda at many companies, according to a new report by global consulting firm McKinsey & Company. But business leaders also are facing a range of organizational shifts that have significant long-term implications for structures, people, and business processes… From PCMA Convene…
In this whitepaper, The Hague Convention Bureau – the official organisation that promotes The Hague as an event destination – explores the meaning of legacy. What does it mean to audiences and how can The International City of Peace & Justice and a leading destination for global association events, support clients to achieve their legacy…
The industry has changed for event planners. And with new research data available, we have a better understanding of why. These changes have a lot to do with the changing demographics of event goers — they’re continuing to get younger. So let’s dive in and meet your Next Gen Event Goers… From freeman.com…
Iceberg Partner Destinations International is asking for your help in providing critical input into their new DestinationNEXT Futures Study. The new Study, to be released in July this year, will provide: a comprehensive overview of the most significant trends affecting both leisure tourism and business events; and a list of key strategies leaders can implement…
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Interim CEO of Destination Gold Coast in Australia and speaking at AIME 2023 in Melbourne, Karen Bolinger explains that Brisbane’s winning bid for the 2032 Olympics needs to leverage the opportunity to shine a light on the Gold Coast’s assets in the Allied Health Services, Education, Creative Film, and Business sectors using key ambassadors to…
From Look Ahead Consulting, this episode of Look Ahead with Anna is dedicated to the behind-the-scenes outcomes of IMEX Frankfurt 2023 for those watching this amazing event unfold from afar. Here are Iceberg Ambassador Anna Look’s top picks, including the good, unique and controversial…
In the early 2000s, Halifax, Nova Scotia embarked on an ambitious quest to grow its life sciences ecosystem across a span of sub-sectors — including neuroscience. Nestled along the east coast of Canada, the harbour city had all the ingredients for a thriving sector… From Destination Canada…
Has the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) changed our view of how the world will develop? AI can create art no one thought existed and can change the whole academic world because some students think it’s okay to put a word programme like Jasper AI or ChatGPT to write complete essays… From Meetings International…
By Catie Owen, from Conference & Meetings World: The workforce’s latest recruits seem to be an enigma to many. Usually considered to have been born between 1997–2012, the oldest members of Generation Z are beginning to populate industries worldwide. But if that’s the case, why is the events industry failing to attract them?
By Pamela Wilton, Global Business Development at Destination Canada: As we navigate climate change, diversity and inclusion, and health and well-being, these themes have become increasingly intertwined with all aspects of our lives. Personally, I have been fortunate to delve deeper into these topics from the perspective of business events…
By James Lancaster, AMI Magazine: Associations must decide what they want an event to achieve in terms of legacy and host cities should act as nothing more than facilitating partners, according to a new white paper by Hague & Partners Convention Bureau. Cities who actively push a legacy agenda, to reap long-term local benefits…
From Boardroom Magazine: Statistician George E.P. Box coined this aphorism in relation to his own discipline, but it’s since been appropriated by almost every field of human endeavour. International Advisor to Global Association Hubs Martin Sirk explores how it applies to association business models, with a little help from his new AI assistant…
By Geoff Donaghy: Being called a leader is not something you can necessarily bestow on yourself. The title is best reflected in the observations and comments of your team and your important stakeholders. To be an effective leader requires more than just reading textbooks and following prescribed rules. From Conference & Meetings World…
In a time when over two billion people do not have access to clean drinking water and more than 700 children under the age of five die every day due to unsafe water, a more water-secure world should take center stage in all discussions aimed at our global future. From inkstickmedia.com…
Contrary to many reports that the use of digital technologies to deliver or support business events was a pandemic necessity, two of the world’s leading PCOs are steadfastly refusing to U-turn to a bygone design. Emma Bowyer of ICMS Australasia and Nicole Walker of Arinex PTE were united in their commitment to using technologies to…
Dan Assor speaks with Mike Seaman, CEO, Raccoon Media Group, a dynamic, high-growth media business focused on health and wellbeing markets. Launched in 2017, the business is dedicated to getting people from all backgrounds healthy, outside and active via its portfolio of events and media properties. From Dan Assor…
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The UFI Operations & Services Forum is a one-day event targeted at senior exhibition industry professionals from around the world. The Forum is organised by UFI’s Operations and Services Working Group, a member-driven body comprising organizers, venues, and suppliers. The Forum will take place from 13–14 June 2023, at the MECC Maastricht and is open to…
The UFI HR Management Forum is a “must-attend” event for any professional wishing to gain insight into innovative talent retention and recruitment strategies, and to discover best-practice examples from across the exhibition industry and beyond. They will join HR directors, team managers and executives who have all benefitted from taking part in past UFI HR Forums.
ICCA Business workshops are a quick and effective way to get a well-informed overview of what offers are available on the market from ICCA members and to exchange knowledge and best practices between associations and meeting suppliers. ICCA Business workshop offer an informal and small platform for associations and meeting suppliers to interact, and thus attendance is capped at 30 persons (15 ICCA…
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 Visitor Services Summit is a gathering of visitor experience and community engagement professionals. Join us this year as we focus on re-envisioning the purpose and value of the visitor center and how we engage with our communities, visitors, and residents. Learn from your peers as we share best practices, opportunities, and new innovations.
