“The best way to predict the future is to create it”
Management guru Peter Drucker’s most famous quote might be the perfect slogan for the Business Events sector in these dangerously uncertain times. It’s easy to become paralysed by the 24-7 newsfeeds with their almost universally downbeat content, to conclude that we in the meetings world are helpless bystanders facing irresistible economic and geopolitical currents, that we have to accept our future business environment as a fait accompli.
The reality is far more optimistic: business events still matter, particularly in times of stress and crisis, when they matter profoundly. And our industry has the potential to deliver even greater positive societal impact in future. To achieve this, we believe every organiser and host destination should adopt the central thesis of The Iceberg, and focus on maximising the “below the waterline” impact and value of their meetings – scientific progress and healthcare improvements, inward investment and economic development, business efficiencies and creative new partnerships, cross-cultural understanding and peaceful resolutions. These are the impacts that will last far beyond any conflict.
The Iceberg has been created for two reasons: to share data and stories needed for a deeper understanding of our sector and its role amongst policymakers, destination leaders, event owners and industry insiders; and to point the direction forward with inspiring examples of impactful events, ground-breaking new business models, thought-provoking insights and rigorous research.
In our Features this month our authors offer insights into bed tax and subventions, suggest new ways to calculate event value, analyse how to achieve long-term political buy-in to business events strategies, and of course take a good, hard look at geopolitics and suggest new frameworks for coping with risk.
In Case Studies we explore how Ireland has used a conference on Newborn Brain Science to practically improve neonatal care whilst building a global intellectual reputation; we examine how and why three associations – ESID, EMA and SIOPE – decided to jointly launch a new international event focused on their areas of intellectual overlap; open up access to UFI’s tradeshow best practices archive; and hear how Queensland is inspiring next generation leaders in bio-innovation.
Under Reports & Research, you’ll find New Zealand and Canadian event impact studies; a totally new way to rank destinations in the world of trade shows; and two very different German reports with important new perspectives on the future evolution of our industry.
As always, our Opinions section contains a wealth of carefully argued and emotionally held views (sometimes simultaneously!) on a wide range of key industry issues: using accurate terminology to avoid green-washing; predictions of a multilingual-by-default future; why business events are the perfect antidote to AI-slop and disinformation; why veracity should replace volume in our metrics; how to bridge the industry-academia divide; how to defend against unfair negative media coverage. And much more.
This month, our News section cannot entirely escape the negative tenor of what’s happening in the Gulf, in Ukraine, in the airline world, in US immigration queues, but there are plenty of positive stories about new advocacy initiatives and strategic success stories to provide a sense of balance: check out how the Irish are reinventing their approach to Conference Ambassadors by tying subvention policy to sustainability and social impact, for example, and enjoy The Iceberg’s review of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event – AIME 2026.
Please look after yourselves, support your colleagues whose organisations or companies or destinations are facing tough times, and keep believing in your power to shape the future of business events!
The Curator
P.S. One practical way you can shape the future is to participate in the forthcoming GDS Forum & Impact Day, taking place 16 – 18 June 2026 in Szczecin, Poland!
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60 years young: that’s the spirit of Melbourne Convention Bureau, one of the world’s most successful and innovative DMOs. The MCEC – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – is a relative youngster with only 30 years under its belt, but the venue laid out its ambitions at birth by achieving a six Green Star sustainable…
Gatheringpoint’s David Adler suggests answers to the conundrum of managing two conflicting realities simultaneously: projecting confidence to the market, whilst making real-time decisions behind the scenes. Exercising resilience in real-time during periods of high uncertainty is one of the hardest challenges imaginable, especially with only partial vision of what’s happening.
