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No US Large Electronics Ban on Flights from Europe… Yet

To audible sighs of relief from much of the international meetings industry, the US Department of Homeland Security has announced that America will not extend to flights from Europe its ban on carrying large electronic devices in passenger cabins. A bar is currently in force on flights from ten Middle East and North African airports. From Travel Weekly…

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Brand USA Federal Funding Ditched in Trump Budget Proposal

Brand USA – the organisation promoting the US as a welcome destination for visitors – is to lose its federal funding under a proposed new budget from President Trump. The move has been attacked by US Travel association President Roger Dow as throwing away an $8.9 billion contribution to the economy and 28-to-1 return on investment. From Meetings & Conventions…

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SITE and the Incentive Sector Mourn Jane E. Schuldt

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) community is mourning the loss of its former president and legendary industry advocate Jane E. Schuldt, who has died of pancreatic cancer aged 63. During Schuldt’s presidency in 1991, she focused on globalizing SITE by launching local chapters and designing local education with a global message. She vociferously championed SITE’s code of ethics,…

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IMEX 2017 “Largest and Most Innovative Ever”

JMIC Unity Award winner and IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom has called IMEX 2017 “our largest and most innovative show ever”. Close to 9,000 hosted buyers and visitors attended the event in Frankfurt. Total appointments between buyers and the show’s 3,500 exhibitors rose to 68,500. And IMEX took a more experiential approach this year with EduMonday. From Meetpie.com…

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Ray Bloom Wins JMIC Unity Award

Ray Bloom, IMEX Group Chairman (right), won the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Unity Award at the 15th annual IMEX Gala Dinner. It was presented to him by JMIC President Joachim König. Eleven other IMEX Academy Awards were also given out at the Alte Oper, a concert hall in Frankfurt. From Meetings and Conventions…

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City Talk at the 15th IMEX Politicians Forum

As well as in the opening keynote – see “A View of the City” in Features above – the unique perspective of urbanist Professor Greg Clark was also at the heart of the IMEX Politicians Forum. The meeting was attended by almost 30 international government officials and policymakers, as well as by 80 industry leaders. From Successful Meetings…

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Madrid Officially Joins BestCities Global Alliance

As previewed by The Iceberg back in January, BestCities Global Alliance – an Iceberg partner – has now officially added Madrid to its roster of eleven other cities. The Madrid Convention Bureau is the first destination to go through BestCities’ revised quality management system. Events recently hosted by the Spanish capital include the World Petroleum Congress. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Executive Order’s Motives Probed by Judges

On the eve of IMEX’s opening in Frankfurt, The Iceberg watched live US TV coverage of further hearings into Executive Order 13780, aka Trump Travel Ban II. Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, representing the ban, was quizzed over whether it discriminates against Muslims in the wake of campaign statements made by the president. From Meetings & Conventions…

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ICCA 2016 Country and City Rankings Released

The International Congress and Convention Association – a partner of The Iceberg – has published its 2016 country and city rankings. Paris – last leading in 2014 – has reclaimed the top city spot. The USA is the country holding the most meetings. International association meetings continue to double every ten years. Fuller data will be released in June. From ICCA…

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The Iceberg Publishes First JMIC Case Study

The first of a series of high-level academic case studies investigating meetings legacies has been published on The Iceberg and Business Events World. The report has been prepared as part of the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Case Study Program – see the video below – and adheres to strict academic criteria. It is research-based, includes valid measurable data, and…

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Governor Tours to Save Visit Florida Funding

The fortunes of Visit Florida have reversed again and the agency looks like it will after all lose 67% of its funding. In a last ditch attempt to change the Legislature’s course – its Speaker sees Visit Florida as extravagant and wasteful – Governor Rick Scott is on tour to persuade Floridians to invest in destination marketing. From Orlando Rising…

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Europe Summer Travel Alert Issued by US State Department

In the wake of recent terror attacks, the US State Department has issued an alert for US citizens travelling to Europe between May and September. The post warns that tourist locations, transport hubs, markets, malls and restaurants are all potential targets. It advises travelers to stay vigilant and to check US embassy websites. Photo: Sean Hobson. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Sector Sceptical About Saudi Arabia’s Meetings Launch

Saudi Arabia is to launch itself on the global meetings, conferences and exhibitions market. It has hired a UK PR firm to oversee a marketing campaign, and will also exhibit at the forthcoming IMEX in Frankfurt. But both professional conference organisers and association executives are sceptical about the country’s suitability as a destination. From Association Meetings International…

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Attorneys General from DC & 16 States Fight Travel Ban Appeal

The most senior lawyers of sixteen US states – and of the District of Columbia – have said President Trump’s revised travel ban would damage both academic and medical institutions… and have a “chilling effect” on tourism. They have filed a brief to uphold the ruling that blocks Executive Order 13780 from coming into force. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Emirates to Fly Fewer Services to the US

Emirates is to fly less often to the United States because tougher US security measures and President Trump’s travel bans are together lowering demand. The airline’s Dubai hub is both a casualty of the US ban on larger electronic devices in passenger cabins and also a transit stop for many passengers affected by Executive Orders 13769 & 13780. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Visit Florida’s Proposed Budget a “Game Changer”

Visit Florida’s fortunes could be on rise. After its very future was left in doubt, then a House of Representatives bill passed to cut its budget by two thirds to $25m, then Governor Rick Scott called for $76m… now he has proposed raising funding to $100m. Visit Florida CEO Ken Lawson calls the possibility a “game changer”. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Australia Introduces Tougher Temporary Visas

Australia has announced that two new temporary visas will make it harder to enter the country’s labour market. The current four-year 457 visa is being scrapped. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said jobs and Australians had to come first, amid concerns that key workers from abroad are crucial to the hospitality sector and wider tourism industry. From CIM News Magazine…

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Global Meetings Industry Day Unites the Sector

With key landmarks of New York’s iconic skyline again lit up blue in celebration, the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day is dawning across the face-to-face world. Spearheaded by campaign coalition Meetings Mean Business, the event is designed to raise awareness of the sector and to highlight its business and societal impacts. Happy GMID! From Successful Meetings…

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