Category: News
CEF News and Monthly Digests
For an academic perspective on the events sector (as opposed to the usual industry-led approach), make sure you follow the Centre for Events and Festivals. Many of CEF’s professors are attempting to evaluate events with a much more scientific rigour than is the norm. CEF Insights are short, accessible articles written by industry experts.
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Announcing ImpactAIQ – an Intelligent Way to Make Sense of Event Impact Data
A unique collaboration between academia, event impact expert practitioners #MEET4IMPACT, AI events company Gevme and leading meetings destinations aims to help meeting owners and destinations to create unique impact reports on these events, making it relatively simple to plug a wide variety of large data sets into standardised reporting frameworks, for example “Theory of Change”…
Dubai Opens UAE’s First Green Business District
Dubai will shortly have a new resource and additional motivation to attract international events specialising in environmental and circular economy fields, as such events will include potential investors, start-ups, and individuals who are potential employees of companies that base themselves in this new zone. From Meetings & Conventions Asia…
Launches & Acquisitions: Organisers Expand Into New Regions and Strengthen Global Influence
Recent deals and debuts show how specialization and regional diversification are fuelling the next wave of events trade shows and other commercial business events. Global organizers are accelerating growth through bold new launches and strategic acquisitions, reshaping the trade show landscape across multiple sectors. From TSNN…
ECA Advocacy Update
Everything you wanted to know about how US policymaking influences business events, and how to participate in campaigns designed to nudge policy in the right direction. Every other Friday, the ECA Advocacy Update email newsletter shares the latest advocacy news from Washington, DC and beyond on the public policy issues that matter to the industry.
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ECA Announces Global Policy Forum Will Take Place 29 May 2026 in Washington D.C.
This inaugural, invite-only business and professional events Global Policy Forum is a collaborative initiative between ECA, UFI – the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, and MAD Event Management. The focus will be on key public policy issues shaping events around the world, including: sustainability; talent; and international travel and commerce. From ECA…
UN Tourism Presents Ulysses Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sector to Professor Larry Dwyer
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.
Introduction of VISIT USA Act to Restore Brand USA Funding Ahead of Major Global Events
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…
European Association Awards 2026 Open for Submissions
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.
IAPCO and BEA Partner to Advance Sustainability in the Global Meetings Industry
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.
Ben Goedegebuure Announced as Recipient of JMIC Profile & Power Award at IBTM World
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.
Kai Hattendorf Joins jwc Consultancy as Managing Partner
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…
Rural Doctors Conference Scoops $20,000 Impact Prize
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,…
Airlines Expect a Quick Recovery Once Flight Cuts End
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…
Gathering Point News
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…
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VisitBritain Releases Direct Economic Impact Evaluation on Grant-Supported International Meetings
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.
GDS-Movement Monthly Updates
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.
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Sarawak Showcases “Whole of Government” Business Events Strategy at ICCA Congress
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…
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