In an eventful week, Valencia in Spain hosted the inaugural GDS-Forum organised by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) which preceded the CityDNA Autumn Conference. The Forum departed from the meeting norms of pre-pandemic times to unveil the ‘unconference’ which Founder and CEO, Guy Bigwood, described as ‘a workshop on steroids’. It was undoubtedly different…
Bruce MacMillan, chief operating officer at PCMA, joined The Iceberg at the Abu Dhabi Business Events Forum to reflect on the progress of Project SPARK, the organisation’s generative AI tool developed alongside Singapore technology partner, Gevme. The post-pandemic eventscape reveals a productivity gap addressed by SPARK and it’s unsurprising to see the organisation introduce an…
By Paul Bailey, MBA, HMCC, SES: In our rapidly evolving professional landscape, the concept of the ‘third space’ – a term coined to describe social surroundings separate from home and work – has gained significant importance. This space, traditionally manifesting in cafes, libraries, or community centers, has long been a crucible for spontaneous interactions, intellectual…
Europe’s leading destination management and development leaders from cities across Europe and beyond convened to explore the positive impacts derived from tourism (and events) exploring 4 key pillars, or building blocks, including Climate Action, Social Responsibility, the Circular Economy, and Societal Impact. The event echoed the mission of the European knowledge sharing alliance for cities…
From Boardroom: When people think of Canada, they may picture pristine mountainous landscapes, the most famously friendly people in the world or perhaps a bottle of maple syrup. And while Canada is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty and an incredibly welcoming population – some of whom enjoy a drizzle of syrup here and there…
From MM+M: When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in early 2020, nearly everything turned virtual — from doctor visits to large medical conferences. Over the last year or two, however, there’s been a significant return to in-person events and conferences. Now, a study released this week indicates a general preference for in-person events among healthcare…
From Northstar Meetings Group: At Northstar’s Leadership Forum in Monterey, Calif., Geoff Freeman outlined the U.S. Travel Association’s strategy to spur that action and sector growth. The trillion-dollar travel industry is plagued by a lack of recognition and respect among business leaders and policymakers in the United States, according to Geoff Freeman, CEO of the…
From Destination Canada: Canada’s tourism sector has made significant strides since our previous outlook in Fall 2022 and we are now moving past recovery to a much welcome rebound, with tourism spend set to return to pre-COVID levels in 2023, earlier than previously forecasted. As we move from surviving to thriving, the Canadian tourism sector,…
This groundbreaking report, now in its fifth year, provides a comprehensive analysis of meeting destinations worldwide, offering insights into their competitiveness, strengths, and areas for improvement. This year’s edition shifts its focus to three major global regions: Top 30 EMEA destinations (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Top 15 APAC destinations (Asia-Pacific and Oceania), and Top 15…
From Boardroom: As we strive towards a more sustainable future, the integration of AI into association operations can be a game-changer. It not only enhances the efficiency of organizations but also contributes significantly to building a more sustainable world. This article, part of our Building Back Better series, explores the ways in which AI benefits…
On the second day of IBTM World 2023, Gorazd Cad and Jan Orsic were joined by Christine Renaud, the CEO and co-founder of e180, a B-Corporation founded in Montreal in 2011, whose mission is to reinvent how humans learn around the world. Her brainchild – Braindate – has over a million users and has been…
From GCB: Megatrends such as New Work, demographic change, and Artificial Intelligence are on their way to becoming firmly established in our daily lives. In the context of business events, these and other trends have already driven enormous developments in certain fields. With its 2024 research focus, the innovation network Future Meeting Space addresses the…
From PCMA: The Olympic Games, the largest sporting event in the world, is aiming to make next year’s edition in Paris its most sustainable ever. What can the events community learn from its plans and its progress? In ways both small and large, the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a series of firsts….
Convening EMEA is PCMA EMEA’s annual flagship event bringing together the global business events industry for an immersive 3-day programme in Europe. The event attracts 500+ business event leaders from over 40 countries to challenge each other and develop ways to move forward together. It is the platform to share knowledge, make meaningful connections, learn,…
From The Japan Times: There is a common lament echoing through the halls of Expo City Dubai, the 400-hectare conference venue where the COP28 climate conference is being held: The event feels more like a slick trade show than an environmental summit. About 100,000 attendees — nearly three times those who attended COP26 in Glasgow,…
Powered by 
