True to form, the BestCities Global Alliance continued to use its annual Forum to pursue association impact by gathering members of its association community for shared learning. The methodology for developing greater impact strategies came in the form of the 2nd edition of the ICCA Association Impact Masterclass following its inauguration by Founding Funders and…
Well, if you’ve travelled through a record-breaking extratropical cyclone to get to the BestCities global craic in Dublin, hosted by Convention Bureau chief Sam Johnston, why wouldn’t you?! The 2025 edition of the BestCities Global Forum in the Irish capital did indeed feature both pubs and the greatest of craics, amid which the Director at…
From Boardroom: Despite the challenges posed by modern travel in a climate-changing world (Hello Éowyn!), the BestCities Global Forum 2025, hosted by Dublin Convention Bureau, stood as a testament to resilience and innovation in the global events industry. Association executives from across the world gathered to explore themes of legacy, inclusivity, and technological transformation, proving…
Connect with global destination organisation and convention bureau leaders in a series of meaningful conversations designed to drive impactful outcomes. This exclusive invitation only event offers the chance to be part of pioneering discussions on sustainability, social inclusion, and the future of global tourism. Experience unparalleled insights from world-renowned speakers, including Greg Clark, CBE, FAcSS,…
As a gathering that champions the power of face-to-face interactions, this forum promises enriching workshops and sessions designed to both challenge and inspire attendees. Planners will benefit from unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers from diverse industries and explore innovative approaches to meeting design, sustainability, and impact. All whilst getting to know the 13 BestCities…
Held ahead of the BestCities Global Forum in Dublin, Ireland this new groundbreaking training programme, part of the ICCASkills certification programme. This initiative will add valuable enhanced capabilities to the skillsets of association professionals worldwide, enabling them to design, deliver, and measure the impacts of their activities. If you are interested in attending this event,…
ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, is pleased to announce that in partnership with the BestCities Global Alliance, that an Association Impact Masterclass will be held in Dublin from 26-28 January 2025. This Masterclass, part of ICCA’s portfolio of educational offerings, will focus on empowering association leaders by enhancing their capabilities in designing, delivering,…
Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading resource for destination organizations and convention bureaus, is excited to announce the inaugural DI Global Leaders Forum, set to convene in Dublin, Ireland, from February 11-13, 2025. This landmark event marks the first time DI will be hosting a global gathering outside of North America, signifying a new era…
Global Incentive Summit—Northstar’s global hosted-buyer event for the incentive travel industry—brings together the most highly-qualified incentive travel buyers with top incentive destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from around the world. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this…
Gathering professionals of Irish Associations, Non-Profits, Federations, Societies and NGOs, the Irish Association Forum (IAF) aims at establishing the national leading platform and knowledge sharing event for association executives and leadership, professional associations, non-profit organizations and charities in one of the most vibrant European destinations and in one of the fastest growing economies in Europe.
IMEX organisers heralded the eleventh edition of IMEX America “the big comeback we’ve all been waiting for” in regard to the events, meetings and incentive travel sector. The show was 45 percent larger than last year due to the easing of travel restrictions and also returning exhibitors taking more space. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Global convention sector consulting firm GainingEdge has launched its second annual report on leveraging the intellectual capital of convention destinations, based on an analysis of international association leadership. The research underpinning the Iceberg partner’s report identifies the relative strengths of 350 destinations via the presence of their local intellectual leaders in the governing bodies of international associations that…
Prague is better than any other city at engaging with its locally-based association leaders to secure big meetings and conventions, says a new report. The Czech Republic’s capital has a 95 percent “harnessing ratio”, according to the Leveraging Intellectual Capital second edition just compiled by Iceberg partner GainingEdge. From Association Meetings International…
The Iceberg ambassador Jane Cunningham (pictured centre with Lesley Williams and Nigel Brown promoting “Incredible Impacts” as “The Incredibles”) is leaving Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance after twelve years. The Iceberg will pay its own tribute elsewhere, but Jane has also given this interview to her own BestCities colleagues. From BestCities Global Alliance…
Kai Hattendorf is CEO of Iceberg partner UFI, global association of the exhibition industry. He has launched the UFI Global Policy Leadership Series, holding a series of high-level ministerial conversations to hear directly from government representatives about their economic plans and the role exhibitions play stimulating economies and societies. From UFI…
Delegates hoping to attend an association conference in Europe may be asked to produce a “COVID pass” as more governments impose restrictions on unvaccinated people meeting indoors. The rapid spread of the Delta variant has spooked leaders kickstarting their battered economies while protecting the gains made by the vaccines. From Association Meetings International…
BestCities Global Alliance has just celebrated twenty-one years since its founding. Managing Director Lesley Williams reflects upon the Iceberg partner’s past and future, and upon the role collaboration has played in the journey. She also pays tribute to the BestCities’ member destinations and to more recently formed alliances. From BestCities Global Alliance…
One year into the pandemic, meetings industry professionals gathered with leaders in business, government and the media to mark Global Meetings Industry Day 2021. This year the GMID theme is “Meet Safe”, recognising the industry’s top priority of operating meetings and events with health and safety at the forefront. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
A new report names London the “intellectual capital” of the world. The study ranks destinations by the number of international association board members living in them. But the UK capital could attract more meetings by better “harnessing” its potential conference ambassadors. The report is from Iceberg partner GainingEdge. From Association Meetings International…
Many of COVID-19’s implications, not least restrictions on travel and social distancing, cut to the heart of what incentive travel is and pose the question: will the pandemic in fact end incentive travel? It will not, and for now here are five avenues for the market to pursue. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
The meetings industry, very used to things “going viral”, is now dealing with a real virus crisis. One of this site’s favourite bloggers has distilled down five suggestions for survival. Stick with the facts. Postpone, don’t cancel. Make use of this “period of reflection”. Be kind. Remember, this too shall pass. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…
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