This article from the Centre for Events and Festivals analyses and summarises a new research report on long-term event impact from the University of Technology Sydney Business School, which shows governments are vastly underselling their investment in attracting conferences, justifying it purely with tourism data such as delegate hotel spend.
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.
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.
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…
Apollo bought 140 trade shows. Searchlight bought CloserStill. MARI bought the consumer side. In short: Apollo, Searchlight, and MARI just spent $5B on live events in seven months. What looked like isolated deals may signal a broader shift: live events becoming a serious asset class. David Adler spells out the profound implications of these mega-purchases.
Futurist, urbanist, author Greg Lindsay’s speech to the Events Industry Council on Global Meetings Industry Day draws parallels between the nuclear fusion of stars and serendipitous power of both cities and business events to unlock human potential. An inspiring take on the value of our industry that speaks to policymakers in language they will understand.
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…
Lena Miranda, CEO of Linköping Science Park in Sweden and board member of the International Association of Science Parks & Areas of Innovation makes the case for events that bring together professionals from life sciences, technology, academia, healthcare and investment, and why destinations need to strategically partner with science parks in their cities and regions.
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.
The spike in the price of airline fuel has raised the stakes for international associations wondering where to hold their next annual congress. For organisations used to the familiar tread of rotation patterns and long-term planning cycles, the impact of higher airfares on budgets and congress attendance is another factor to throw into the mix.
As global dynamics shift and power relations are being redefined, which countries are securing the preference of international audiences? Join this webinar on 03 June for a preview of findings from the 2026 RepCore® Nations analysis, exploring how countries are perceived around the world and what this may mean for their competitiveness and international standing.
This first-of-its-kind global event will take place May 13, 2026, designed to expand advocacy beyond government relations to empower stakeholders across the destination ecosystem, and redefine how the industry approaches advocacy by convening destination leaders, board members, public officials, private sector partners and community stakeholders for a dynamic, interactive experience spanning multiple global time zones.
From Meetings Today, by Vincent Alonzo: On April 22, more than 10,000 Earth Day events unfolded across the globe—river cleanups in Bali, regenerative tourism pledges in Canada, LEED-certified renovations in Tampa, and a wave of “conscious luxury” messaging from hotel brands worldwide. The meetings and events industry showed up as well. On paper, at least…
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.
PCMA continues to advance its role as the global platform for the business events community by investing in the people, insights, and innovations that will define the future of the industry. In a rapidly evolving landscape, PCMA is taking steps to ensure the community is both prepared for what’s next, and positioned to lead it.
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.
Kai Hattendorf documents a fundamental shift in the way AI will influence the future of events: rather than primarily being a suite of tools for organisers, AI’s most impactful role will be in how younger delegates use it long before the event starts to guide their entire decision-making on whether and how to participate.
Associations have only a few weeks left to prepare and submit entries for this year’s programme, with US$25,000 in grants on offer. Co-organised by BestCities Global Alliance and ICCA, Incredible Impacts encourages associations to share the innovative ways in which their meetings generate societal value, locally and nationally where the meeting takes place, or worldwide.
David Adler, Gathering Point News, explores the rationale for establishing the Centre for Events & Festivals as a response to a fragmented events industry, weak knowledge-sharing, and limited use of evidence. The organisation aims to bridge academia and practice, strengthen collaboration, and promote more sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused approaches to event design and delivery.
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