This year’s VisitBrussels Night celebrated the academics, scientific and healthcare professionals, and business leaders whose bids brought important international events to Brussels. The event was a great opportunity to hear views on the strategic role of business events from industry thought-leaders. Over 150 ambassadors, 300,000 delegates and EUR 250 million in direct economic impact …
From Flanders Convention Bureau: The world of international association conferences has changed dramatically in recent years. From face-to-face to virtual during the pandemic, and now a growing shift towards hybrid formats – where do we go from here? Flanders Convention Bureau conducted research and published a paper which explores: The challenges and opportunities of hybrid…
One of the final acts of impact aficionado at VISITFLANDERS, Gemmeke de Jongh, saw the unveiling of the organisation’s Impact Framework & Methodology in Bruges, Belgium, applied to the 36th edition of the European Academy of Childhood Disability Annual Meeting last year. The President of the meeting, Elegast Monbalin, joined IMPACT DAY – a gathering…
The CityDNA Autumn Conference co-located once more alongside the GDS-Forum and this year, in Bruges, with the VISITFLANDERS Impact Day reveal of the DMO’s Impact Framework co-developed with partners, #Meet4Impact. Having 3 events in one week certainly confirms a sustainable approach to what is becoming a festival feel to the CityDNA gathering. But what sets…
Proponents of the social impact of events narrative convened in Bruges for IMPACT DAY hosted by The VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau, #MEET4IMPACT, and the GDS-Movement to discuss how collaboration between social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and government can collaborate to drive positive change using association meetings as the catalyst. “We’re impact creators…”, explained Genevieve Leclerc, co-founder of…
Bruges, Belgium, hosted the second GDS-Forum / CityDNA Autumn Conference ‘Double-Bill’ to seek solutions, and to advance & celebrate the world’s leading destination sustainability movement. “I think the visitor economy is a bit broken – and that people, communities, and nature are suffering,” explained the GDS-Movement’s founder and chief changemaker, Guy Bigwood, adding that, “we…
visit.brussels is the Brussels-Capital Region’s tourism promotion and communications agency, committed to the promotion of tourism, culture and events in the Brussels-Capital Region. The Convention & Association Bureau’s team of professionals provides free professional services to help you with project planning and design for your conference, congress, trade fair, or other international event in Brussels….
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From Meetings International: The Belgian city of Antwerp has been a central trading hub for centuries and is home to Europe’s second-largest port. It is also the capital of the diamond trade and the world’s second-largest petrochemical cluster. The city is also known for its legacy of fine art, design, contemporary architecture, and fashion, and…
From GDS-Movement: In mid-October, the historic city of Bruges hosted the second edition of the GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference, organised by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and CityDNA (City Destinations Alliance) in collaboration with Visit Bruges. Held under the theme, “Let Pigs Fly,” the event took on the playful yet ambitious challenge to…
From HQ Magazine: ‘Disruption’, ‘holistic approach’, ‘retargeting’, ‘added-value’, each industry has its own buzzwords in order to navigate discourses and guide collective thought processes. Words are essential to instigate organised reactions, to sew in letters a manifesto, but if they are stripped of their real meaning and chewed on incessantly, they end up falling into…
From GDS-Movement: The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 GDS-Awards. The ceremony, held at the Bruges Royal Municipal Theatre during the GDS-Forum & CityDNA Autumn Conference on the evening of 16 October, recognised destinations raising the bar of sustainability, innovation, and long-lasting positive impact in the…
From ICCA and BestCities: The European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD)’s 36th Annual Meeting inspired a vision for a better future for individuals with childhood-onset disabilities. The event celebrated excellence in research and education while raising vital awareness of their needs and rights. Through the impactful EACD+ programme, it expanded access to sports, culture, and…
The Visitor Experience Expert Meeting (formerly known as the TIC Expert Meeting) offers a mix of incentive and exchange opportunities for all attendees. This is why the diversity of participants is of great importance. This event is for managers and TIC front office professionals coming from small and large cities and working for either public…
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Elisabeth Van Ingelgem is the current Director of Strategy & International Development at visit.brussels, holding the role since June 2020. In this role, she oversees the strategic direction and international growth of the organization, focusing on enhancing Brussels’ visibility and attractiveness as a global tourism, cultural, and business events destination. Prior to this, she held…
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After four years of study at the Ecole Hôtelière (Hotel School) in Lausanne (Switzerland), it was quite natural that his career should be oriented toward this sector. From 1998 to 2009, he worked with Martins Hotels, overseeing the development, management, and acquisition of hotels. His diverse expertise spans business management, hotel development, marketing, and team…
The AIPC Academy is the only comprehensive professional development program specifically serving the needs of international convention centre managers! Designed to address the critical need for centres to maintain fully qualified staff in a highly competitive industry, the AIPC Academy provides a targeted, cost effective form of training and development along with the means to…
From Conference & Meetings World: On 17 April, the ‘EU Dialogue: Driving Positive Change in the Meetings Industry’ took place in Brussels, an event that was an official part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Over 180 industry professionals and European policy makers from 15 countries/EU member states took part….
The GDS-Awards Ceremony will bring the GDS and CityDNA communities together in an entertaining and inspiring, evening-time celebration to recognise the winners of the 9th GDS-Index Awards. The larger platform enables greater reach and recognition for and aspiration around destinations whose sustainability contributions have now exceeded pre-pandemic levels in a global industry with a growing…
The CityDNA Autumn Conference will provide destination professionals working for Tourist Boards, CVBs & DMOs with a unique occasion to meet and network with colleagues from Europe and beyond, while learning and sharing knowledge and insights on the latest trends and challenges or urban tourism in Europe. The CityDNA conference will showcase a diverse range…
Change is happening faster and greater than expected. Climate, cities, the workplace, artificial intelligence, and visitor numbers are changing exponentially. So how do we go from doom to boom? How can we harness the potential of the social and technological transformation happening around us to regenerate our cities, communities, and natural habitats, and become more…
Join us for this event and be part of the dialogue between the Meetings Industry and European policymakers to achieve a positive impact for society and destinations. The EU Dialogue offers the opportunity to highlight the key roles, impacts and challenges of the Meetings Industry in Europe and debate about the changes and transition that…
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