The editors at Nature Mircobiology outline why they attended 27 scientific conferences last year. In short, it’s for virtually the same reasons as the researchers, students, speakers, technologists and professors who make up the rest of their attendee ecosystem! A great summary of why conferences are so vital for everyone in the scientific community.
Despite continuing geopolitical uncertainty, meeting planner optimism continues to trend upward, although 2026 expectations have softened slightly for both meeting volume and attendance. Download the free report for exclusive data, region-by-region breakdowns, and deeper insights into the global events industry. From M&C Asia…
Meetings International’s Roger Kellerman laments the failure of so many countries’ national governments to adopt transformative event strategies, and suggests a few actions the events sector can take to help solve this problem: If a country creates a strategy for events and major sports championships, only to never actually implement it, this inverted power move…
Industry guru Gary Grimmer on the need for a new acronym to effectively communicate the true USP of business and professional events: Leveraging International Networks and Knowledge. From Meetings International: Over the years, it has been common to hear association leaders, meeting planners, and people from convention bureaux, venues, and PCOs say that collectively, we…
David Adler argues that participation is the USP that has driven the value and impact of events from time immemorial, and that new technologies that fail to unlock meaningful participation will fail whilst those that widen and deepen interactivity will thrive. From GatheringPoint.news…
The impact and value of business events won’t be maximised by cutting and pasting past models. For the sector to enjoy long-term success, inspiration and innovation need to be drawn from every potential source. From M&C/Asia: Event designers wanting to leave an impression on attendees can learn a thing or two from creators across industries…
From AMI: The campaign will throw a spotlight on how IAPCO members can help associations through governance support, driving advocacy, and creating outcomes that matter. Martin Boyle, CEO of IAPCO, said: “Associations deserve the highest standards and IAPCO accreditation is that guarantee. From strategic guidance and content curation to logistical precision and compliance expertise…
For all those confused about the roles and aspirations of the umbrella organisations that aim to provide global leadership for our industry (and our Alphabet Soup of business event associations!), Kai Hattendorf’s article is a must-read: Global Meetings Industry Day to move from US Travel Association to EIC—an alignment, or a strategic power play?
Skift Meetings Editor-in-Chief Miguel Neves dissects key factors driving corporate trust in the power of events to unlock business value in ways that are inaccessible to other channels and tools: Brands are making bold experiential moves, and the events industry stands to benefit — if it delivers on the promise of meaningful experiences…
The 2025 GDS-Index Report marks a decade of progress as destinations worldwide accelerate climate action and sustainability efforts, and reveals a 31% increase in average performance across all participating destinations since the programme began. This year’s theme, Shifting Tides, reflects a period of global transition during which destinations demonstrate remarkable resilience and accelerated action.
This Meetings International report is packed with thought-leadership articles on issues such as using Futurist techniques, implementing augmented analytics, the future role within Business Events strategies for Science Parks and Business Incubators, restating our industry’s value proposition via a catchy(?) new acronym, and how destinations are using events to reinvent their branding and market competitiveness.
Kai Hattendorf draws some worrying conclusions from his analysis of a high-level survey and White Paper on corporate meetings by ELX. Event teams want to act strategically, but without robust measurement, executive buy-in, or visible impact, they remain internal service providers, unable to unlock their events’ enormous full potential.
Boardroom’s Vicky Koffa explores how Kuala Lumpur is helping to change the global Business Events narrative from carbon costs to societal value and innovation: It is easy to see why business events have become a target in sustainability debates. Delegates flying in from across the globe, vast exhibition halls buzzing with activity…
Kai Hattendorf with a deep-dive into a sector he knows intimately, drawing out lessons that are of value to meeting professionals both within the trade show sector but also far more widely. Main takeaway: “Experiences, not Engines” drive success.
IBTM World has announced the launch of IBTM Ignite, an initiative designed to connect start-ups with industry advisors and investors, providing space for early ideas and creative thinking. Over a hundred new start-ups representing sectors including event technology, sustainability, new event agency concepts, and inclusive talent sourcing businesses will take part in this year’s programme.
CityNationPlace asserts that place leadership teams are prioritising socially conscious strategies, and highlights some of the important implications for destination branding and stakeholder engagement. It isn’t just within the Business Events sector where this perspective-shifting discussion is taking place: The days of chasing growth for growth’s sake are increasingly behind us…
Mark your calendars for 5 May 2026, when the next iteration of this global report is issued (superseding the 2023 edition) on Global Meetings Industry Day, the global advocacy programme championed by Events Industry Council. This is the most authoritative global estimate of “above the waterline” economic impact of event expenditure by delegates and organisers….
Founded by designer, author and pro speaker David McCandless, this website is dedicated to making sense of the world with graphics and data visuals. Packed with information on economics, social issues, business and trade, demographics, scientific progress and healthcare performance, it also provides great advice on how to turn your own data into compelling stories.
A planner’s guide to making a lasting mark on attendees, companies, communities, and the environment: In this report, Skift Meetings set out to provide insights, strategies, and real-world examples to empower planners to create events that not only meet objectives but also leave a lasting positive impact on their attendees, communities, and the planet.
This is a big move towards common ISO standards for events: industry association leaders should be reaching out to UFI CEO Chris Skeith, who’s been proposed as Inaugural Chair. Championed by UFI, managed by AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation), the ISO Technical Committee on Events is a milestone in advancing international standards for the sector…
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