Geopolitics Have Created Uncertainty for Business & Cultural Events
What a difference a month makes.
While a record-busting IMEX America celebrated the appetite for in-person events never being greater, the world was suddenly turned upside down by events in the Middle East.
Signs of an increasingly unstable world as the US is called upon to provide cover for another region beyond Eastern Europe with concerns mounting ahead of US Presidential elections in 2024 that China may yet test America’s resolve in the South China Sea.
So excuse us if we don’t over-egg the business event successes on view in issue #109 of Business Events World from The Iceberg presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council.
Our thoughts and prayers rest with the innocent.
In News, events are cancelled or postponed across the Middle East while VisitBritain Business Events unleashes its ambassadors. In Features, all eyes are on the next generation of leaders as AIPC’s FutureShapers serve up a reminder that the convention venue sector is in fine hands with past students returning as faculty. What a legacy leadership program the Iceberg Ambassadors Samantha Glass and Kathleen Warden have created. And the International Union of Architects (UIA) maintain the youth engagement focus in its sector as the 28th edition of the World Congress delivers future strategies for alignment to the UNSDGs through the prism of its own youth engagement. ICC Sydney strengthens its commitment to social impact, Boardroom’s Remi Deve reports from Innovate Canada, ESAE reiterates the value of the Copenhagen Legacy Lab and Skift reveals MeetDenmark’s latest report with insights for event legacy success.
Elsewhere in Opinions, Jack Johnson, chief advocate at Destinations International, reminds us of the importance of destination promotion as a catalyst for community vitality and does so by sharing The Iceberg’s informal award for the ‘Infographic of the Year 2023’ by Maura Gast.
These and the world’s leading publications, newsletters, research, and resources await your delectation but, of course, nothing can take away from the spectre of despair as The Iceberg prepares to share its return venture into Lviv, Ukraine, for the Unbroken Emergency Summit. The seemingly forgotten war rages more vociferously than ever as winter approaches and Republicans seek to rein back U.S military aid.
The world is indeed changing.
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The second edition of the FutureShapers Educational Program which culminates in a presentation shoot-out at the AIPC Annual Conference once again astounded the membership of the world’s leading venue community. The Iceberg joined a buzzing crowd in Luxembourg to witness Team Equal battle it out with Team Visionary. In a double-bill, The Iceberg shares the…
Home to the UIA Congress 2023, Copenhagen has relished the title of World Capital of Architecture. But behind the spotlight was a determined group of women collaborating to ensure that the legacy of both the event and the profession burns brightly for generations to come. UIA worked with the Copenhagen Convention Bureau and other stakeholders…
From ICC Sydney: In a demonstration of its commitment to philanthropy and social impact, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has recognised its charity clients at its inaugural appreciation luncheon yesterday. The event follows a bumper year for ICC Sydney where charity and not for profit organisations declared at least A$7.1…
From Boardroom, by Remi Deve: Canada, through its business events branch Destination Canada, has consistently led the way in innovative strategic approaches to attract association conferences. The event ‘Innovate Canada’ exemplifies the organization’s commitment to fostering economic growth by attracting relevant international business events. Remarkably, this year’s second edition – held in Victoria, British Columbia,…
From ESAE: Hosting international congresses and events goes beyond economic benefits. It entails justifying the carbon footprint while capitalizing on opportunities for positive change. In 2019, our partner, the Copenhagen Convention Bureau, introduced the Copenhagen Legacy Lab — an initiative focused on developing methodology, tools, and processes for events. This strategic co-creation approach aims to…
From Boardroom: 2023 has seen record-breaking temperatures and the alarming increase of extreme weather events across our planet. Sustainability can no longer simply be considered as a nice-to-have option, but as an essential core value that should help drive the ethos of any sector of activity, including the business events industry. Furthermore, sustainability should be…
From Skift Meetings: Following six years of research, MeetDenmark has just released a new report with insights into the key ingredient for event legacy success: robust collaboration. Learn about the motivation behind this groundbreaking research, and discover some of the top findings that emerged. Event legacies have long been a trending topic in the industry,…
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VisitBritain Business Events convened many of its destination ambassadors at the Institute of Directors in Central London to celebrate the role they play in securing international events to Britain. And it became abundantly clear how intrinsic these professional leaders have become in advancing research and development, social and environmental impact, and job creation derived as…
