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Sri Lanka Terror Attacks Prompt Cancellations

Six bomb attacks on Easter Sunday may have destroyed a decade of economic recovery in Sri Lanka that was largely reliant on tourism. The attacks left 253 people dead (revised Ministry figure), with several hundred injured, at churches and five-star hotels. As a result, venues and inbound DMCs have been deluged with cancellations. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Ottawa Conference Ambassadors Sought

Canada’s capital, Ottawa, is to launch a conference ambassador programme. Together Ottawa Tourism, the Shaw Centre (above) and Invest Ottawa will offer bespoke support to local experts becoming “trailblazers” by helping the city to secure major meetings. ThinkOttawa will work with its ambassadors to prepare bid documents and provide support. From Association Meetings International…

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Amy Calvert Appointed New EIC CEO

The Events Industry Council has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Amy Calvert, after a global search. Calvert is currently Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services with Visit Baltimore, and has worked in the past for Long Beach Convention Bureau and Intercontinental Hotels Group. From the Events Industry Council…

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Melbourne’s Karen Bolinger Steps Down

Karen Bolinger, tireless CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, has announced her departure after more than seven-and-a-half years at the helm. She steps down in what is expected to be another record year for the bureau in terms of economic contribution, adding around AU$500 million to the region’s coffers. From Association Meetings International…

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1,300 Attend “Best Ever” M&IT Awards

The UK meetings industry turned out in force for a glittering night at the 2019 M&IT Awards, and The Iceberg partner’s record-breaking event has been hailed as the best ever. Glasgow Convention Bureau picked up the Best UK Convention Bureau gong for the 13th year in a row (pictured). From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Belfast Launches Events Marketing Campaign

Belfast’s official tourism marketing agency, Visit Belfast, has launched a new marketing campaign designed to rapidly accelerate the volume of inbound business conferences and events taking place in the city. The digital-led campaign is the city’s largest-ever dedicated business tourism marketing initiative. From Association Meetings International…

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London and Paris Join Forces on Incentives

London and Paris are collaborating to offer a range of travel products aimed at North American incentive buyers. Specialised itineraries of the two-in-one incentive trip have been created allowing delegates to experience new cultural attractions, restaurants and hotels in both capital cities. This includes an official partnership with Eurostar. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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£1bn Renovation Green Lit at Olympia London

Olympia London has received planning permission for a £1 billion renovation. The new vision of the 132-year-old exhibition centre is a diverse quarter, with events space, communal areas and leisure facilities. Work will start this year, with the first tenants moving in by 2023, and Olympia will continue to operate during renovation. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Finalists Announced for M&IT Awards 2019

The finalists have been announced for the M&IT Awards 2019, which take place on Friday March 1st at Battersea Evolution in London. More than 1,200 events industry professionals will celebrate the industry’s finest at this prestigious celebration of the UK and wider sectors. M&IT Personality of the Year will also be awarded. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Computational Event Secured by Penang

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau has won its bid to host the International Congress and Conferences on Computational Design and Engineering 2019 at the ParkRoyal Penang Resort. Covering both traditional computational design and fourth industry issues like big data and deep learning, the Congress will gather international experts outside Korea for the first time. From Boardroom…

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Balinese Venues Stage Major IMF Event

Bali has hosted the International Monetary Fund World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2018, attracting 36,669, including delegates from 189 member countries. Heads of state, ministers and other delegates met at BICC, the Bali International Convention Centre, while 467 guest rooms at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua were converted to offices for their use. From CIM News Magazine…

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Queensland to Get New Convention Centre

Following its AU$100 million purchase of the Novotel Twin Waters Resort in Queensland last month, The Shakespeare Property Group has announced it will also build a new convention centre for the Sunshine Coast. The AU$8 million venue is slated to open in April 2019, and will offer four event spaces. From CIM News Magazine…

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A No-deal Brexit “Disastrous” for Events

A no-deal Brexit could be disastrous for Europeans in the events and hospitality industry, according to the UK’s Immigration Advice Service. It says the sector faces a shortfall of up to 60,000 workers if Great Britain crashes out of Europe without a deal. But any weakness in sterling could counteract some of the uncertainties. From Meetypie.com…

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UK MP Calls for Bed Tax to Fund Visitor Economy

James Heappey, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the events sector, has floated the idea of a bed tax to help fund both the industry and its promotion. The MP, who is the events champion in Parliament, said he was seeking views on a per room per night tax to assist the visitor economy. From Meetpie.com…

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MPI Launches Planners’ Group After Commission Cuts

Iceberg Partner Meeting Professionals International has developed a new special interest group for small business owners in response to the recent North America reductions in third party commissions. President and CEO Paul Van Deventer says around 3,000 third party meeting planners and small business owners are part of the MPI global community. From Meetpie.com…

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US Independent Planners Now Brace for Hilton Commission Cut

Two months after Marriott International’s announcement that it is reducing North American group-intermediary commission rates from ten to seven percent, Hilton has said it will make the same rate drop in October. The changes are likely substantially to reshape both the US and Canada’s independent planner sectors. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Enhanced IBTM Arabia in Abu Dhabi Hailed a Success

The 12th edition of IBTM Arabia, which has taken place in Abu Dhabi, has been hailed a success with 2,700 business meetings held between the elite group of event planners and exhibitors. Delegates also attended networking events and education sessions. Several changes were made this year, including enhancements to the hosted buyer programme. From Meetpie.com…

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Marriott Commission Cut Prompts Planner Outrage

Marriott International is slashing the industry-standard ten percent commission paid to group intermediaries. From March 31st the rate will be seven percent for hotels sourced in the US and Canada. The move prompted outrage from planners, many of whom rely solely on commission revenue. Iceberg partner Northstar has collated substantial coverage. From Meetings & Conventions…

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