Dr Emma Delaney analyses some key issues regarding subventions and other financial incentives, drawing from the perspective of PCOs. Amongst her conclusions: flexible, co-created incentive packages are more effective than rigid, conditional offers, and when aligned with a destination’s goals, incentives can facilitate sustainable, inclusive and high-quality conferences and stronger societal impact. From CEF…
Tommy Goodwin, Vice President of Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, provides a helpful and robust decision-making framework for industry leaders attempting to understand and navigate the fast evolving geopolitical landscape we all are facing. From Exhibition World Magazine…
Scotland’s capital is set to become the first city in the UK to fund its convention bureau through a mandatory tourist tax – or ‘visitor levy’ – in what could herald the start of major changes to how cities across the country attract business events and conference tourism. From M&IT…
The launch of the MeetEngland Impact Network at Sheffield’s Cutlers’ revealed why intellectual capital is one of England’s biggest advantages on the international business events stage. It was a genuinely significant industry moment — not just another announcement, but the start of something that could reshape England’s global competitiveness. From M&IT…
Dr Emma Delaney from the University of Surrey explains how the “psychic income paradigm”, a concept well established in sports events, offers a credible way to capture the overlooked social and emotional value that is delivered by business events. From Centre for Events & Festivals…
Traditionally, tourism and economic development were treated as two distinct functions, but this model has evolved over recent decades, as destinations recognise that these are two sides of the same coin. Visitors, investors, talent and residents are responding to the same fundamentals: quality of life, connectivity, innovation, culture, sustainability, and opportunity. From City Nation Place…
In this episode of The Meeting Room podcast, James Lancaster, Editorial Director at Northstar Meetings Group, and Iceberg Ambassador, discusses the latest implications of Trump travel policies suggesting a silent revolution on the part of event organisers and international visitors is well underway…
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From its pioneering beginnings in 1983 to a world-class event hosting thousands, AIME has grown into a powerhouse for connection and collaboration. AIME 2026 brought together industry leaders, associations, and innovators to spark over 25,000 meaningful conversations in just two days. Beyond meetings, it is a catalyst for ideas, partnerships, and economic growth—driving opportunities across…
Ireland celebrated the success of 109 Conference Ambassadors at the most recent CARA (Conference Ambassadors Recognition Awards) gala evening in Dublin, recognising academics and business leaders who were responsible for attracting major international association conferences to the country during the years 2023 and 2024. Highlights of the evening were two Spotlight Awards, for Sustainability and…
Copenhagen Convention Bureau is collaborating with FERMA (Federation of European Risk Management Associations) and RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society) on analysis and solutions to risk in the business events world. Copenhagen Risk Navigator reveals a consistent “Blind Spot” paradox between high-priority leadership awareness and a disconnect with the realities of event planning and preparation.
Oil prices have surged since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, but airlines face an additional threat: the price of jet fuel has risen far faster than crude oil. Even those using hedging contracts to protect against sudden spikes in oil prices are announcing fare hikes, fuel surcharges and capacity cuts. From Reuters…
ECA announces a new era of advocacy, engagement and growth with a range of new tools, services and activities, and names Tommy Goodwin as President and CEO. Building on ECA’s success over the past five years, ECA 2.0 represents the next phase of growth as ECA deepens its advocacy work, and introduces new opportunities…
ICCA is strengthening its commitment to sustainability and advocacy with the appointment of Alexander Alles as Senior Director, Advocacy and Sustainability. Alles, who previously served as Executive Director of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, will join the ICCA team effective 1 April as part of ICCA’s ongoing efforts to advance these two core strategic pillars.
