Category: News
How Association Leaders are Dealing With Visa Delays, Funding Cuts, & Political Headwinds
Association leaders at Skift Meetings Forum 2025 highlighted current challenges faced by the events industry. They’re adapting by shortening events, creating value-driven and generationally tailored experiences, and managing attendee hesitancy. Declining international participation, late registrations, and political sensitivities are forcing leaders to rethink formats, messaging, and speaker vetting to keep conferences relevant.
IBTM World Launches New Platform for Start-Ups
IBTM World has announced the launch of IBTM Ignite, an initiative designed to connect start-ups with industry advisors and investors, providing space for early ideas and creative thinking. Over a hundred new start-ups representing sectors including event technology, sustainability, new event agency concepts, and inclusive talent sourcing businesses will take part in this year’s programme.
EIC Announces 2026 Global Economic Significance Study and Advocacy Day
Mark your calendars for 5 May 2026, when the next iteration of this global report is issued (superseding the 2023 edition) on Global Meetings Industry Day, the global advocacy programme championed by Events Industry Council. This is the most authoritative global estimate of “above the waterline” economic impact of event expenditure by delegates and organisers….
Dubai Business Events Wins Association Development Award at Regional ICCA Summit
At the recent ICCA Middle East Summit, Dubai Business Events received the Association Development Award for its pivotal role in fostering collaboration between regional and international associations. Through Dubai Association Centre, DBE drives sustainable economic growth and advances legacy building within the association sector. From Emirates News Agency…
Africa MICE Summit Kicks Off in Kenya
Regional business events leaders discussed how to increase collaboration, turn individual success stories into systematic improvement, develop frontline skills, and raise awareness about the strategic impact of events with African policymakers. From The Star (Kenya)…
ISO Approves New Technical Committee on Events
This is a big move towards common ISO standards for events: industry association leaders should be reaching out to UFI CEO Chris Skeith, who’s been proposed as Inaugural Chair. Championed by UFI, managed by AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation), the ISO Technical Committee on Events is a milestone in advancing international standards for the sector…
A Seat at the Place Leadership Top Table for Lyn Lewis-Smith
Business NSW’s gain is also a win for the Business Events sector, recognising the importance of meetings in a destination’s economic strategy… Business NSW is pleased to welcome Lyn Lewis-Smith OAM GAICD to the Board, appointed as a director on 1 September 2025. Lyn has served as a Business NSW State Councillor since February and…
Celebrating World Charity Day With Purpose and Partnership
From Glasgow Convention Bureau: This World Charity Day, we’re proud to reflect on the incredible partnership between the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology – EAACI Congress 2025 and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. In June, during the Congress held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, over 350 dedicated runners laced up…
MMP China Rallies Powerhouse Panels
Organised by ITB China, MICE Meeting Point conference and exhibition, taking place in Beijing from 11-12 September and promises to be a focal gathering for business event and corporate travel professionals. Featuring a blend of forums, exhibitions, and panel discussions aimed at dissecting the current state and future direction of the industry. From MIX Meetings…
2025 Incredible Impacts Main Grant Finalists & Seed Grant Winner Announced
ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance have announced the recipients and finalists of the 2025 Incredible Impacts Programme, which recognises associations delivering transformational impact through their events. One of the three finalists for the $20,000 USD Main Grant is the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) – World Rural Health Conference (Limerick, 2022). Conference Chair, and…
A Decade of Momentum: Australia’s Space Community is Stepping onto the World Stage
From Carolin Lenehan, BESydney: If there was ever a single graph to demonstrate a knowledge economy benefit of global conferences this is it. The International Astronautical Federation‘s Annual Congress returns to Australia this September. The last time it visited our shores in 2017, the Australian Space Agency was born. On the announcement Sydney was to…
Sydney’s New Economic Strategy Commits to Driving Growth Through International Events
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) welcomes the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which aims to generate A$91 billion in annual visitor spending and 150,000 new jobs by 2035. Developed with input from over 500 stakeholders, the strategy emphasises “Drive Growth Through Events.” BESydney has already secured 66 upcoming events, bringing 46,000 delegates, 174,000 delegate days,…
Sarawak Secures Strong University Interest in Impact-Focused Events
Sarawak is redefining academic conferences through BESarawak’s Academia Malaysia Advocacy Programme. With universities embracing legacy-driven events aligned to PCDS 2030 and UNSDGs, and innovations like AI.LEGACY plus major infrastructure growth, Sarawak is set to become the hub where research sparks lasting societal, environmental, and economic impact. From Sarawak Tribune…
#OpenToWork: Meetings Industry Job Market Shows Strain
From Skift Meetings: The poor jobs reports of the past three months reflect what planners are seeing in the meetings industry — fewer jobs with more applicants. There’s growing number of green #OpenToWork circles on LinkedIn and posts from job hunters about their struggles trying to find work in the meetings industry…
Steen Jakobsen Appointed New CEO of GainingEdge
Leading global tourism and business events industry consulting firm, GainingEdge has announced that Steen Jakobsen will begin work as the company’s new CEO on September 1, 2025. Jakobsen has more than 25 years of international experience in the global tourism and business events industry. He served as Director of the Copenhagen Convention Bureau for 14…
Meetings Point the Way in China
ITB China’s new MICE Meeting Point, debuting in Beijing Sept 11–12, has partnered with the China Association of Travel Services’ MICE Committee and the China Advertising Association’s Event Marketing Committee. The collaboration aims to drive professional development, foster international cooperation, and connect global resources with China’s evolving business events industry.
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