PRESENTS
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Dear Business & Professional Event Sector (BE) Stakeholders, Industry leaders co-created The Iceberg in 2017 as the chosen metaphor for highlighting both the tourism benefits of events, but also the social, economic, and societal impacts aligned to the purpose of them. Thanks to funding support from the sector leadership, The Iceberg has used the intervening…
From Skift Meetings: Robert F. Kennedy is promising big changes to the healthcare industry if he is confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services. When it comes to medical meetings, plenty is at stake. In 2023, $8 billion was spent on medical meetings, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). There…
From Undark: The COP conference is growing in size, but not in action on climate goals, critics say. Experts suggest major reforms. If speeches and slogans could save the climate, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, would already be a success. But there are few signs the current round of climate talks will deliver on the only…
From Meetings International: The Belgian city of Antwerp has been a central trading hub for centuries and is home to Europe’s second-largest port. It is also the capital of the diamond trade and the world’s second-largest petrochemical cluster. The city is also known for its legacy of fine art, design, contemporary architecture, and fashion, and…
From Skift Meetings: Despite skepticism from critics, proponents argue convention centers are vital economic drivers that support local businesses, tourism, and hospitality industries. Cities spend billions to build and renovate large convention centers – is it worth it? That’s the question raised by a recent New York Times article. According to Skift Meetings research, 22…
From Skift Meetings: Cvent has slowly but surely created a behemoth of an industry event, showing no signs of slowing down. The 2024 edition of Cvent CONNECT Europe wrapped up on Thursday at the Hilton London Metropole. Over three days, the event tech giant pulled off the impressive feat of orchestrating what is now by…
From The Economist: Had Kamala Harris won on November 5th, Europe would have heaved a huge sigh of relief, turned over, and promptly gone back to sleep. Donald Trump’s first presidency, followed by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, had served as a pair of noisy wake-up calls, forcing Germany’s chancellor,…
From Skift Meetings: With a Barefoot Business yacht cruise in Croatia and its own Slack channel, Club Ichi might just be the sexiest group to ever hit the meetings industry. But is it – and are other communities like it – a threat to industry associations? Liz Lathan, Nicole Osibodu and Kamryn Bryce started Club…
From M&IT: The IBTM World Forum for Advocacy promises to be a crucial moment for the industry, according to Martin Fullard, director, The Business of Events. In an industry that contributes over US$1.6 trillion to the global economy, the true value of business events extends far beyond the staggering financial statistics. A preview of The…
From GDS-Movement: In mid-October, the historic city of Bruges hosted the second edition of the GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference, organised by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and CityDNA (City Destinations Alliance) in collaboration with Visit Bruges. Held under the theme, “Let Pigs Fly,” the event took on the playful yet ambitious challenge to…
From HQ Magazine: ‘Disruption’, ‘holistic approach’, ‘retargeting’, ‘added-value’, each industry has its own buzzwords in order to navigate discourses and guide collective thought processes. Words are essential to instigate organised reactions, to sew in letters a manifesto, but if they are stripped of their real meaning and chewed on incessantly, they end up falling into…
From Northstar Meetings Group: IMEX America 2024, the events industry’s largest trade show, revealed a strong outlook for 2025 meetings and incentives, with a growing emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, technology, wellness and sports events. Held Oct. 8-10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, IMEX America drew a record 15,500 visitors. The event,…
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From The Hill: Welcome to The Hill’s annual list of top lobbyists. The lobbyists on this list are some of the best in the business and have been go-to advocates during a year defined by unprecedented political events, legislative logjams, federal spending cut crusades and big rulemaking swings by the outgoing Biden administration. But Washington…
From PCMA: What drives a person to become an advocate for justice and a catalyst for change? In a world that often calls for bold leadership, a few voices rise above, unafraid to challenge norms and champion human rights. Internationally acclaimed lawyer and human rights advocate, Amal Clooney, is one of those voices. We are…
By Julius Solaris, Events Consultant and Creator, Boldpush: This event changed the way I look at stage design for good. Enter the Hub. One of the most exciting ways to do business events I’ve seen this year. Mark my words. You will see many events looking like this in 2025. How does it work? The…
From Exhibition World: UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, welcomed 600 delegates from 55+ countries and regions to its 91st Global Congress in Cologne, Germany, 20-23 November. According to UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf, the numbers matched Shanghai 2016, which had been the best attended Congress to date. Hosted by Koelnmesse, delegates, included members…
From Travel & Tour World: The 2024 edition of IBTM World surpassed its previous milestones, celebrating the remarkable potential of human connection in the global events industry. This year’s event facilitated over 73,000 pre-scheduled business meetings, marking a 19% increase compared to 2023. Additionally, countless spontaneous networking moments unfolded across the exhibition floor. Visitor attendance…
From Net Zero Carbon Events: Following the release of the Industry Roadmap at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh and the launch of the Measurement Methodology in December 2023, Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) confirmed its latest development at this year’s COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan: the integration of NZCE methodology into the UN’s reference tool for…