From Boardroom: The first details of the IMEX Frankfurt education program reveal a learning lineup designed to meet the industry exactly where it is today—and where it’s poised to thrive in the future. The program is rooted in real-world examples and shaped by the here and now, as IMEX’s Head of Programming explains…
As the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia F1 races face likely cancellation, the fallout is highlighting broader risk for live events across the region as trade shows, conferences, and corporate gatherings prepare for the post-Ramadan business rebound. The conflict is causing the most significant disruption in the Middle East since the Covid-19 pandemic. From Skift Meetings…
Regional instability is rippling across the global events industry, forcing organizers to make high-stakes calls with little certainty. Airspace shutdowns and safety advisories are prompting cancellations and postponements across the Gulf and casting doubt over upcoming trade shows, including IAAPA Expo Middle East, scheduled for 31 Mar–02 Apr in Abu Dhabi. From Skift Meetings…
A study by the Barcelona Institute of Economics reveals that Fira de Barcelona generates over 49,000 jobs, contributes a GVA of €2.96bn (≈1% of Catalonia’s GDP), and produces an annual economic impact exceeding €6.1bn, with growth of 28% in the last five years, mainly in commerce, hospitality, transport, and local industry. From Meetings International…
Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes across the Gulf have triggered widespread business disruption leading to airport closures, a halt in port operations and major event cancellations. Emirates and Qatar Airways suspended all flights following major Middle East airspace closures, grounding two of the world’s largest global transit hubs in Dubai and Doha. From Exhibition World…
As US-Iran strikes escalate, business events across the Middle East are facing postponements, rerouted delegations, and operational disruption. The fallout is reverberating far beyond the region. President Donald Trump has indicated that the Iran strikes could continue for four to five weeks, signaling ongoing impacts for the business events sector. From Skift Meetings…
IAPCO has announced the election of new Council Officers and the confirmed the new President-Elect as Jason Yeh at the conclusion of its 2026 Annual Meeting and General Assembly in Athens. Yeh, CEO of GIS Group, Taiwan, will serve for a one-year term as president-elect, before becoming president at the AM&GA in 2027. From CMW…
Following the killing of a major cartel leader on February 22, the US Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued a shelter-in-place order for Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, and Riviera Nayarit, triggering security concerns and widespread travel disruptions. The advisory has since been lifted, but repercussions are being felt across the events industry. From Skift Meetings…
Riding on its strongest performance to date, Business Events Sarawak is leading a nationwide conversation to strengthen Malaysia’s business events ecosystem through a legacy-focused approach aligned with national development priorities, uniting government agencies, associations, academia, industry leaders and media across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. From Meetings International…
Ottawa Tourism and Invest Ottawa highlight their growing partnership to attract high-value international conferences and events, supported by the Think Ottawa program and Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund. With Ottawa’s strengths across aerospace, defence and security, cybersecurity and AI, the destination team is building a future pipeline of business events aligned with these sectors.
Industry leaders warn that new screening requirements for travelers to the US from countries in the Visa Waiver Program could mean higher costs, lost business, and meetings moving to other countries. Event planners remain hopeful that changes applying to business travelers will either be dialed back or get caught up in red tape. From Skift…
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach the final stretch, they are not just inspiring a world of aspiring athletes; they are also a key driver of revenue and a factor lifting projections for European event agencies. Executives at four major European event agencies told Skift Meetings they’re planning for a strong year ahead…
Following the ruling by the US Supreme Court that tariffs introduced under the auspices of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are unconstitutional, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance described the decision as “welcome news for the business and professional events industry” which has faced mounting costs and prolonged uncertainty as a result of the tariffs.
European city destination leaders gathered in Barcelona in February for the 19th CityDNA CEO Meeting. Hosting the meeting in Barcelona was symbolic – few cities have more visibly navigated the political, social and structural pressures surrounding urban tourism. European destination CEOs addressed a central reality: the role of the Destination Management Organisation has fundamentally evolved.
Timed to recognise the founding of the world’s first destination organisation on February 19, 1896, in Detroit, Michigan, this worldwide advocacy event recognises the leaders and organisations that drive tourism, economic growth and community vitality. Greetings by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and state Governors of Illinois and Wyoming were amongst many messages of support.
Following its traditional evolutionary approach to destination sustainability metrics, the Global Destination Sustainability Movement has focused on consolidation, precision and alignment with global sustainability frameworks, enabling the Index to function even more effectively as a rigorous improvement-in-performance programme for destinations around the world.
ECA highlights the impact of the latest (third!) DHS shutdown that started on 14 February, especially on critical Transportation Security Administration, who will be working without pay again. As many take up second jobs to pay their bills, security checkpoint lines are forced to close, leading to longer wait times and more missed flights.
