PRESENTS
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The congresses of the future need to have a positive, long-lasting impact at heart, not solely as a justification to travel and meet, but also to augment their contribution to stimulating and driving social and economic change. In order to achieve this, associations and destinations need concrete tools that can help them work strategically with…
It is time once again to grab your own little piece of The Iceberg! The call has just been issued for partners and ambassadors through 2021 and 2022. Iceberg Founder and Producer and James Latham believes sharing storytelling and advocacy is the best possible route to wider appreciation of the sector and its vital role in…
The 59th ICCA Congress in Kaohsiung is to showcase a unique and hybrid hub-and-spoke model, with regional events across the globe coinciding with the main congress and sharing the experience for those unable to attend it. The locations include the main host destination, along with Kuching, Cape Town, Luxembourg, Malaga and Riyadh. An all-virtual option is…
Seoul cautiously resumed business events in June, starting with exhibitions and congresses. Dental meeting SIDEX was the first large-scale example with 4,860 attendees over two days. After their firm focus on sanitation protocols, organisers confirmed two weeks later that no COVID-19 cases had arisen after it. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The Joint Meetings Industry Council, which presents The Iceberg, has released a manifesto that sets out arguments as to why business events can and should be utilised to drive economic recovery and renewal in the post-COVID-19 era. The document was assembled with the advice and input of a broad range of industry leaders. This was…
Iceberg partners ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) and BestCities Global Alliance have announced that their “Incredible Impacts” grants, which awards associations leaving lasting legacies, are to return for their fourth year in a row, with the partnership also renewed for a further three years. Incredible Impacts is now open for submissions, and presents an opportunity…
During 2018 MeetDenmark, with consultancy and Iceberg partner GainingEdge, began a major project on legacy. The study involved desk research on fifty international associations and fifty destinations as well as interviews with twenty from each of the two groups. Some of the findings on the current global landscape were published last year in the MeetDenmark…
Wedged in amongst some of Norway’s most impressive fjords, Stavanger boasts a range of water-based and engineering industries, like shipbuilding and the building of rigs, platforms and subsea installations. But energy is the key sector, and “Europe’s energy capital” has a committed convention bureau keen to attract association meetings. From Boardroom…
The legacies of business events should start early on in life. July 2019 saw a new era begin for Malaysia’s youngest children on the back of the 2nd Sarawak Conference on Inclusive Early Childhood Education. Organised by Fu Yuan Kindergarten, the three-day meeting brought together more than 800 people from over 20 countries. From Boardroom…
Toulouse recently joined Iceberg partner the Global Destination Sustainability Index, which measures and benchmarks cities’ green strategy and performance. The opening of the new LEED certified MEETT Convention Centre, scheduled for the end of 2020, shows the environmental commitment of the city’s partners. From Boardroom…
As the world’s population grows, the percentage of people living in cities is rising steadily. The future success of humanity is therefore more and more tied to, and even defined by, the future success of the city as a model. In that, of course, business events have a critical role to play. Professor Greg Clark has…
Australia’s business events landscape is surveyed here in a rich collection of articles. BESydney’s Lyn Lewis-Smith, ICC Sydney’s Geoff Donaghy, ACC’s Simon Burgess, MCEC’s Peter King, Brisbane Marketing’s Juliet Alabaster, plus the team behind JMIC’s (the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s) case studies, all offer up viewpoints. From Meetings International…
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Gateshead Council’s planning committee has approved the development of a £260 million regeneration scheme which will create around 2,000 jobs in the North East of England region, and give a £60 million boost to the local economy each year. A conference and exhibition centre is part of the Gateshead Quays scheme. From Conference News…
After news of a “milestone” vaccine that offers ninety percent protection against COVID-19 broke, the event organiser Informa became the third highest riser on the FTSE100 share index, putting on over thirty percent gains at one point before settling at 27 percent up at noon in London. Other events businesses also rose. From Conference News…
A vaccine that may stop over ninety percent of people from contracting COVID-19 could mean the return of in-person conferences and events sooner than most had anticipated. Early analysis shows the vaccine is effective and safe, and Pfizer and BioNTech will request emergency approval within this month. From Association Meetings International…
In the UK the Meetings Industry Association received formal notice that business events for up to thirty delegates are allowed to take place under the second national lockdown in England between November 5th and December 2nd 2020. Bookings had been lost after lockdown was announced. From Conference News…
Convention bureau Dubai Business Events has won several large events: the International DIP Symposium on Diabetes, Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome and Pregnancy, the Omnilife Latin America Incentive, the World Independent Advertising Award Conference, and others. From Association Meetings International…
Following years of research into the impact of major congresses, along with producing legacy reports and tools together with MeetDenmark, Copenhagen CVB has shared its Copenhagen Legacy Lab with the global meetings industry in parallel with the 59th ICCA World Congress. Copenhagen Legacy Lab is also now an Iceberg partner. From Meetings International…