From Travel & Tour World: The IBTM World Forum for Advocacy, in partnership with The Business of Events, convened 80 senior leaders and policymakers from across the globe on Monday to delve into the economic and social effects of global business events. Hosted at the Torre Melina Gran Melia Hotel in Barcelona, the event sparked…
The Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) is proud to announce Sonia Serracarbassa, Director of the Catalan Convention Bureau, as the recipient of the prestigious JMIC Profile & Power Award 2024. This award recognises her exceptional contributions to advancing the Meetings Industry’s awareness and influence both locally and globally. With over 15 years of experience at…
From Business Event Sydney: International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC) has confirmed Sydney will be host to the conference in 2025 making it the fourth year the conference will been held in the city, where it has subsequently seen a 35% increase in speakers and delegates. Since the move to Sydney, IMARC has…
From TravelDailyNews: UN Tourism and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will host the first Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in Hoi An, focusing on using tourism for rural upliftment and inclusive growth. UN Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, will convene global and local leaders,…
From TSNN: Organized by Informa Markets with Informa Connect as co-organizer, Connect Marketplace Hong Kong is launching March 19-21, 2025, at AsiaWorld-Expo. The inaugural Asia Pacific event for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) community marks the debut of Connect Marketplace in Asia, aiming to elevate experiences and shape the future of the industry….
From The Washington Post: Roughly 100 world leaders are traveling to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the U.N. Climate Change Conference — even as scores are skipping the annual talks, known this year as COP29. In a Tuesday address before world leaders speak at the summit, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres described the previous year as a…
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From BestCities: The Velo-city Conference, organized by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), is the world’s leading annual event for cycling advocates and city planners. Each year, it brings together more than 1,500 delegates from over 60 countries—policy-makers, industry leaders, academics, and everyday cyclists—to drive forward change in urban mobility. This case study explores how Velo-city…
From #MEET4IMPACT: The ICCA Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi is committed to transforming the global business events (BE) industry by setting new standards for sustainability, innovation, and social impact. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), ICCA, GDS-Movement, and #MEET4IMPACT the Congress aims to position…
From The Business of Events: Making workplaces more inclusive for women was the main focus of the WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) Conference held at IET London: Savoy Place, on Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Managing…
From ICCA and BestCities: The Hip Preservation Society (ISHA)’s 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting ignited a transformative movement to elevate awareness of hip preservation surgery in Africa, showcasing its profound impact on patient quality of life and socioeconomic benefits. Through meaningful engagement with stakeholders, it tackled the challenges and barriers that hindered adoption. By identifying passionate…
From ICCA and BestCities: The European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD)’s 36th Annual Meeting inspired a vision for a better future for individuals with childhood-onset disabilities. The event celebrated excellence in research and education while raising vital awareness of their needs and rights. Through the impactful EACD+ programme, it expanded access to sports, culture, and…
From ICCA and BestCities: The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)’s 2024 World Congress championed the protection and promotion of journalists’ and publishers’ rights to maintain free, independent, and sustainable media. The event inspired innovation, equipping members to navigate technological advancements and evolving audience behaviors. It boldly tackled news avoidance among young and marginalized demographics,…
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Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET), operators of the globally renowned Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, have released their Annual Report and Impact Report, highlighting their important role in driving economic, social and environmental impact. In 2023-24, MCET generated $777 million in economic impact…
From M&IT: There has been notable growth in budget stability and economic impact for business events across developed regions, according to the Global Destination Report 2024. Commissioned by The Business of Events, this year’s report has again been produced in collaboration with SFA Connect, ICC Belfast, and IBTM World, with a focus on insights from…
From Forbes: A new study promises a positive outlook for the meetings and events industry next year. American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) published its 14th annual Global Meetings and Events Forecast to provide a look ahead to the coming year. The forecast is based on a combination of interviews with industry experts and…
From M&IT: The vast majority (87 per cent) of CEOs of firmly believe that technology will never replace the value of strategically important face-to-face meetings, according to new research. The survey from flexible workspace provider International Workplace Group highlights how business executives are prioritising strategically important meetings for corporate spend. However, routine meetings between global…
From M&IT: Planners in Western Europe are largely optimistic about the current state of the sector – and are increasingly looking further afield for event destinations, according to the latest Cvent survey. The 2025 Cvent Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition reveals that 90 per cent of planners feel positive about the current state of the…
Today, the Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, released its quarterly Global Events Barometer for Q2 2024. The numbers reflect positive momentum for the global business events industry in almost every region around the world. In 2024 Q2, the hotel group room nights index increased to 106. This represents…