Seoul has announced plans to create its own versions of CES and the Davos forum as flagship international events as part of a broader effort to scale up the city’s MICE sector, The Korea Times reported. Cities are increasingly building rather than only bidding for international events, to support broader economic goals. From M&C/ASIA…
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Organised by the Newborn Brain Society, the 15th International Newborn Brain Conference (INBBC) returned to Ireland for the third time — and to Cork for the second — from 28 February to 2 March 2024, hosted at Fota Island Resort in Cork. All three Irish editions of the INBBC bear the imprint of host committee…
From 3 to 4 March 2026, Amsterdam hosted the first edition of the Amsterdam Space Symposium at Beurs van Berlage, bringing together over 500 participants and 100+ speakers from across the global space sector. Organised by SpaceNed in collaboration with the Amsterdam Convention Bureau (ACB), the event combined high-level dialogue with a strong focus on…
The “ESID EHA SIOPE Focused Symposium 2025” started a new chapter in collaborative thinking for these three European associations. As more and more associations find themselves dealing with complex issues that are relevant to the Missions and expertise of other associations, this excellent case study helps understand not only why such collaboration is valuable, but…
Browse all the 2025 UFI Award Winners to understand how the world’s most innovative trade shows are evolving and adapting in order to thrive in the current challenging business environment. The UFI Awards recognise outstanding achievements and best practices in the global exhibition industry. Open to organisers, venue operators, and service providers worldwide, the programme…
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has announced a new 30th Birthday initiative in partnership with Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) to support Queensland and Australia’s research and commercial uptake in across health, biomedical and agritech bio-innovation. LSQ is the Queensland peak body for medical and agricultural science and investment attraction in one of Australia’s fastest…
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Leading organisations of the global meetings and events industry (IAPCO, AIPC, AMCI, ICCA, IFES & PCMA) have joined forces again, to better understand the direct short- and long-term impacts of current global unrest, conflict and geo-political changes and to compare with results from a similar body of research conducted in 2025. The deadline is Friday…
Skift Meetings summarises the key findings of JWC’s annual Global Performance Review of the worldwide trade show and exhibition sector, including the consultancy’s first country-level ranking. China and US lead the way, but perhaps surprisingly, France appears at number three ahead of Germany.
This White Paper argues that current RFP models, largely designed more than two decades ago, have failed to keep pace with societal and business demands and expectations. To stay relevant, responsible and resilient, RFP processes must evolve from procurement tools into strategic frameworks for mission-aligned, impact-driven partnerships. From World PCO Alliance…
From Meeting Newz: Research released at the newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre highlights the significant contribution that multi-day conferences and business events make to New Zealand. The report, resulting from a 12-month study in conjunction with Business Events Industry Aotearoa, showed that in 2025, the sector delivered $925M in economic and productivity contributions.
The visitor economy plays a critical role in Canada’s broader economic and trade performance. The Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports, commissioned by Destinations International’s Canadian Destination Leadership Council and conducted in partnership with EY-Parthenon, provides new evidence of how inbound travel contributes to export growth and drives Canada’s international competitiveness.
This study is based on a global survey concluded in December 2025. It represents up-to-date information on the status and outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 19 specific markets and regions. The Barometer has a truly global reach, with 378 companies participating in this edition from 57 countries and regions.
This white paper is a timely contribution to the business events ecosystem. The insight gained from three ebx.lab editions is clear: the challenges facing stakeholders across the business events ecosystem are far more similar than expected, and the most effective solutions emerge where knowledge, data, perspectives, and resources are brought together through genuine collaboration.
VOK DAMS, one of Germany’s top (and globally-operating) corporate event organising companies, predicts the biggest trends for the coming year. Events will become even more strategically important in companies’ marketing and communication mixes, as the attention economy and community-building challenges become central concerns of companies both large and small.
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Former Events Director at International Gas Union Rodney Cox has strong views on the all-too-frequent under-utilisation of exhibitors at international association events, to the detriment of the event owner, the delegates, and the host destination. Far too many organisers build exhibitions as a matter of habit rather than intent. “I like the word intent,” states…
Lakshman Rathnam, Founder and CEO of Wordly, the AI-driven, 60+ language meeting interpretation company, had a revelation early in the company’s seven-year journey: “Clients were saying to us, ‘What are you doing to hear us?’ — not asking for passive access to (usually English-language-using) presenters.” Essentially, they were asking for multilingual tools to offer engagement,…
By Padraic Gilligan, Co-founder, SoolNua Consulting: In the last six years alone we’ve had Covid, Ukraine, Israel, tariffs, Venezuela, Greenland and now Iran. Layer onto that the existential debates around climate and AI and you begin to understand why the question keeps surfacing: should we be worried for our industry? The short answer is yes…
AMI’s James Lancaster analyses the geopolitical balancing act that helped UAE, particularly Dubai, become one of the most successful association meetings destinations, arguing that it’s premature to write the city off. With a long-term government vision centring business events, Dubai has the assets and the will to bounce back swiftly, provided the conflict is short-lived.
