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…
By Pádraic Gilligan, Research & Consultancy, SITE and Co–founder, SoolNua: We’ve reached the midpoint of the year and one thing is clear: we’re no clearer as to what lies ahead for our world at large, the world of business, our industry, or our sector. Our innate resilience drives us onwards, but it’s one cautious step…
In this episode of The Meeting Room Podcast: Out of Office, industry leaders discuss sustainability, innovation, and tourism. Edward Koh of the Singapore Tourism Board highlights Singapore’s net-zero roadmap and sustainable MICE initiatives. Matthew Burgess previews the World Design Congress at London’s Barbican, showcasing sustainable event planning. Stephanie Tan Pure unveils Macau’s transformation with The…
From Thoughts & Observations on Business Events with Kai Hattendorf: Today is the 10th “Global Exhibitions Day”. It was launched in 2016 by UFI to bring together many actors across the trade show ecosystem that had been mulling a joint advocacy activity for a while. Now, every year, exhibition professionals in more than 100 countries…
Hugh Jones, CEO of RX Global and President of UFI, the Association of the Global Exhibitions Industry shares the organisation’s key advocacy messages in a video address to policymakers.
From Boldpush & Momentus: This exclusive report reveals how venue and event leaders across 50+ countries are reshaping the industry. We’ve uncovered the key trends, challenges, and opportunities that forward-thinking venues are focusing on today. From new technology and data use to better guest experiences and smarter operations, this research gives venue operators and event…
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