Iceberg partner ICCA’s multi-hub, hybrid 59th Congress has concluded with a message of support delivered by Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg. Other highlights included the annual Copenhagen Lecture, and the creation of The Kaohsiung Protocol, a research crowdsourced framework for recovery. From Conference News…
More than 525,000 jobs are now at risk across the £84 billion UK events and experiences industry, and three out of four companies could fail to survive beyond next February, the government has been warned. The impact on around 774,000 working in business events was laid out in research given to ministers. From Conference News…
The Vienna Tourist Board has been celebrating the success of its recent Vienna Tourism Conference, which welcomed more than 200 in-person guests and over 1,000 virtually. This was the first on location meeting the organisation had held since the start of the pandemic, with strict health and safety protocols in place. From Association Meetings International…
Melbourne will be showcasing scientific know-how after winning bids for two major congresses. The city will host the International Mass Spectrometry Conference 2024 and also the International Symposium on Lepton and Photon Interactions in 2023. The two events will deliver AU$13.2 million to the state. From Association Meetings International…
Malaysia has proved the show must go on after winning several major association meetings. Convention and exhibition bureau MyCEB has secured 46 bids for meetings and events over the last three months, including international conventions such as the Asian-Ocean Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2024. From Association Meetings International…
The owner of one of the UK’s largest convention centres is set to make 450 redundancies after reporting “almost zero revenues” due to the coronavirus pandemic. NEC Group, which owns ICC Birmingham and other venues including the National Exhibition Centre, is planning to cut its workforce by 55 percent. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Showing Featured JMIC Case Studies
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This project collected, analysed and synthesised the findings of all prior Joint Meetings Industry Council Case Studies to deliver a verdict on the broader contributions that conferences, congresses, trade shows, convention centres and bureaux deliver to destinations, communities, industries and economies. The cases were drawn from four continents: Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. The…
The China-LAC Summit is an annual meeting organised by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is a key entrepreneurial event for companies from China and the Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Punta del Este Convention and Exhibition Center in Uruguay hosted the 11th edition of the…
The EuroHeartCare conference is one of the most important platforms for driving research publications, exchanging ideas, and forming and deepening collaborations within the field of cardiovascular nursing in Europe. It aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering the best care possible to patients with cardiovascular disease. The 2017 edition was hosted by Jönköping University in…
The study explores the benefits and barriers for individual researchers and universities when hosting research conferences. The study has been commissioned by the Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy – an advisory body to the Danish Minister of Higher Education and Science. Thereby the study situates the hosting of research conferences as a potential…
London Tech Week is a festival of live events taking place once a year across the United Kingdom capital. Having been held now for four years, it has become a key gathering for the ICT industry in London. It connects the entire tech ecosystem both within the city and beyond, shapes the future of the…
Many international convention centres use sophisticated methods to measure the economic impact of business events in their host cities. Others recognise the importance of food in customer experience and promote programs like paddock to plate or food miles. ICC Sydney marries these two concepts together and takes them to a new level by measuring the…
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In all of the Dashboard surveys, PCMA Convene’s goal has been to get its arms around how the industry is handling the pandemic and moving forward. This time around, it decided to get more to the point, so simply asked respondents “what best describes how you’re feeling right now”? The most popular answer among the…
The IMEX Group has published a research report that urges the global meetings, incentive travel and events industry to adopt a new economic model… the circular economy. The Regenerative Revolution – A New Paradigm for Event Management calls on the global events industry to embrace circular design thinking and to understand the principles and power…
Has COVID-19 forced a new digital era in medical education? What do healthcare professionals (HCPs) really think about virtual scientific congresses? As the life sciences industry and medical associations prepare for a world in which virtual attendance becomes part of the “new normal”, the International Pharmaceutical Congress Advisory Association (IPCAA) and global healthcare meetings specialist,…
A new report published by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), which presents The Iceberg, offers the most comprehensive assessment yet of meetings industry activities addressing the full range of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The program was an extension of an initiative begun by Iceberg partner UFI, the global association of the…
When the lockdowns began in the US in March, it was hoped COVID-19 would be well under control by the autumn. As we enter the last quarter of 2020, we have come to accept that we will be living with COVID-19 well into 2021 and perhaps 2022, that its effects on the economy will linger,…
Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance has collaborated with associations and destinations around the world to build new research around a “legacy language” and impact measurement indicators. This highly ambitious and innovative project involved an extensive study with over fifty interviews and surveys with destinations and associations across the world from a broad spectrum of sectors and disciplines….