Naomi Smith explores what events are revealing about association leadership this year in places where strategy becomes visible: association events. Naomi is joined by Ariane Brusselmans, Senior Nonprofit Executive and Director of Conferences at the International AIDS Society, and Professor Peter Van Daele, Secretary General of the International Union of Radio Science.
Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, articulates the case for why and how we can change external perceptions of the business events sector amongst audiences beyond our own “bubble”. He argues the industry must speak with a stronger, unified narrative that highlights business events as drivers of knowledge exchange, innovation, economic growth and long-term societal impact.
Experienced sustainability practitioner and impact consultant Jessica Vandy takes issue with the inappropriate and reputation-damaging misuse of sustainability terminology such as “regenerative”, a slowly growing trend that she argues is infiltrating event websites, venue brochures and destination marketing. Credibility and trust are essential attributes, and sloppy use of language is putting these at risk.
Roy Ying says Hong Kong and cities across Greater Bay will reap benefits after visits by UK and Canadian leaders to Beijing. High-level diplomacy resulted in extending visa-free travel, leading to opportunities for MICE organisers, and marking the latest milestone in a sweeping national strategy to open China’s doors wider to the world. From MIX…
The event industry does not lack expertise; it lacks a system that turns thousands of successfully delivered events, research, and thought leadership into accumulated professional knowledge that helps us continually improve how events are planned, delivered, and evaluated. Prof Mike Duignan sets out a pragmatic framework to solve this fundamental challenge.
Skift Meetings’ Executive Editor Andrea Doyle argues that as global associations expand into fast-growing destinations, inclusion and human rights are becoming as critical as infrastructure and airlift. ICCA’s choice of Kigali for its 2027 Congress spotlights Rwanda’s rising meetings profile but raises concerns about LGBTQ safety and stigma, prompting calls for proactive inclusion planning.
Kai Hattendorf sets out the data that prove we are experiencing an accelerating degradation of digital business environments, and argues that this dramatically revalues the utility of the exhibition hall, conference hall and networking spaces: Across the business events industry, we have long argued that trust is built through physical presence…
Soolnua co-founder Padraic Gilligan demonstrates how to effectively counter negative press stories by unapologetically hammering home economic multiplier facts and figures, and illuminating the bigger picture behind the cost and style of doing business in the business events or tourism sectors. From Padraicino…
GatheringPoint’s David Adler takes global experiential agency Jack Morton’s latest annual report as a starting point to explore how factors such as trust, credibility and alignment enable events to become purposeful platforms for the exercise of soft power.
The biggest common denominator among this season’s PCMA Convene podcast guests: Put your audience at the center of your design strategy and event execution, even if it means taking a different and unknown course. From AI and sponsorship reinvention to values-based design and measuring joy, the topics covered help shape the future of business events.
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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.
Exploring practical and creative approaches to embedding wellbeing into how teams work together and how events are designed, introducing simple yet powerful tools that help facilitators, leaders, and event planners create environments where people feel safe, engaged, and connected. You’ll gain insights into how intentional design can improve collaboration, reduce stress, and support meaningful participation
The traditional pre-IMEX Association Expert Seminar has evolved into the Association Circle, designed to elevate and upskill the meetings and association community, strengthening its ability to remain future-proof and resilient. By focusing on complex, strategy-driven topics, the initiative challenges participants to deepen their expertise and advance their knowledge to the next level.
Participants gain insights into current issues, industry trends, and key customer perspectives, setting the stage for intense competition on the IMEX show floor. The Summit creates a global forum to assess key market challenges and develop innovative strategies, bringing together over 50 senior-level convention centre executives, client representatives, and marketing specialists.
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.
Taking place at IMEX Frankfurt 2026, ICCA Business Intelligence Database Training offers members a quicker, smarter user experience; giving access to data, stats, reports, and analysis to uncover more business opportunities. Key features include: Improved integration, Intuitive modern user interface, Customised meeting search tools, Notification system, Smart recommendation engine.
