UN Tourism has presented Professor Larry Dwyer with the prestigious Ulysses Prize in recognition of his commitment to using knowledge to guide action and creating lasting, positive change. The prize was awarded during a special ceremony at the University of Technology Sydney, where he serves as Professor and Adjunct Fellow.
The VISIT USA Act, introduced in Congress today, would restore critical funding to Brand USA—America’s destination marketing organization as the nation prepares to host a decade of global events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Summer Olympics, providing resources to promote the United States abroad, attract international visitors…
The European Society of Association Executives (ESAE) has announced the launch of the European Association Awards 2026, celebrating excellence, creativity, and purpose within Europe’s association sector. Open to all not-for-profit, membership-based associations active in Europe, the awards aim to recognise projects that demonstrate measurable impact and align with an organisation’s broader mission.
The partnership supports the implementation of IAPCO’s Sustainability Strategy and introduces two cornerstone initiatives: a new Sustainability Award powered by Business Events Australia, and the development of a new IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit designed to equip professional congress organisers (PCOs) with practical tools and insights to drive measurable environmental and social impact.
With an extensive career covering venues, associations, international conferences, and global corporate strategy, Maritz’s Chief Global Strategy Officer Ben Goedegebuure has established himself as one of the industry’s most respected voices. His work reflects a deep commitment to positioning business events as powerful enablers of economic development, knowledge exchange, societal progress, and global collaboration.
From Exhibition World: International consultancy for the for the exhibition and conference industry, Germany-based jwc GmbH, has announced a shake up in its management structure that sees former UFI CEO and MD Kai Hattendorf join as managing partner, and founder Jochen Witt transition to executive chairman. The leadership changes include Sebastian Witt also named as…
From AMI: An international association of family doctors whose conference led to a string of initiatives to improve healthcare in rural areas has won $20,000 for its efforts. WONCA (World Organization of Family Doctors) scooped the 2025 Incredible Impacts Award, run by ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance, presented during the 64th ICCA Congress in Porto,…
From Northstar Meetings Group: Airlines are optimistic they can resume normal operations just a few days after the government lifts its order to cut flights at 40 busy airports, but it’s not clear how soon that will happen even though the federal shutdown is over. The Federal Aviation Administration did announce Wednesday night that airlines…
David Adler is consistently one of the most eloquent and far-sighted commentators on how the business and professional events sector is changing, and the mega-trends most likely to shape that evolution. He’s also never afraid of a good controversy! GatheringPoint.news is the insider’s guide to the most powerful industry you don’t hear enough about…
Between April 2018 and March 2024, 91 grant-supported international events taking place in 18 cities across Britain generated over £60 million direct economic impact, £35 for every £1 invested. Positive societal impacts (on healthcare and scientific progress, trade development and inward investment, etc.) need to be added to this already impressive figure.
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.
Sarawak’s delegation to ICCA Congress 2025 was led by The Honourable Data Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, who announced MoUs with 12 other Sarawak ministries, formalising the multi-sector government engagement that has led to Sarawak’s 100% success-rate in winning international meeting bids since 2021. From TTR Weekly…
The Iceberg, the platform and metaphor for business & professional events advocacy, presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council, is to be transferred from The Fred Production Company Ltd to The Iceberg Trust, a non-profit UK-based Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) from January 2026. The Iceberg was founded in 2017 by James Latham with the support…
The inaugural Advocacy & Action event will unite and reimagine two of DI’s most dynamic gatherings into one event dedicated to advancing purpose-driven destination leadership. “Advocacy & Action brings together the full spectrum of what destination organisations stand for — community resilience, brand stewardship, leadership and impact,” said Don Welsh, DI President & CEO.
The new SAE is the brainchild of GConvene and Talley Management Group, which will act as strategic advisors to the new organisation, aiming to professionalise the enormous number of associations in India. This has the long-term potential to significantly transform the association meetings landscape in the region. From M&C Asia…
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.
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.
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