As an event organizer, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) often means bringing groups of attendees, speakers, and suppliers together from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. But there is still work to be done when it comes to activating allies both internally and externally. This work includes planning events that enact diverse, equitable, and inclusive…
The 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 starting…
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.
Every Wednesday, Iceberg Ambassador Anna Look hosts a FREE Q&A session to motivate & inspire business event professionals. Boost your week, ready to slay your 2023 sales targets with Anna’s industry trends insights and advice on tackling your specific prospecting worries. Let Anna help you get unstuck with tips, tricks and motivation.
GDS-Movement and Meet4impact changemakers, Jessica Vandy and Alexis Kereluk, and Simpleview’s Future Tourism Group lead, David Peacock, discuss how to how to build momentum and action to develop lasting positive value through sustainability efforts that continuously support more regenerative tourism on the Future of Tourism podcast. “We need to take a very careful look at…
Discover how Singapore, as a premiere business event destination, can help you organize impactful conferences. In this special Knowledge Capital Boardroom MiniCourse, Carrie Kwik, Executive Director Europe, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, explains what makes Singapore so special when it comes to organizing high-quality association events that will have long-lasting legacies both for your organization…
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.
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ICCA is proud to announce the second in-person ICCA and AC Forum Event – The Future of Healthcare Meetings. This event is part of an exciting and 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…
Global Exhibition Day (GED) and is open to everyone interested in increasing the visibility of the Exhibition Industry regionally and on a global scale. The overall theme for GED 2023 is “We run the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone”. We serve industries by facilitating contacts between exhibitors and visitors so they can showcase products…
Destinations Exchange Europe is ETOA and CityDNA’s new event focussing on the commercial, operational and people-driven development of the tourism industry. A two-day programme of pre-scheduled B2B business meetings is paired with a series of knowledge sessions dedicated to product development and optimisation, overcoming operational hurdles and effective public/private destination management, with a focus on…
Meeting in person is the single biggest driver of the UFI community. The conference is an important annual get-together of our nearly 300 member companies in Europe and other colleagues from around the world. It is an opportunity for the entire industry, UFI member or not, to meet face to face. Join the discussions with…
We are excited to launch a new one-day summit for Event Directors, limited to 50 participants from leading exhibition brands. from Europe and around the world. Co-located with the UFI European Conference, it will bring together some of our industry’s finest talent to meet and grow together. A mixture of expert talks, breakout sessions, and opportunities…
The first – and only – meetings industry event exclusively designed for planners who are sourcing meetings at venues that can support all of their needs – all in one place, under one roof. Planners and the stakeholders they support are increasingly looking for three things when they are sourcing their meetings, events and incentive…
EduCon’s energetic, immersive and provocative program attracts thought leaders, event marketers, experience designers and business events strategists from around the world. EduCon is known industrywide for its innovative approach to education — and the small-group learning that builds lasting relationships.
Meet face-to-face with hundreds of UK and global suppliers: from hotels, destinations, and destination management companies, to conference centres, venues and technology suppliers. Gain insight and inspiration from industry leaders through our comprehensive education programme. Attend countless networking events happening at the show and throughout London.
The premier hosted-buyer event designed to connect top suppliers and destinations with planners looking for creative solutions to elevate their small and boutique-sized meetings in the U.S. and beyond. Small & Boutique Meetings — Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings — bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs…
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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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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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As Head of Advocacy & Industry Relations, Natasha oversees all industry partnerships, sponsorships, pan-industry initiatives and strategic alliances for the IMEX Group. Natasha plays a key part in business events industry advocacy efforts on behalf of the IMEX Group including the prestigious IMEX Policy Forum. In this capacity she is responsible for bringing together national…
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For the last 15 years, Guy has been delivering award-winning consulting services focused on helping cities, governments, corporations and associations step up, scale up and speed up their sustainability programmes and regenerative practices. Guy’s pioneering work has been recognised with 22 sustainability awards including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, and recognition as a Fellow…
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Flavie Baudot 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 in…
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A specialized journalist in the association management field, Remi has been active in the meetings industry for more than 15 years. Together with Cecile Koch, he launched Boardroom in 2017, a niche publication specialized in association management and events. Boardroom covers a wide spectrum of issues of interest to associations based globally and is specifically targeting association…
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Gemmeke has over 15 years of experience in the meetings industry. She advises especially international associations on how to develop positive impact on the longer term with their conferences or events within Flanders (Northern Belgium) and Brussels together with the different stakeholders in the Quadruple Helix. Based in the capital of the European Union, Gemmeke…
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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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Amelia is a pioneer of BESarawak with over 21 years of branding, marketing and PR experience whose career in the sector began as a sales coordinator. Within 12 years, she helms the organisation as a CEO. Coming from the indigenous Bidayuh tribe of Sarawak, she is passionate about developing her homeland and providing opportunities for…
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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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Marta Gomes has spent nearly 20 years working in the international events and meetings industry. She has collaborated extensively with professors, association executives and destination partners to attract international congresses to Paris, one of the leading global destinations for international events. As Deputy Executive Director Sales, she is charge of sales and business development for…
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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 senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. He is a prominent business architect, enabling communities to become…
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