Global conflict, policy change and socio-political instability are having a growing and measurable impact on the international meetings and conferences industry. The findings reveal a significant shift in the operating environment for international meetings. 73.84% of respondents said global conflicts have impacted their ability to plan or host international meetings, up from 53.92% in 2025.
Building on the Copenhagen Risk Assessment White Paper from 2023, the Copenhagen Risk Navigator 2026 aims to elevate risk management to a core business discipline across the entire international business events ecosystem. The Navigator equips organisations, associations and destinations with a shared framework and structured approach to understanding, prioritising, and mitigating risk.
SITE and Maritz have released Investigating the Power of Incentive Travel Across Generations, a comprehensive study into how generations respond to incentive travel, reward and recognition. Findings show incentive travel works powerfully across every generation, but the profile of the people earning travel, assumptions behind programme design and the meaning of the reward are shifting.
University of Exeter research is being used to enhance the world’s only annual sustainability tourism and events benchmark since 2025. The GDS-Index Systems Map shows destinations how specific actions may create knock-on effects across environmental, social, supplier and destination management areas, empowering cities to make more effective decisions for a more sustainable visitor economy.
The 2026 Economic Significance of Business Events study by EIC found that the “invisible industry” — a term coined by Charles Osgood to describe “an industry that no one thinks about, let alone thinks about as an industry” — supports 24.2 million jobs and contributes $3.1 trillion in sales to the global economy. From Skift…
The new global research provides a comprehensive view of the scale, scope and impact of business events worldwide, measuring activity across more than 180 countries. Produced in association with Oxford Economics, the study finds that business events generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending and supported US$1.8 trillion in total GDP worldwide in 2025. From EIC…
Effective advocacy requires access to accurate information and this inaugural report, “Strength Beneath the Surface,” was designed with a primary goal: To provide a loud and clearer voice for group travel, one that cuts through the noise and misperceptions, especially after a challenging 2025. In short: there is much evidence of resilience and optimism.
AI is increasing the need for human meetings, not reducing it, according to new research commissioned by The Meetings Show. Challenging assumptions about the role of technology in improving efficiency, almost two-thirds of business leaders (62 per cent) say AI is increasing the need for human discussion and alignment. From M&IT…
Germany continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for international meetings, congresses and events. The MICE sector remains stable, reinforcing the value of personal connections and strong networks. Despite global market pressures, Germany’s event industry continues to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a strong focus on quality and international appeal.
In 2025, IAPCO Accredited PCO members organised 23,512 meetings and events across 187 office locations worldwide (an increase of 20.77% from 2024), with over 7.7 million participants. While the number of meetings delivered has increased, average participant numbers per event have dropped from 408 to 328, pointing to a market that is changing shape.
Live B2B event production company Encore and consultancy/research company Boldpush surveyed 447 event professionals to map the current state of experience design, focusing on four key areas: programming, connection, technology and trust. Headline finding: events and participant demands are evolving faster than the playbooks currently being used. Download the full report, free of charge…
This new edition reflects the author’s unique ability to blend academic rigour with practical relevance, making it an essential guide for students, professionals, and educators within the events industry. Case studies from every continent, experts’ perspectives, and thought-provoking discussion points at the end of each chapter, ensure that this volume remains an indispensable resource.
To assist business events organisations to develop their own comprehensive sustainability strategies, IMEX is sharing details about its business philosophy, experiences, and implementation models. While industry progress remains uneven and the need for clear direction persists, the strategy positions sustainability as central to how the sector responds to risk, regulation and long-term resilience.
Destination Canada’s Canadian Tourism Outlook 2026–2035, prepared with Tourism Economics, highlights that demand for Canada as a destination is accelerating. The sector is outperforming expectations. The opportunity ahead is bigger than ever. This Outlook gives industry, government and partners a shared, current view of where growth is heading and what it takes to capture it.
Executive assistants remain the largest group of business event organisers in Australia; this provides a useful snapshot of how buying behaviour is shifting. Activity and budgets are back to 2019 levels but the way events are being planned has changed: Lead times are shorter. Convenience, speed and ease of delivery are now key decision drivers.
David Adler digs deeply into the Freeman Spring 2026 Learning Trends Report, highlighting the content strategies that truly motivate and engage attendees, driving impact and repeat attendance. The era of celebrity speakers and rock band “networking” events is being overtaken by attendee demand to put usable ideas and solutions at the centre of event design.
Destinations International has released a comprehensive new resource designed to help destination leaders strengthen relationships with residents and stakeholders while advancing long-term community alignment. Grounded in insights from the Futures Study and shaped by global industry leaders, the Destination Professional’s Guide to Community Engagement offers a practical framework to help destination organizations measure meaningful impact.
City Nation Place has released a benchmarking report into the different approaches taken by a range of destinations to build competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent. There are certain to be many lessons that can be taken on board when designing business event strategies that share this same objective.
PCMA Insights, a resource for business events leaders has been released, designed to help make sense of an increasingly complex business environment. Also available to download is PCMA’s flagship annual report on how event strategists in companies and associations, and destination leaders in city and national DMOs worldwide are planning, designing and leading through 2026.
This second edition globe survey is being conducted in collaboration with IAPCO, AIPC, AMCI, IFES and PCMA, to understand how the business events sector is being impacted by the current geopolitical and economic environment. Deadline for submissions is 10 April 2026!
Findings from the newly released Northstar Meetings Group/Cvent PULSE Survey (APAC), conducted in March 2026, show geopolitical and economic risks rising to the top of planners’ concerns, reshaping sentiment across the region. Despite this, demand remains resilient as the region’s planners continue to actively source and book events.
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