From TSNN: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, kicked off its 90th UFI Global Congress today in Las Vegas — the first time for the global gathering to meet in the US — with a member vote during its annual General Assembly to approve the launch of a North America chapter. Exhibition Place…
From Boardroom: Inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability — these factors are no longer afterthoughts, they’re the driving criteria that determine where a conference is held. And for association planners looking for a streamlined way to ensure these aspects are met, they’re finding a 360-degree approach as host destinations and convention centres work hand-in-hand. Championing the motto “More…
From Conference & Meetings World: The virtual events bubble continues to deflate with India-based specialist Hubilo laying off yet more staff, according to social media sources. Most of the new round of redundancies are believed to be in sales and marketing roles outside of India. Company founder and CEO Vaibhav Jain (pictured) posted on LinkedIn:…
BestCities Global Alliance has announced the details of its highly-anticipated 2024 BestCities Global Forum, featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers and an engaging programme. This annual gathering, designed with meeting specialists in mind, has grown into a pivotal event in the business events industry, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry leaders and city representatives…
From VisitScotland: PCMA has announced the appointment of Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events at VisitScotland as its first non-North American Chair Elect for 2024. The announcement comes following the successful approval of the 2024 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate, which was presented to PCMA members on September 1, 2023. Directors and Trustees will…
From AMI Magazine: BestCities Global Alliance, in collaboration with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), has announced the finalists for the 2023 Incredible Impacts Program and the recipient of the Seed Fund Grant. The International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) won the US$5,000 Seed Grant for its ‘extraordinary commitment’ to advancing the impact of its association…
From The National: As the Israel-Gaza war continues, several events in the region and beyond have either been rescheduled or cancelled due to the escalating violence. From the MTV Europe Music Awards to a design event in Beirut, here is a round-up of some of the events that have been affected. The MTV Europe Music…
From Reuters: The Biden administration on Monday named 31 US regional technology hubs from 370 applicants, making the areas eligible for $500 million in federal funding to help spur innovation across a variety of sectors. President Joe Biden’s ‘industrial policy’ effort uses federal government dollars to fund prospective growth sectors from electric vehicle battery production…
From Conference & Meetings World: The 12th edition of IMEX America came to a close in Las Vegas, 19 October, marking the biggest show ever. Organisers say there were almost 15,000 confirmed participants on the show floor at Mandalay Bay, of which over 5,000 were buyers (including 4,000+ hosted buyers). The show confirmed the fast,…
Lviv has proven to the business events industry that even during war, events can evolve and thrive. One such example is IT Arena, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, showing resilience during the pandemic, then the war, and now emerging as a global showcase of how successful events are able to adapt and meet…
From Exhibition News: The Events Industry Alliance (EIA) launched a manifesto and three key ‘policy asks’ for the Government during a reception held at the Houses of Parliament yesterday. The manifesto details the EIA’s mission to ensure that the interests of business events in the UK are effectively represented, understood and communicated to MPs across…
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The conversation on sustainability has changed. Today’s leading organisations no longer see sustainability as a reporting or compliance issue, but as a critical business imperative in our interconnected world. More than ever before, longterm prosperity and success hinge on integrating sustainability into strategic planning and decision-making, as well as determining the synergies between financial performance…
From Boardroom: Singapore’s global influence is undeniable. Moving up a spot as the 7th most innovative nation in the world in the latest Global Innovation Index (GII) 2022, the city attracts associations aiming for meaningful impact and sustainability, fostering knowledge exchange, innovation, and positive community engagement. Home to an airport serving nearly 100 airlines and…
In 2022, Montréal Convention Centre hosted the 24th International AIDS Conference, organised by the International AIDS society, bringing together approximately 8,000 people, including scientists, clinicians, people living with HIV, community leaders and decision-makers, and other stakeholders from around the world. A further 1,000 attendees joined the event virtually. The main aims of the conference were…
The Southern Hemisphere’s very first WorldPride held in Sydney, Australia in March, over 17 days extending to 400 events proved an opportunity to galvanise the LGBTQIA+SB community in standing together in a powerful call for equality. The Theme: Gather. Dream. Amplify and Sydney delivered on every level as Robin Mack, Executive General Manager for Commercial…
