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…
From Boardroom: Sven Bossu, CEO of AIPC, unpacks the complexities and challenges of advocacy within the meetings industry. Drawing from first-hand experience and real-world examples, he explores why a structured, consistent approach is essential to making the industry’s voice heard—especially at the policy level.
As sustainability efforts gain momentum, fragmented rules frustrate crews and contractors. “Too many rulebooks for the same game,” one industry insider says. With multiple standards, shifting timelines, and unclear mandates, execution often falls apart on the show floor. Industry leaders are calling for unified, practical, consistent guidance, built for real-world conditions. From Exhibit City News…
By Guy Bigwood, CEO and Chief Changemaker, GDS-Movement: As destination leaders, we pride ourselves on adapting to change, crafting strategies that serve and protect people and places. The newly released and excellent 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study, developed through consultation with 537 participants from 36 countries, offers inspiration but, also, a warning. There’s much to applaud…
Our World in Data is a project of the Global Change Data Lab, whose purpose is to advance education in how global living conditions and the Earth’s environment are changing through the production and maintenance of public online resources. Produced in collaboration with Oxford University, its research and data is free to use and open-source.
David Adler argues that the events world is “standing on the edge of a full-scale operational and emotional re-write”. This isn’t a “how meeting professionals can best use AI” message, rather a call for industry insiders to radically reinvent the future of events, before they’re swept away by external forces and new modes of competition.
Loren Christie, GainingEdge Consultant and Managing Director of BestCities Global Alliance argues that Destination Marketing Organisations are discovering that collaboration enhances resilience, amplifies impact and drives innovation. These partnerships should be more than operational, they should be visionary and meaningful, and DMOs should leverage their qualities to bring unique value when hosting international association meetings.
In partnership with Destinations International, TravelAbility has created a customized Accessibility Playbook designed to assist destination organizations and their local stakeholders in developing and implementing practical accessibility strategies and initiatives, enabling them to better welcome and accommodate people with disabilities within their destination. The Accessibility Playbook helps destinations move from compliance to a competitive edge.
From Northstar Meetings Group: Destinations International has released the findings of its 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study. The research, which is conducted every two years in partnership with MMGY NextFactor, focuses on top trends impacting the industry, as well as strategies for navigating current issues. The 2025 report includes insights from a global advisory council, five…
The 2025 Destinations International DestinationNEXT arrives at a moment of profound transition for the global visitor economy. After a decade of disruption, reinvention, and recovery, destination organizations are entering a new era; one defined not only by shifting travel patterns and technologies, but by rising expectations from governments, communities, and travelers alike. This year’s study…
Sissi Lignou shares her bold vision as President of IAPCO — a vision rooted in purpose, passion, and the power of a global community working together. From amplifying the voice of IAPCO Accredited PCOs and deepening member engagement, to championing advocacy, education, and collaboration, Sissi’s leadership is focused on shaping a stronger, more visible meetings…
A comprehensive overview with extensive data on event management platforms, Apps and specialist tech suppliers, together with informed commentary and practical advice from technical experts and industry thought leaders about how to select and apply technology to meet strategic and operational objectives. From Skift Meetings…
In this compilation of interviews carried out during PCMA APAC and The Meetings Show APAC in Singapore and IMEX in Frankfurt, industry leaders and top destination specialists discuss how disruptions to long-established global relationships are actually creating openings for many more destinations to use business events to achieve world-class status in their areas of expertise….
Held during the 2025 IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt, this high-level interview with urbanist, author and global advisor Prof Greg Clark CBE FAcSS provides essential geopolitical and socioeconomic context for understanding the future potential direction of Business Events and what destinations that wish to strengthen their competitive positioning need to do. “A multiplication of opportunity…
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, has released its quarterly Global Events Barometer for 2025 Q1. The numbers reflect a slight dip in global business events from the end of 2024 but remain stronger than the same period last year. The report also acknowledges growing concern about the…
The link between CEO turnover and volume of corporate events demonstrates the critical role meetings play in companies’ strategic relationships both internally and with key stakeholders. From Skift Meetings: A wave of CEO turnover is creating new demand for in-person gatherings. From leadership summits to town halls, companies are convening under new leadership…
BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) have renewed their partnership through a three-year agreement to continue the annual Incredible Impacts Programme. The initiative recognises international meetings that create meaningful, enduring legacies within their host destinations and global communities. Each year, the Incredible Impacts Programme distributes two financial grants – a…
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