VP of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Tommy Goodwin, emphasises the importance of effective advocacy in supporting industry recognition, regulation, capacity building, and fiscal support from government. But Goodwin believes that success is best delivered in partnership and collaboration between industry organisations and individuals across the industry and illustrated by ECA’s success securing the…
From Skift Meetings: ICE-related shootings and protests in Minnesota have triggered hotel closures, event cancellations, and attendance declines, forcing planners to weigh safety, attendee sentiment, and economic impact when deciding whether to proceed. The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on January 24 has intensified unrest in Minneapolis…
Informa plc and Dubai World Trade Centre are merging their Live B2B Events businesses into a Joint Venture, called “inD”. The new company will be in charge of Informa’s wholly owned B2B Live Events business in the United Arab Emirates and wider IMEA region (excluding Saudi Arabia), as well as DWTC’s B2B Live Events business.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the exhibition industry, including facilitation, promotion and MICE exchanges. CCPIT will encourage Chinese exhibition bodies to organise new international economic and trade exhibitions in Singapore; STB will help organisers establish and scale events.
AIPC has signed an MOU with UFI and ICCA to jointly co-fund and support the work of ISO Technical Committee 354, responsible for developing international standards covering meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and related event services. This strategic collaboration reflects a shared commitment by the three global associations to advance consistency, quality, and professionalism across global markets.
From M&C/Asia: In an era where medical conferences are indispensable platforms for collaboration, peer learning and the cross-pollination of ideas, the choice of host city has become a strategic decision rather than a logistical one. Recent landmark gatherings are demonstrating that Macao is no longer a peripheral option but a serious contender for medical congresses.
IAPCO and PCMA have formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of an MOU at PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The agreement strengthens cooperation across thought leadership, professional education, research, and emerging leader engagement within the global business events industry, establishing a structured framework for collaboration between the two global organisations.
This summary report of highlights from the recent PCMA Convening Leaders event in Philadelphia, the city where PCMA was first founded in 1956, 70 years ago: Convening Leaders 2026 delivered a powerful celebration of leadership, legacy, and the future of business events—bringing together the global community at a moment of reflection and renewal.
From M&C ASIA: Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has entered into an agreement to transfer ownership and operational control of the International Journal of Business, Events and Legacies (IJBEL) to Curtin University Malaysia, a move aimed at deepening academic involvement in the business events sector in Sarawak.
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the unified public policy voice of the U.S. business and professional events industry, today announced its 2026 Elected Officers and Board of Directors. The following Elected Officers were selected by the ECA Board of Directors to serve a one-year term ending on December 31, 2026: Fernando Fischer (Chair), President,…
Supported by collaboration across government, industry, academia, communities, and global partners, the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign has transformed how Sarawak delivers business events, shifting the focus from short-term tourism to long-term economic, social, and environmental impact, leading BESarawak to its strongest performance to date in 2025, as the organisation approaches its 20th anniversary.
The 11th edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) will be celebrated on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, under the theme “Exhibitions drive opportunities”. UFI encourages all businesses and professionals across the industry to celebrate GED by showcasing how exhibitions create opportunities for people, planet, and performance. Download resources and tools, and find inspiration here…
The Iceberg Partner & Ambassador, Matt Pearce, extends a sunshine-filled welcome to join the party for the 2026 edition of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) from 9-11th February supported by the full suite of industry associations including AIPC ICCA – International Congress and Convention Association IAPCO PCMA UFI, The Global Association of…
From Exempla: Exempla Management & Consulting, based in Brussels, Belgium, and Meet4Impact, based in Montreal, Canada are excited to announce a strategic partnership, creating new consultancy services designed to enhance the impact of mission-driven international associations. This collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of both teams to offer a unique, integrated value proposition.
The Events Industry Council (EIC) today announced the election of officers and directors to its 2026 Board of Directors. The EIC Board brings together senior leaders from across the global business events ecosystem and serves as the governing body of the Council, providing fiscal oversight and strategic direction for all EIC programmes and initiatives.
US withdrawal from over 60 international organisations (with many more still under review) has huge ramifications for American participation in and funding support for numerous international conferences around the world, and is also likely to significantly damage the US’s ability to attract and host any international conferences in related fields. From CNN…
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, a unified public policy voice of the US business and professional events industry, has announced its 2026 Public Policy Agenda, outlining the organisation’s federal and state policy priorities for the year ahead. “2026 presents a critical moment for our industry in Washington, DC, and beyond,” said Fernando Fischer…
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