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From M&IT Magazine: London is the top European destination for meetings and events, according to the American Express GBT Meetings & Events 2024 Global Forecast. The report forecasts that UK capital is likely to remain the most popular European destination for the foreseeable future, despite a predicted 9 per cent increase in hotel rates next…
From Northstar Meetings Group: In the October 2023 results from the Northstar / Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey, booking activity is up, and planners will likely be increasing their budgets next year to account for rising costs. Among the highlights of this new research: Planner booking activity is not only up after a late summer…
From Wonderful Copenhagen: MeetDenmark and the Danish Congress destinations are happy to share new learnings and insights based on six years of research and testing on international congresses held in Denmark. The new report focuses among other things on the intervention process, measuring impact and resourcing. With this third MeetDenmark legacy report we summarize the…
In 2023, the GDS-Index experienced significant growth. 42 new DMOs joined the GDS-Movement, sending out a clear message about the will to change. Linear and extractive business models are no longer sustainable or relevant in the tourism industry. Cities and destination management organisations participating in the GDS-Index advocate for a regenerative and inclusive transformation, emphasising…
From PCMA: Commonly used industry terms like “hybrid” and “plenary” aren’t resonating with event attendees, and some terminology even makes attendees cringe, according to a Freeman analysis. Meeting professionals who are looking to make their events more appealing to next-generation attendees might consider making a simple shift: Use words to describe your events that resonate…
From EIC: Today, the Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, released its quarterly Global Events Barometer for Q2 2023, which indicates a second consecutive quarter of an increase in hotel room nights and business event RFPs. As indicated in EIC’s 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study released…
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From the Meeting Professional: Natasha Richards, a longtime advocacy leader and director of impact and industry relations for the IMEX Group, admits that when it comes to sustainability and social responsibility, the events sector is often seen as more of a problem than a solution. “We really have an identity crisis—where do we fit in…
From Destinations International, by Jack Johnson: Back in January, I wrote a blog post titled “Essential, Absolutely Necessary, and Very Important, Part 1.” This is the promised sequel. In the first blog I referenced an article in Wired Magazine titled “Humans Walk Weird. Scientists May Finally Know Why.” which pointed out that humans have an…
From Skift Meetings: Jaimé Bennett leads PCMA’s ambitious growth strategy in Europe with her distinctive style of transparent and genuine leadership. She is dedicated to organizing impactful events that foster safe and inclusive environments, fearlessly addressing significant industry challenges such as talent and consolidation. Jaimé Bennett is the managing director of EMEA at PCMA and…
In this episode of The EXHIBITOR Now Podcast, Tommy Goodwin (Exhibition & Conferences Alliance) chats with Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director / CEO at UFI, about UFI’s advocacy work in the US and around the world, and Kai shares some insights into the upcoming Global Congress in Las Vegas in early November. Co-Hosts, Mark Johnson and…
From Boardroom, by Vicky Koffa: Conferences are conduits of knowledge and innovation when met with a solid ecosystem of academia and business. Sydney, with its dynamic fusion of talent, cutting-edge tech facilities, and stunning natural surroundings, has emerged as the ideal destination for hosting global tech and innovation-focused events. At the heart of Sydney’s tech…
From Boardoom / Associations Now: A glance at the headlines these days makes it clear—if it hadn’t been already—just how much we’re connected globally. Many associations that often think of themselves as concerned only with activities in the United States have had to contend with global conflicts and international supply-chain issues that affect their members’…
From Exhibit News Now: It’s a familiar story within the events industry: Like many trade show professionals, Lisa Hannant fell into the industry by chance, realized she loved it and never looked back. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, only that I didn’t want to go into the city and finance, which is…
From MPI, by Virginie de Visscher: More than ever before, environmental, social and economic sustainability is a top priority for leaders across a range of industries, especially when it comes to holding business events. Organizing an event is no small feat. It is a complex task that requires meticulous planning, coordination and execution. Adding sustainability…
Speaking from Luxembourg at the AIPC annual conference, the Iceberg Ambassador and Global Executive Vice President of MCI, Oscar Cerezales, picks up the thread of Skift editor Angela Doyle’s recent post titled ‘Consolidation on the Horizon for Meetings Industry Associations’ insisting that the alphabet soup of association interests needs recalibration. But it doesn’t stop there….