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From IMEX: Destination Canada were the winners of the 2023 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award. Presented during IMEX Frankfurt, the award honors outstanding achievements in sustainable innovation in the business events industry. IMEX Brand Ambassador, Tanja Knecht spoke to Virginie De Visscher, Executive Director Business Events, Destination Canada about their winning project, the Canadian Business…
From Meetings International, by Roger Kellerman: IBTM World 2024 was perhaps one of the best IBTM fairs I have experienced in my 20 years at the show. It surpassed last year’s success, with over 73,000 pre-scheduled meetings (an increase of over 19 per cent compared to 2023), but these figures should be taken with a…
From UFI: We’re excited to share our interview with The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and Minister for Outdoor Recreation of the State of Victoria, Australia. This conversation offers a blueprint for integrating sustainability with impactful policymaking as Minister Dimopoulos discusses Victoria’s leading strategies to host world-class…
By Sahil Buch, Company Secretary, Dubai Financial Market: As I look back on leading the inaugural BE Ambassadors Programme at the 63rd ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi, I’m overwhelmed with pride and gratitude. What began as a vision to involve students in the Business Events industry has evolved into something far more significant—a movement to…
From Skift Meetings | Panos Tzivanidis, Director of Corporate Events and Services for the International Olympic Committee shares lessons learned from the 2024 Paris Games: Skift Meetings had the opportunity to chat with Panos Tzivanidis, the Director of Corporate Events and Services for IOC, the International Olympic Committee. Tzivanidis and his team are responsible for…
By Rod Cameron (pictured above), President, Criterion Communications Inc: There is a lot of satisfaction at seeing the lights going on as a new perspective on an old topic is revealed and illustrated. At the same time it demonstrates why positive change is often so difficult to achieve in many parts of our industry. I…
From Outrage+Optimism Podcast: This week, our hosts talk about what’s been happening – and not happening – in Rio and Baku. Christiana clarifies the mandate of COPs and advocates for COP processes and presidencies to be separate from national positions and interests while robustly defending multi-lateralism. The hosts discuss how world leaders meeting in Rio…
From Exhibition Showcase: You’ve served as the Executive Director for Conferences and Events at ExCeL London for over 21 years. How have you seen the role of venues like ExCeL evolve in the face of changing event formats, particularly hybrid and virtual events? James Rees: Over the period since I joined Excel London, our everyday…
From Conference & Meetings World: Can business events play a role in helping to tackle global issues like over-tourism? This is one of the topics to be discussed at this month’s IBTM World Forum for Advocacy, in partnership with The Business of Events. Eloísa Urrutia (pictured), head of global sustainability, meetings & events at American…
From Smart Meetings: Chantal Sturk-Nadeau’s blond locks are a familiar sight at meetings industry conferences. She served as executive director of business events with Destination Canada for no less than 7 years, with Tourism Winnipeg for 17 years before that and at a production company before that. For her next chapter, she was looking for…
From AMI Magazine, by Holly Patrick: If association meetings can no longer be excluded from the overtourism conversation, what can be done to mitigate their impact on already strained infrastructures and frustrated residents? Overtourism, when tourism exceeds physical, ecological, social, economic, psychological, and political boundaries, has historically been associated with leisure tourists. But as thousands…
By Matthias Schultze, Managing Director, German Convention Bureau: A couple of years back, a figure caught my eye: According to the World Economic Forum, digital solutions, if brought to scale, could reduce global emissions by 20% by 2050 in the three highest-emitting sectors energy, materials and mobility. Applying this to the business events sector, it…
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Earning the Events Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Planner designation showcases your industry expertise to employers and clients and enhances prestige among peers. However, with the last standardized exam in the rearview mirror for many, navigating the CMP-International Standards (CMP-IS) and related study material can be intimidating. This course from the long-time leaders in professional development…
The Northstar Leadership Forum brings together the industry’s thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices. Our forum is unlike any other industry gathering: A unique, high-level experience where business relationships and friendships are forged. Hosted at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble…
Held ahead of the BestCities Global Forum in Dublin, Ireland this new groundbreaking training programme, part of the ICCASkills certification programme. This initiative will add valuable enhanced capabilities to the skillsets of association professionals worldwide, enabling them to design, deliver, and measure the impacts of their activities. If you are interested in attending this event,…
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. PLEASE NOTE: An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for…
The Knowledge Program is a ticketed event for Hosted Buyers, Hosted Media and Exhibitors. Visitor Buyers may purchase an upgrade to attend this program. The theme for 2025, “We Matter!” seeks to highlight and celebrate the global business events industry as a powerful catalyst for economic growth. Keynote speakers from AIME’s speaker bureau partners, along…
The AIPC Academy is the only comprehensive professional development program specifically serving the needs of international convention centre managers! Designed to address the critical need for centres to maintain fully qualified staff in a highly competitive industry, the AIPC Academy provides a targeted, cost effective form of training and development along with the means to…
At IMEX you can enjoy expert education, explore the latest event trends and experience your most productive days of the year. Whether you’re an events newbie or a pro (or anything in between), IMEX is exactly where you need to be. Discover 200 free education sessions at IMEX Frankfurt. More information coming soon in 2025.
