Category: News
Congress Urged to Prevent Travel Disruptions
With a government funding deadline looming, three of the industry’s largest trade associations are urging Congress to resolve differences between competing continuing-resolution spending bills for the fiscal year 2027 and avoid a federal shutdown that could disrupt travel operations ahead of the fall travel season. From Northstar…
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ECA Launches Ambassadors Circle to Strengthen Industry Advocacy Efforts
ECA, the public policy voice of the US business events industry, has launched the ECA Ambassadors Circle, designed to recognise, empower and engage the industry’s most committed advocates. The programme will provide a select group of industry leaders with specialised year-round programming, advanced advocacy training and new opportunities to help amplify the industry’s voice.
Global Business Travel Spending to Hit $1.71 Trillion in 2026
Global business travel spending is projected to reach $1.71 trillion in 2026, while business trip volume is expected to total 1.84 billion trips, according to GBTA’s Business Travel Index Annual Global Report and Forecast. The figures point to another year of expansion for the sector, although spending continues to grow significantly faster than trip volume.
Mozambique Adopts New Strategy to Attract Business Events
The Mozambican government has approved a strategy to develop business tourism in the country through to 2030. The strategy projects annual revenues of US$106 million alongside increased inward investment and economic capacity building, through the hosting of 38 international conferences, congresses, and other professional events.
SITE Launches Three Specialty Certifications for Incentive Travel Professionals
SITE has launched the first three of its new Specialty Certifications, expanding its professional development offering with focused, on-demand education in incentive travel psychology, risk management and wellness. The new credentials respond directly to demand from SITE members for practical, career-advancing education that can be applied to their work immediately.
Singapore Broadens MICE Sustainability Agenda With Roadmap 2.0
Singapore’s MICE industry is moving into a new phase of sustainable growth, with the launch of MICE Sustainability Roadmap 2.0, placing social and economic sustainability alongside environmental considerations. Announced at Singapore MICE Forum 2026 by guest-of-honour Gan Siow Huang, the refreshed roadmap was developed by the Singapore Tourism Board and SACEOS.
The Athens Promise: Supporting a Unified Industry Strategy
A new advocacy movement, The Athens Promise, has launched this July to support existing efforts and further unite the meetings and events industry behind one clear message: the work of business events matters, and the world needs to understand why. The initiative is led by the IAPCO, in partnership with AIPC AMC Institute and PCMA.
JMIC Updates Global Manifesto for Business Events Advocacy
The Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) has released the third edition of its Global Manifesto, giving the business-events industry updated data and case studies to help make its case to governments, destinations, and public officials. The updated manifesto uses data from the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) 2026 Global Economic Significance Study.
Kigali Joins BestCities’ Global Table
Kigali has joined the BestCities Global Alliance as its 14th member, placing Rwanda’s capital within a network of leading international convention destinations. The move reflects Kigali’s growing profile as a meetings destination in Africa, combining modern event infrastructure, accessibility and a strong focus on sustainability, innovation and economic development.
EIC Announces 2026 Hall of Leaders Inductees
The latest annual Hall of Leaders honourees have been announced by the Events Industry Council, including international event-impact advocates WeeMin Ong from Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and Kit Lykketoft from Wonderful Copenhagen Convention Bureau. The six inductees will be honoured at a ceremony held alongside IMEX America in Las Vegas on 12 October.
2026 AIPC Member Survey Summary
Every year, AIPC, in collaboration with Access Intelligence, conducts its Annual Member Survey to track the trends shaping the global convention centre industry. Covering industry outlook, business strategies, client expectations, technology, sustainability and workforce development, the 2026 survey gathered responses from 67 convention centres, providing valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing our sector.
Malaysia Smashes Business Events Targets in 2025
Malaysia’s business events industry significantly outperformed its annual targets in 2025, with international delegate arrivals surging almost 80% above expectations as the country accelerates efforts to become one of Asia’s top five business events destinations by 2030. The country welcomed more than 867,000 international delegates last year, comfortably exceeding its target of 482,000 by 79.9%.
Wellington WONCA Conference Delivers Rural Health Legacies
The WONCA Conference resulted in action for local and global rural health sectors, with the launch of The Aotearoa New Zealand Declaration on Rural Health 2026, a national roadmap setting out six priority areas to strengthen rural health systems, and a global initiative focusing on international collaboration, policy advocacy and sharing practical solutions. From TTGmice…
Extreme Heat Event Cancelled Due to Extreme Heat
From M&C/ASIA: An event aimed at tackling extreme heat was cancelled amid a record-breaking heatwave, turning a policy discussion into a live example of the risks climate experts have long warned about. The session, titled Extreme Heat: Improving Governance and Strengthening Action Around the World, was due to take place during London Climate Action Week…
Asia-Pacific Business Events Sector Demonstrates Strong Regional Resilience
At the recent edition of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific, held in Singapore, Northstar Travel Group’s CEO Jason Young reported healthy growth in buyer attendance, pre-booked business meetings and exhibition space booked, along with strong positive sentiments from all sectors of the industry. Young pointed to the growing importance for show organisers of offering high…
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