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In an era marked by exclusionary legislation and outrageous acts of violence, your commitment to creating safe, inclusive events has never been more critical. But, lately that’s getting harder and harder, isn’t it? The far-reaching consequences of mass social trauma, stemming from incidents like shootings, protests, and political injustice can cast a profound shadow on…
Join us for our newest PCMA ELI subscriber, and PCMA and CEMA member-exclusive benefit, Flash Fridays! Most event planners care deeply about the carbon footprint of our events, but oftentimes, with limited resources and budget, it can be difficult to figure out how to make a difference and where to start. The venue you select…
Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) Course | This course is designed for early and mid-level professionals, or young graduates wanting to gain hands-on knowledge about the industry and become a specialist in the field. No minimum experience required. This 5-day course take place at ICCA Head Office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We recommend learners studying…
Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) Course | This course is designed for higher-level executives to learn about new strategies and business models to elevate the level of the industry for meeting suppliers. This 5-day course take place at ICCA Head Office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We recommend learners studying 1 hour per chapter prior to…
Join us for a global conversation on impact and legacy as we celebrate and hear from our recent GDS-Movement & #MEET4IMPACT Impact Award finalists. This interactive session aims to foster a community of future impact and legacy practitioners. Hear from BESydney, Göteborg & Co, Fáilte Ireland and Meet in Ireland, Glasgow Convention Bureau, and Visit…
Join us for a global conversation on impact and legacy as we celebrate and hear from our recent GDS-Movement & #MEET4IMPACT Impact Award finalists. This interactive session aims to foster a community of future impact and legacy practitioners. Hear from BESydney, Göteborg & Co, Fáilte Ireland and Meet in Ireland, Glasgow Convention Bureau, and Visit…
Destinations International is committed to investing and preparing the leaders of tomorrow, developing future industry leaders that represent a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives. Investing in the future generation of destination experts, 30 individuals under the age of 30 are selected annually to gain valuable industry networking opportunities and increased thought leadership throughout the…
Our advocacy team has put together resources to help destinations pivot their stakeholder messaging to one centered around the organization’s true customer: the resident. Take a look at videos, case studies, lexicons and more information that will help you communicate the value of your organization to your entire community.
Become an authority on live stream and digital events; master the art of event measurement, from event conception to post-event debrief; crack the code on producing hybrid events that work for your organization’s needs, budget, and technology; solve complex business challenges with innovation-driven strategic solutions – study on-the-go and on your schedule with PCMA…
Currently, only a small number of destinations have clearly defined legacy and impact strategies and use outcome and impact indicators to monitor their non-financial performance. Go to the next level of performance: learn the latest social impact theories and approaches to enable you to develop a robust impact strategy and implement measurement processes to monitor…
Every Wednesday, Iceberg Ambassador Anna Look hosts a FREE Q&A session to motivate & inspire business event professionals. Boost your week, ready to slay your 2023 sales targets with Anna’s industry trends insights and advice on tackling your specific prospecting worries. Let Anna help you get unstuck with tips, tricks and motivation.
Discover how Singapore, as a premiere business event destination, can help you organize impactful conferences. In this special Knowledge Capital Boardroom MiniCourse, Carrie Kwik, Executive Director Europe, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, explains what makes Singapore so special when it comes to organizing high-quality association events that will have long-lasting legacies both for your organization…
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The Northstar Leadership Forum brings together the industry’s thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices. Our forum is unlike any other industry gathering: A unique, high-level experience where business relationships and friendships are forged. Hosted at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble…
Discover why thousands of business events professionals and community leaders from around the world come to Convening Leaders every year to explore, through leading-edge education, research, and networking, how business events generate economic and social legacies for businesses and communities.
The BestCities Global Alliance is gathering industry thought-leaders, international associations and partner destinations under one roof. Global Forum Melbourne will explore how in-person meetings are critical to cultivating meaningful connections and purpose for meeting planners, associations and delegates. You can look forward to workshops, presentations and hands-on experiences that demonstrate the importance of in-person learning…
(By invitation only) The Global CEO Summit, or the GCS as it is also known, is UFI’s most exclusive event. It serves as the exhibition industry’s annual curtain raiser event for the most senior executives worldwide. The GCS event offers top-level content, dialogues and excellent networking – all in a relaxed environment.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is where industry decision makers connect, create and do business. We bring together international and local buyers to access the best exhibitors from around the world.
Mark your calendars for the ICCA Meetings Africa Association Day on Monday, 26 February 2024, preceding Meetings Africa, taking place on Tuesday, 27 February and Wednesday, 28 February. Stay tuned for more details to come!