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The “new normal” notwithstanding, the preference across the industry for holding in-person meetings is clear. So what do both venues and destination marketing organisations need to focus on to maximise their attendance in-person now as hybrid meetings proliferate? Sarah Fleming, Managing Director of Sarah Fleming Associates, has some ideas on the subject. From Sarah Fleming…
The pause of face-to-face events has left a void of connection not fully filled by the switch to digital. Designers have to help guests feel more connected as they meet again. Iceberg partner Maritz Global Events’ Chief Behavioural Officer Charlotte Blank and Enterprise VP for Design Studio Greg Bogue explain. From Maritz Global Events…
Now a COVID-19 vaccine seems imminent after months cooped up indoors on Zoom, the release from getting back face-to-face will feel better than ever. We’ll want to meet, travel, see people and everything in between. But that is not a reason to throw our obligations to the planet away. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
2020 has been crushing for the DMO (destination management organisations). Destinations in the US have endured wiped-out funds as a result of zero hotel occupancy, en-masse event cancellations, and double-digit layoffs, not to mention further challenges with social unrest and also, for some, natural disasters. 2020 has brought the DMO to the brink. From PCMA…
Iceberg partner Global Association Hubs’ International Advisor Martin Sirk interviewed four association leaders in preparation for an online education session during the recent #PlanetIMEX event. They discussed how the pandemic has impacted operations, is reshaping thinking, and what international meetings might look like in future. From Boardroom…
For 55 years the Austrian Society for Labour Law and Social Law has held its annual conference in Salzburg. This year proved no different. The conference was postponed from April until October to make sure it could be live under the belief that unrecorded public speaking is freer and “off-the-cuff”. From Association Meetings International…
The Netherlands Tourism Board recently hosted a meeting called “Dis-Connect”. Association, venue and destination professionals joined a virtual workshop staged live at the museum of the Royal Delft pottery factory. They painted white tiles with blue paint in the style of the famous “Delftware” produced in the town since the 17th century. From PCMA…
UFI’s NGL Grant promotes the next generation of leadership within the exhibition sector, rewarding young professionals who show initiative driving change and innovation in their own area. 2020’s recipients have been saying why they applied for the Iceberg partner scheme, and also discussing the role that hybrid offerings play in the sector. From UFI…
Once the supply of event food was determined by the consumer. If a planner asked to have strawberries over winter or New Zealand lamb in Scotland, their whims were granted. Now more event venues around the world are implementing sustainable practices. Here’s a special report on those taking sustainability seriously. From Association Meetings International…
Kai Hattendorf, the MD and CEO of Iceberg partner UFI, the exhibitions industry’s global association, has just been a guest on the AMI Deep Dive podcast. Talking to AMI editor James Lancaster, he discusses the impact of the pandemic on the sector, its longterm future, plus advocating economic value to government. From Association Meetings International…
A medical association has taken its annual congress on the road so as to avoid any mass gathering of its members. The Italian Society of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Intensive Care and Resuscitation toured from Turin to Bari, visiting major hospitals as well in Bologna, Brescia, Padua, Milan, Naples and capital Rome. From Association Meetings International…
Like many other organisations, the American Psychological Association quickly switched its in-person 2020 annual convention to an all-virtual event because of COVID-19. Even though the pivot happened in just three months, it was decided from the start to make the August event better than it could possibly have been on site. From PCMA…
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ECM wants to continue to empower the conversation during this unprecedented situation with a new initiative, “A New Tomorrow”. The purpose is to share ideas and challenges, find inspiration in new practice and different approaches, and envision together with all of our members, a new future of destinations rebuilt and conventions reimagined to meet new…
Enhance your career with short, industry courses or build organizational capabilities with relevant company learning for immediate impact. Our extensive on-site training and coaching programmes are now online to make them more easily accessible for business event professionals anywhere. The content has been specifically designed for convention bureaus, convention centres and any suppliers to the…
We have created a library of resources to not only help you through COVID-19 but also to ensure that you’re ready to get back to face-to-face business on the other side. Because there will be another side. You’ll find webinars and videos from key industry professionals, providing you with the great insights you need to keep…
JMIC, together with AIME, IBTM, IMEX and Meetings Africa, have released a 2-part webinar showcasing the industry speaking with one voice. All the major trade shows for our industry, leaders of associations and leading experts in our sector haved united to put together a joint message – to governments, decision makers, stakeholders – about the…
Welcome to our all-inclusive video hub for associations. Learn anytime, anywhere, at your own pace. Our video minicourses, all given by specialised experts, have been structured into easily managed content which will help you overcome any challenge you might have. New courses will be added every month.
