The inaugural Advocacy & Action event will unite and reimagine two of DI’s most dynamic gatherings into one event dedicated to advancing purpose-driven destination leadership. “Advocacy & Action brings together the full spectrum of what destination organisations stand for — community resilience, brand stewardship, leadership and impact,” said Don Welsh, DI President & CEO.
From TSNN: ECA’s Tommy Goodwin explains what’s at stake as SCOTUS hears arguments in two tariff cases on November 5 and why it matters to the trade show industry: Since January 20, the White House has been ground zero for tariff policy changes negatively impacting the trade show industry. In the coming days, the focus…
Business events across the U.S. are facing mounting cancellations and disruptions due to the ongoing federal shutdown that began on October 1. Government-linked conferences are hit hardest, with major gatherings being scaled back or scrapped entirely, forcing planners to re-evaluate travel, location and engagement strategies amid uncertainty. From Skift Meetings…
Destination Canada has completed its first Climate Action Plan — a major step in its sustainability journey and a signal of Canada’s leadership in regenerative tourism. Together with its long-term conference impact research, it highlights the importance of minimising negative environmental impacts while maximising the positive societal impacts generated by business and professional events.
Nearly 90 senior executives and thought leaders gathered in Washington, DC for the new gathering, designed to bring together the most influential voices in corporate travel management. The event offered a platform where Travel Management Companies, suppliers and buyers could exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and explore the evolving business case for managed travel. From TravelPulse…
Flight disruptions are intensifying in the U.S. as some 13,000 air-traffic controllers continue working without pay amid the federal shutdown. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said staffing has reached the lowest point in decades, and many controllers are working six days a week without pay during the government shutdown. From Northstar…
Erik Hansen, a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Travel Association, has been named senior VP, head of government relations. He will lead the association’s advocacy on travel policies, including infrastructure, border management, and traveler programs, as the U.S. prepares for events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. From U.S. Travel Association…
Business Events Montreal argues that destinations and the business and professional events they host should unapologetically push back against censorship, DEI “cancellation,” and anti-science climate-change denialism. It says safe platforms for civilised disagreement are vital for progress and believes this stance strengthens Montreal’s appeal for international meetings, aligning business interests with a firm moral position.
David Adler deconstructs the unique outcome-oriented elements that Young Presidents Organisation has incorporated in their Global Business Summit, with invaluable lessons for any organisers focused on how to maximise the deal-making and relationship-building elements of their own events. Read the GatheringPoint.News article here
From TSNN: A newly authorized $250 Visa Integrity Fee could reshape the cost — and feasibility — of attending trade shows and exhibitions in the U.S. Though slated to take effect October 1, 2025, the fee remains in bureaucratic limbo. No one’s paying it yet, but many are bracing for impact.
For 70 years, PCMA has been more than an association. We have been a conduit for change, a catalyst for innovation, and a community that drives the business events community forward. As we gather in Philadelphia, a city built on bold ideas and collective action, our focus is clear: to look back to push forward,…
For the first time in 20 years, the United States is no longer ranked amongst the world’s Top 10 most powerful passports. Once unrivalled at No.1 in 2014, the American passport has now slumped to 12th place, tied with Malaysia, with visa-free access to only 180 of 227 destinations worldwide. From Henley & Partners…
Prof Mike Duignan deconstructs the academically rigorous structure underpinning Destination Canada, #MEET4IMPACT and GainingEdge’s multi-year, multi-event impact research project, which is leading the way in developing insights on the key determinants and best models for measuring societal, scientific and business impacts. The five Vs are: Volume of data; Variety of sources; Velocity with which data…
Kai Hattendorf moderated a high-powered panel consisting of Cvent CEO and founder Reggie Aggarwal, DMC Network Managing Director Aoife Delaney and IMEX’s CEO Carina Bauer on “State of the Industry: From Intention to Action”. We’ve linked to the Snapsight AI summary of the key points from their wide-ranging discussion. There’s plenty of food for thought!
For the latest news and factual information, and intelligent analysis of both current impacts and anticipated future implications of the continuing shutdown, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance is the go-to resource for the business events sector. We recommend signing up to their newsletter and following their updates.
Over 17,000 attendees flocked to Las Vegas 7-9 October for the latest edition of this world-leading business events marketplace, with strong international participation and record volumes of scheduled appointments. The record number of visitors came despite the U.S. federal government’s shutdown, which is slowing down air traffic and customs. From Northstar Meetings Group…
Hundreds of thousands of government employees are on furlough, while others—such as security guards and air traffic controllers—are working without pay. And in the midst of this standstill, IMEX America, the largest trade fair for the global meetings, events, and incentive travel industry, opens today in Las Vegas. From tw weekly…
Annual Convention is the destination organization industry’s premier event to meet your peers and gain cutting-edge knowledge to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. The world of destination marketing and management is now completely different. Destination organization professionals of today must have a renewed focus on solutions to tackle the challenges of showcasing organizational strength and…
The Convention Sales & Services Summit is a cross-functional gathering of sales and services professionals dedicated to helping clients plan and execute successful meetings and events. Gain strategic insights and leadership skills to drive your teams to success, sharpen your selling techniques and learn from the best in the field, explore cutting-edge trends and innovations…
Enjoy and learn from inspirational conversations with your peers. Share your experiences and concerns in a setting of openness and trust. You will be provoked, prodded and challenged to explore the most pressing leadership and industry issues through remarkable keynotes, hot topic presentations, break-out sessions, and panel discussions.
The summit is the preeminent gathering place of marketing, communications and public relations professionals dedicated to helping destination organizations thrive. Benefit from the interaction, information and insights offered by this unrivalled opportunity for personal and professional development tailored specifically to seasoned marketing and communications professionals at destination organizations.
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