The PCMA Business Events Summit is an advanced, members-only education experience — an immersive, skills‑based summit for business events professionals ready to sharpen their expertise, solve real‑world challenges, and elevate their impact. Formerly edUcon, the Summit has been reimagined as a pinnacle learning environment with longer sessions, hands‑on application, and peer‑driven problem solving.
A more structured and transparent RFP process empowers associations to compare partners on equal footing, identify the destinations that truly align with their mission, and make more intentional, impact-driven decisions. This session will explore how clearer criteria, phased approaches, and mission alignment can transform RFPs from procurement tools into strategic partnership frameworks.
Meeting tourism has always been a changing and dynamic industry. The behaviours and the needs of our clients are constantly changing, and our organisations face a much more competitive and demanding market. Learners will: Strengthen key skills to outshine competitors; Reinforce expertise with new strategies and insights; Stay current and competitive in a changing industry.
Exclusive 3-day masterclass in Luxembourg for association leaders to enhance skills in creating, executing, and evaluating impactful activities promoting social, economic, and environmental progress. Featuring a programme crafted in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT, GainingEdge and Business Events Sarawak as the Seed Fund Contributor.
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 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…
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PCMA CONVENING LATAM is a unique platform in Latin America that drives growth and innovation through a transformative experience, combining PCMA’s global vision with the creativity and passion of Latin event industry professionals to build a unique perspective, truly focused on the challenges of the region. Expand your network in a multi-directional way, build new…
Participants gain insights into current issues, industry trends, and key customer perspectives, setting the stage for intense competition on the IMEX show floor. The Summit creates a global forum to assess key market challenges and develop innovative strategies, bringing together over 50 senior-level convention centre executives, client representatives, and marketing specialists.
ICCA will be present at IMEX in Frankfurt, the largest tradeshow in Europe for the meetings and event industry. With the Global Advocacy Alliance, ICCA aims to equip attendees with practical knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for the event sector’s interests, ultimately contributing to its growth and recognition.
IMEX Frankfurt is where the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry comes together annually for the largest trade show of its kind in Europe. Where 4,500-plus global meeting planners connect with 3,100 suppliers from across the world, building powerful working relationships—to create better events, meetings and experiences.
This one-and-a-half-day event provides attendees with a unique opportunity to meet and network with European colleagues managing city cards schemes, to share knowledge and insights to stay ahead of the latest market trends & anticipate customers’ needs, helping participants to grow their business in a sustainable way as well as strengthening their professional expertise.
This event will bring together industry leaders and advocates from across the US and around the world to meet with members of Congress and congressional staff in support of ECA’s 2026 public policy priorities. Last year, 170 industry stakeholders from 30 states joined ECA to engage with federal policymakers, and for cross-industry networking opportunities.
IZFAS, one of Turkey’s leading exhibition organisers, will host this flagship regional event, bringing together exhibition industry professionals from Europe and beyond to share insights, explore new trends, and strengthen cross-border collaboration. Izmir, known for its strategic location, cultural richness, and thriving trade fair industry, offers the perfect backdrop for dynamic discussions and meaningful connections.
Global Exhibitions Day (GED) is held annually on the first Wednesday of June. It is open to everyone interested in increasing the visibility of the exhibitions industry regionally and on a global scale. Four key messages highlight how exhibitions unlock potential for industries, individuals, communities, and companies: Exhibitions drive collaboration and innovation to transform businesses…
The ICCA Middle East Summit gathers leading regional and international stakeholders from the business events industry, featuring an agenda that includes panel discussions, case studies, workshops, and structured networking sessions. The event is expected to facilitate valuable networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative opportunities for destination marketing professionals, tourism boards, association executives, sustainability advocates, technology innovators…
SHOP is ETOA and CityDNA’s new B2B event focused on driving demand beyond the high season. Designed for destinations and suppliers seeking to grow business outside traditional peak months, SHOP unites industry professionals committed to building a more balanced, sustainable tourism economy. As travel patterns evolve, extending the season and diversifying itineraries has never been…
This is not another conference – it’s a living lab where destination leaders convene to co-create a bold new blueprint for regenerative impact, resilience, and courage. Through collaborative workshops, deep dialogue, and peer-to-peer learning, we will prototype solutions for the pressing challenges of climate disruption and social change. Join us to harness our collective intelligence…
The Annual Conference brings together members to consider key industry issues and hear from top professionals in a variety of related fields. A global gathering for convention & exhibition centre managers and industry partners to share best practices, explore innovations, benchmark performance, build networks and tackle challenges across operations, sales, marketing, sustainability and facility management.