UFI connects is a way to stay connected, to get through this pandemic, and to be ready for the time afterwards. It is a programme of regular talks, panels, and webinar sessions – organized by the UFI team for you. Recordings of previous sessions are available to view.
Access our free library of industry-leading templates and checklists to guide you through every stage of your international conference planning. Read the latest industry trends, opinion pieces and best-practice guides to shaping international events, straight from some of the world’s foremost experts. Read the latest industry trends, opinion pieces and best-practice guides to shaping international events,…
Maritz Global Events’ resource library gives industry professionals the latest insights about solving their greatest challenges; experts share their insights on the value of face-to-face meetings and events, the journey to take your event global, and the power of experience design thinking.
Join us for this special ASAE Business Solutions spotlight session focused on new integration software brought to you by HighRoad Solutions, provider of the ASAE-Endorsed Digital Marketing Solution. See firsthand how Spark can help make journey-based, goal-tied marketing and communications possible and put the power of your data into your marketers’ hands. In this spotlight session,…
Immerse yourself in new, interactive opportunities designed to help move your organization forward at this year’s revitalized Technology Exploration Conference. Get real-world experience in our new, hands-on tech training seminar and attend a series of learning sessions and demos from the best in the industry. Discover how the latest technology can drive your organization to…
This session will provide an overview of the four components of emotional intelligence, framed by the foundational psychological theories. Attendees will learn the importance of EI in the workplace, how to foster the key EI behaviors in themselves and others, how to use EI to be effective at work, and other key tips. This interactive…
Delivered by a faculty of industry experts, the UFI-EMS will combine both global insights and regional expertise – following the clearly articulated need for education that adapts a global curriculum to the specific regional and local needs. The curriculum was developed jointly with the UFI community, making it a programme designed by exhibition organisers for exhibition organisers.
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This event will see ICCA Asia Pacific Chapter – the largest Chapter in ICCA’s global membership with nearly 300 members coming in full force, enabling Xiamen to showcase its local expertise to international attendees to encourage collaboration, innovation and business exchange. In turn, Asia Pacific delegates will be provided with opportunities to advance their knowledge…
(By invitation only.) The Global CEO Summit, is one of UFI’s most prestigious events. It serves as the exhibition industry’s annual curtain raiser event for the most senior executives worldwide, offering top-level content, dialogues, and excellent networking. The GCS is an invitation-only event for CEOs and equivalents from international exhibition organisers and venue operators.
A new starting point for exhibitions is here… Recognition and celebration is what we all need right now, but the awards signifies something much more important, it will give us a template and new starting point in which we can kick start awards in a face-to-face environment and not just with confidence but with style!…
A minimum of 10 and maximum 15 ICCA venues each invite an association executive to the Workshop to discuss their specific meeting requirements. Association executives must conform to strict selection criteria, so ensuring that participating venues can promote their company and services to senior decision-makers who are actively looking for destinations and venues. No other…
Come and join us for the best attended and most loved events industry showcase! It’s a tough time for our industry and we will certainly have some mountains to climb post COVID-19, it will be more important than ever that we unite for 2 days of knowledge sharing, networking and inspiration. Discover over 300 event,…
Dedicated to the live events industry, EPS bring together event professionals from every sector; from concert promoters, festival organisers, production companies, corporate event planners, charities, experiential and marketing agencies, local authorities, government bodies and everything in between and beyond. Visitors can experience a showcase of the latest products and services and find everything they need…
The modern PA, VA and EA are at the epicentre of the companies and industries they serve. Long gone are the days of limited power and influence, the modern assistant carries strong responsibilities and has a powerful place as the backbone of their company. The PA Show exists to support an incredible number of talented…
AIME is the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is when industry decision makers connect, create and do business across the whole Asia Pacific region. We have developed a show model that combines virtual and live event components, to ensure the industry can still meet, exchange…
A minimum of 10 and maximum 15 ICCA venues each invite an accompanying association executive to the Business Workshop to discuss their specific meeting requirements. Association executives must conform to strict selection criteria, so ensuring that participating venues can promote their company and services to senior decision-makers who are actively looking for destinations, venues and…
IBTM Americas is the international trade show for the meetings and events industry where the decision makers connect and do business across North America, Latin America, Europe and beyond. IBTM Americas brings together the who’s who of the events industry to meet in Mexico City for two days of inspiration, networking and education. All under…
The heartbeat of the global business events community. Expect expert speakers, brand-new ideas and plentiful inspiration at 250-plus educational and networking events – and an exhilarating exhibition. For fresh insights, different perspectives and new ways of thinking from experts inside and outside the industry. Share knowledge, look at future trends and create bold ideas.
