Trade show marketing contributes near $2 trillion to the worldwide economy. Trade Shows from One Country to the Next delves into the international differences when exhibiting products and services outside of your country of origin. The book focuses on the needed adjustments that must be made to achieve greater success communicating at a trade show.
ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance have announced the recipients and finalists of the 2025 Incredible Impacts Programme, which recognises associations delivering transformational impact through their events. One of the three finalists for the $20,000 USD Main Grant is the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) – World Rural Health Conference (Limerick, 2022). Conference Chair, and…
From Skift Meetings: The poor jobs reports of the past three months reflect what planners are seeing in the meetings industry — fewer jobs with more applicants. There’s growing number of green #OpenToWork circles on LinkedIn and posts from job hunters about their struggles trying to find work in the meetings industry…
Henley Business Centre Professors Andrew and Nada Kakabadse outline ways in which insights and data from local, frontline stakeholders are key for international associations to navigate turbulent times. Without systems for obtaining such input, Boards cannot navigate effectively. This applies particularly to international meetings, as key platforms for obtaining grassroots feedback and input into strategy.
View this video interview of Guy Bigwood, CEO and Chief Changemaker with Global Destination Sustainability Movement, as part of the series “Travel Redefined: Tourism for People and Planet” by Content with Purpose and Global Sustainable Tourism Council, in which he urges destinations to start thinking and acting beyond sustainability and into regeneration.
Leading global tourism and business events industry consulting firm, GainingEdge has announced that Steen Jakobsen will begin work as the company’s new CEO on September 1, 2025. Jakobsen has more than 25 years of international experience in the global tourism and business events industry. He served as Director of the Copenhagen Convention Bureau for 14…
From GatheringPoint.news, by David Adler: The events industry is the vast ecosystem behind conventions, trade shows, conferences, festivals, and brand experiences—a powerful engine that moves people, money, and ideas. As offices went hybrid and remote, these gatherings absorbed the social, professional, and even romantic collisions that used to happen at work…
The Events Industry Council (EIC) has launched the updated Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam, aligned with 2025 CMP International Standards. Enhancing global relevance, the revision adds domains on sustainability, technology integration, evaluation, and risk management, ensuring the CMP credential remains the benchmark for excellence in a rapidly evolving events industry.
This City/Nation/Place article highlights how economic development agencies and universities can best collaborate, but notably absent is the business/professional events sector, a key vector for such partnerships and for maximising collaborative impact: evidence that our industry still has far to go before earning a permanent seat among place leaders.
The US will impose sweeping import tariffs from 7th August, targeting key trade partners including Canada, China, and the EU. Trade shows face rising costs, disrupted logistics, and lost de minimis exemptions. While small to midsize exhibitors may pull back, committed firms see opportunities in maintaining visibility and adapting strategically. From Trade Show Executive…
ECA continues to advocate for lower visa wait times at US embassies and consulates around the world. As of May 25, 51 US embassies and consulates had average interview wait times of 3 months or longer. Long wait times persist in Mexico, India, Columbia, and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries. While wait times…
UFI has released the latest 35th edition of its flagship Global Exhibition Barometer report, which captures the current status and outlook of the exhibition industry worldwide. The UFI Barometer has been providing benchmark data across key metrics for the industry since 2009, helping organisations to gain insight on trends to help them plan their business…
From Skift Meetings: Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg says meetings are a bigger expense than IT when you add the cost of attendees’ time and salaries. So why is no one at the top in charge? Few corporations view meetings as a critical business function and there’s no one at the executive level who actually owns…
From City Nation Place: Ever booked a trip, only to suddenly feel a nagging doubt as political headlines flare up? You’re not alone. In today’s hyper-connected world, the news doesn’t just inform us; it shapes our choices, especially when it comes to travel. Political instability isn’t just a distant issue anymore; it’s a critical player…
From Centre for Events & Festivals: Why do some international meetings keep circling the same regions, while others roam the globe? Behind every association event is a quiet game of geography, power, and preference — one that shapes who gets access to knowledge, influence, and economic return. While host cities compete aggressively to secure International…
From Freeman: Today’s attendees aren’t satisfied with small talk. They want real, genuine connections, and fresh industry insights. They want a new kind of networking. This component of Freeman’s XLNC Framework (eXperience, Learning, Networking, and Commerce) gives new insights to drive measurable event value by strategically designing modern networking experiences.
From GatheringPoint.news: For too long, the event industry has treated networking like a natural resource — abundant, automatic, and free. Put people in a room, offer wine, dim the lights, and wait for something to happen. Connection, we’ve assumed, is a given. It isn’t. And Freeman’s 2025 Networking Trends Report says so—finally and forcefully.
Informa, the international Live B2B Events, B2B Digital Services and Academic Markets Group, today published half year results for 2025, delivering 20%+ reported revenue growth, increasing operating margins and confirming £150m of additional share buybacks. Group CEO Stephen A. Carter talks through what’s driving Informa’s strong performance and the outlook for the rest of 2025…
From SFA-Connect: Understanding why international business events choose specific host cities is essential for cities looking to attract more conferences and meetings. While factors like accessibility, venue capacity, and destination appeal play a role, a key insight from our analysis shows that the majority of events align closely with the host city’s academic strengths, industrial…
A comprehensive analysis of the travel industry, the report includes more than 300 charts and insights covering nearly every facet of the industry. Despite the rising geopolitical and trade tensions, there has been sustained growth in global travel demand, but the online travel distribution landscape is fragmenting as financial institutions launch their own booking platforms…
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