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
The CDME program prepares senior executives, who want to advance their careers to blend theory with experience and application of knowledge to help industry leaders thrive in a constantly changing environment. The program focus is on vision, leadership, productivity and implementing business strategies. An approved CDME Application is required prior to registering for courses. Please…
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The Northstar Leadership Forum brings together the industry’s thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices. Our forum is unlike any other industry gathering: A unique, high-level experience where business relationships and friendships are forged. Hosted at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble…
Go beyond your orbit this January, where event professionals unite to shape our industry’s future, together. Convening Leaders is more than a conference — it’s a launchpad for your next leap. It’s YOUR opportunity to pioneer new paths and build connections that will propel you and your organization forward. Join decision-makers across the event industry…
As a gathering that champions the power of face-to-face interactions, this forum promises enriching workshops and sessions designed to both challenge and inspire attendees. Planners will benefit from unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers from diverse industries and explore innovative approaches to meeting design, sustainability, and impact. All whilst getting to know the 13 BestCities…
This focused event will provide you with an opportunity for open, peer-group discussion of current trends, issues and concerns relating to city tourism. Through this event, we provide a platform for you, all our CEO members to discuss sensitive issues or proprietary strategies. This facilitates decision-making in an environment of trust and openness among top…
The summit is the preeminent gathering place of marketing, communications and public relations professionals dedicated to helping destination organizations thrive. Sign up to get email alerts when additional information is released about the next summit.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is where industry decision makers connect, create and do business. We bring together international and local event planners and connect them with the best destinations, venues and event suppliers from…
Connect with global destination organisation and convention bureau leaders in a series of meaningful conversations designed to drive impactful outcomes. This exclusive invitation only event offers the chance to be part of pioneering discussions on sustainability, social inclusion, and the future of global tourism. Experience unparalleled insights from world-renowned speakers, including Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS,…
UFI is excited to bring our Asia-Pacific Conference to Australia for the first time in the history of this event. Co-located with the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) and the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) Leaders Forum, this conference offers an exceptional programme packed with opportunities to engage in dynamic discussions on today’s most…
Join your industry colleagues at CEO Summit and learn how to navigate and overcome the complexities of your role. You will hear from thought leaders about the areas that stand out in our industry as topics to discuss in-depth in order to come up with strategies and solutions. Enjoy and learn from inspirational conversations with…
City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA) is a knowledge sharing alliance for cities and urban areas. With a holistic approach, our vision is for all cities in Europe to flourish. We are open and visionary, and want to inspire. We believe in sharing, and see our alliance as a community, a family, where we all work together….
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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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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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Loren Christie brings more than 25 years of experience in Tourism & Hospitality to his role as Managing Director of the BestCities Global Alliance. He held various leadership positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts during his 17 year career with them including Director of Sales for International Congress, Business Transient and Leisure Sales at the…
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A passionate and dedicated leader, Carina Bauer is the CEO of the IMEX Group – an organisation responsible for organising the leading global trade shows for the international business events industry. Carina is passionate about the business events sector and its impact on the world, taking a particular interest in issues around sustainability, diversity and…
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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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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…
Working out of both USA and Netherlands; projects in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America, with a mix of clients including IMEX, UFI, SITE and other international associations and meetings companies. Expert Advisor to tech start-up Kubify, Strategic Relations Advisor to IASP, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and International Advisor to…
Jane loves life in the Nordics and the spirit of Scotland. Her expertise is based on 20 years of experience across the global meetings industry. Over this time she has been fortunate to have gained wonderful experience and friends from working for some great hotels, a convention centre, a destination marketing organisation, a PCO, and…
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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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Gary has over 30 years’ experience in the convention industry. In 2004 he founded GainingEdge, a global consulting company that offers advisory services in relation to destinations, convention bureaus and convention and exhibition centres. It also provides convention and incentive sales representation services in all of the world’s key markets. The company’s services are end-to-end,…
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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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