IBTM Asia Pacific is the leading event for the meetings and events industry in the region bringing together a high calibre group of international, APAC regional and local meeting planners and exhibitors for two days of pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings, education and networking. The event is under-pinned by IBTM’s sophisticated, industry-leading Hosted Buyer programme which…
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As Senior Advocacy & Industry Relations Manager, Natasha oversees all industry partnerships and association education at both IMEX shows. In 2016, in addition to her existing responsibilities she took the helm of the IMEX Policy Forum and assumed her current advocacy role. In this role she works closely with the UNWTO (the United Nations World…
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Geoff Donaghy is CEO of Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue, ICC Sydney, which since its opening has been successfully attracting local, national and international visitors with its focus on high quality events, local produce and commitment to service excellence. He is also the Director of Convention Centres for leading venue management specialists, AEG…
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Based in The Netherlands, Ben Goedegebuure serves as global general manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Maritz Global Events. In his role, Ben provides counsel and supports global strategic solutions for clients, and contributes to the company’s business development, industry presence and thought leadership efforts. In addition, he oversees the Maritz Global…
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Gillian Taylor has over 25 years-experience in the meetings industry spanning from Australia to the Arabian Gulf. Recently returned to Australia, Gillian is now Head of Business Development and Marketing at Arinex, Architects of Inspiring Experiences, one of Australia’s leading Professional Conference Organisers, and the 2020 winner of the Meetings Events Australia Awards for National PCO…
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Jane Vong Holmes is Senior Manager – Asia of GainingEdge, GainingEdge, a consultancy specialising in the business events industry since 2004, and a proud Partner of The Iceberg. Jane has been part of the consulting team on several GainingEdge projects in Asia, working with bureaus, tourism offices and convention centres in Hangzhou, Japan, Malaysia, South…
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With 32 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Schirmacher leads Experient’s strategic plan development and implementation, as well as industry presence for Maritz Global Events. He was awarded the company’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, in 2005, and was inducted into the Colorado Meetings Hall of Fame in 2011 with the Lifetime Achievement Award….
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A founding member of ICC Sydney’s leadership team, Sam developed the communications and marketing strategies that have resulted in establishing one of the business events industry’s strongest brands. Story-telling, building emotional connection and strong stakeholder engagement have been core to ICC Sydney’s successful brand development throughout its pre-opening, launch and operational phases. Sam steered the…
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At MCEC, we’re passionate about creating inspirational environments. We do this by delivering a personalised service and partnering with our customers to offer ideas, insights and imaginative solutions. We tailor every experience because we realise it’s the little details that make all the difference. Our people are at the heart of who we are and…
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I just celebrated my 25th anniversary here at Maritz Global Events. During this quarter of a century time frame I saw people come and go but I chose to stay because I consider working at MGE a career development journey not a job. I believe strongly what my mentor Professor Saar who used to teach…
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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, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, and Bogota. Currently, Kai also serves as Honorary President of the Joint…
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Lesley joined BestCities in 2017 as Market Development Director and took up the position of Managing Director in January 2020 following the decision of BestCities to award extending the management contract to GainingEdge. Lesley is a strong supporter and advocate of the beyond tourism impacts of meetings. In 2017 BestCities formed a collaboration with ICCA…
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Shane has more than 15 years’ experience of working in the global travel industry. After a period in financial conference sales straight after university, Shane joined the international sales team at Reed Exhibitions, where he worked across multiple events and industries. In 2006, he got his first taste of the meetings industry when he moved…
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