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Aileen has worked in the meetings industry for over 25 years and is currently the Head of Tourism and Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Glasgow Life. Aileen has served on the board of ICCA as Destination Co-Chair. The Convention Bureau focus on attracting and supporting association conferences to meet in Glasgow. The Bureau offer a…
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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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Heike Mahmoud has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) and authorized signatory at Estrel Berlin, Europe’s largest hotel, congress and entertainment complex with over 1,000 hotel rooms and 30,000 sqm of event space, since August 2024. She is responsible for the operational business of Estrel Berlin and the marketing of the new Estrel Tower, the first…
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Mike is the Founder and Chair of the Centre for Events & Festivals (CEF); CEO of Legacies (the official consultancy arm of CEF); and a Professeur des universités at the University of Paris 1. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Event Management Journal – the leading academic journal for the study and analysis of events…
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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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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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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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Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a newly-formed association dedicated to the recovery and advancement of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the…
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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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As the Founder and CEO of 49travelmice.com, Peng Ee leverage over four decades of expertise in the media, travel and MICE industries to deliver strategic consultancy and tailored solutions for the business events and travel sectors. His passion lies in mentoring high performance teams, and driving growth for clients by providing valuable insights, facilitating industry…
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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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Dr. Edward Koh has been leading the Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel division of the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, a group under the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), since 2019. He provides strategic counsel to attract quality association congresses and corporate-driven events to Singapore, maintaining its position as a leading International Convention and Meetings destination….
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Stay informed with the latest association insights and trends by subscribing to regular updates from Boardroom, the global reference point both for the world of associations and within the meetings industry, with articles written by the sector’s most-experienced professionals and a magazine endorsed and supported by the members of its Association Advisory Board.
For an academic perspective on the events sector (as opposed to the usual industry-led approach), make sure you follow the Centre for Events and Festivals. Many of CEF’s professors are attempting to evaluate events with a much more scientific rigour than is the norm. CEF Insights are short, accessible articles written by industry experts.
Everything you wanted to know about how US policymaking influences business events, and how to participate in campaigns designed to nudge policy in the right direction. Every other Friday, the ECA Advocacy Update email newsletter shares the latest advocacy news from Washington, DC and beyond on the public policy issues that matter to the industry.
Receive monthly updates from GDS-Movement, a pioneering, data-driven international change agency that acts to catalyse socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions across the world, empowering tourism and events professionals with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to co-create more regenerative and resilient destinations to visit, meet, and live in.
Northstar Meeting Group’s flagship business events newsletter, with the option to sign up to lots of specialist feeds, including region-specific news, and the latest news of interest to association meeting professionals. Providing meeting planners and suppliers with comprehensive information and original content in the form of articles, magazines, podcasts, and videos.
PCMA offers a range of newsletters, so you can tailor your subscription(s) to match your interests. Get daily industry headlines with News Junkie; weekly inspiration from Convene magazine via ThisWeek at Convene; and career guidance in The Raise. Stay informed with PCMA Institute updates, or connect regionally through APAC Exchange, EMEA Connect, and LATAM CONECTA.
Thoughts & Observations is a weekly newsletter by Kai Hattendorf. It shares updates, reflections, and analyses on the business events and exhibitions industry, covering topics ranging from market trends to industry practices and emerging developments. Each edition provides a concise summary of recent news, data, and professional insights relevant to event organizers and stakeholders.
A monthly update of reports, news, events and insights into the exhibition and trade show sector from UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – this is where the global community stays connected and informed.
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Copenhagen Legacy Lab is an award-winning service offered free-of-charge by Copenhagen Convention Bureau. Our goal is to help associations and local capacities in creating broader societal value from congresses and events, addressing the strategic goals of the association as well as national agendas and local priorities. With more than eight years of experience, we are…
The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) is a pioneering, data-driven international change agency that acts to catalyse socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions across the world. It aims to empower tourism and events professionals with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to co-create more regenerative and resilient destinations to visit, meet, and live…
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