Are you ready for the 2024 UFI Asia-Pacific Conference? Over the years, UFI’s Asia-Pacific Conference has become one of the exhibition industry’s most important gatherings for learning and networking in the region. After successfully restarting this year, we are headed to Macau. The conference will be held on 7-8 March 2024. Pre register here…
Business Events Industry Week is a curated, multi-day experience focused on advancing the role of the global business events community in solving the economic and social transformational challenges of our audiences. The current environment has given us permission to experiment even more, as our members, customers and audiences are looking for new solutions to complex…
The Convention Sales & Services Summit is a cross-functional gathering of sales and services professionals dedicated to helping clients plan and execute successful meetings and events. Topics include the impacts of a shifting workforce, technological disruption, the new role of the sales and services team, overcoming destination concerns of safety, political climates and human rights,…
The Business of Events is where you will meet and join a like-minded community of relentless innovators and trailblazers who thrive on creating meaningful human connections and leverage events masterfully to drive business growth and social change. We will explore new thinking and research on changing consumer behaviours; delve into the art and science of…
Held annually, the UFI MEA Conference is the most important annual gathering of exhibition industry leaders in the region. It is attended by senior representatives from government entities, convention bureaus, tourism boards, venues, and event organisers, in addition to economists, media and industry experts, from across the world. The conference will feature panel sessions and…
The Meetings Show unveils a new and exciting event, taking place in a destination known for its corporate hospitality, Singapore, showcasing the best of Asia Pacific. With multiple award-winning innovative event spaces, Singapore is one of the leading destinations for MICE globally, and winners of Best MICE Destination (Asia) at the M&C Asia Stella Awards…
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Natalie O’Brien AM is Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where she is responsible for the strategic direction of the business. She also has oversight of planning and future management of the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC) opening in 2026. Natalie is a former CEO of Food + Wine Victoria,…
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Tommy Goodwin is Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), a newly-formed association dedicated to the recovery and advancement of the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA’s advocacy and member engagement work on behalf the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, show and event organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the…
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Gemmeke has over 15 years of experience in the meetings industry. She advises especially international associations on how to develop positive impact on the longer term with their conferences or events within Flanders (Northern Belgium) and Brussels together with the different stakeholders in the Quadruple Helix. Based in the capital of the European Union, Gemmeke…
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Sherrif Karamat, CAE, is President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA, the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Karamat leads the vision, mission and promise for PCMA’s global family of brands. He is a prominent business architect, enabling communities to become…
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Flavie de Bueil has more than 20 years’ experience in the Tourism and Meetings Industry. She began her career with diverse experiences in customer relations in the insurance and hospitality sectors and then decided to specialise in tourism, mixing her avid passion for international relations, people and cultures. Having graduated in Tourism Management and Culture…
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Matt is the CEO and co-founder of Talk2 Media & Events. Talk2 ME owns and runs a variety of trade and consumer exhibitions throughout Australia. Every year Talk2 ME works with some of Australia’s best brands as partners on exhibitions that attract almost 200,000 highly engaged visitors through their doors. Talk2 Media & Events was…
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A founding member of ICC Sydney’s leadership team, Sam developed the communications and marketing strategies that have resulted in establishing one of the business events industry’s strongest brands. Storytelling, building emotional connection and strong stakeholder engagement have been core to ICC Sydney’s successful brand development throughout its pre-opening, launch and operational phases. Sam steered the…
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Senthil Gopinath has over 20 years’ experience in the meetings, association and leisure industry. He has held a wide range of positions, including CEO of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, and Vice President of Kuoni. In 2006 Senthil moved to Dubai to work for Congress Solutions International, the Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) arm of Emirates Group….
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Amelia is a pioneer of BESarawak with over 21 years of branding, marketing and PR experience whose career in the sector began as a sales coordinator. Within 12 years, she helms the organisation as a CEO. Coming from the indigenous Bidayuh tribe of Sarawak, she is passionate about developing her homeland and providing opportunities for…
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Sven joined AIPC as CEO in May 2020. Together with the Board, the Members and the Business Partners he will be spearheading a transformation programme which will result into an entirely new value proposal to Convention and Exhibition Centres across the globe based on the changing needs of the members and the challenges they are…
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With more than 20 years’ experience in the meetings industry, Bettina has extensive knowledge on working with association congresses and in creating close collaboration between associations, academia, organisations, companies and government. AMCs in attracting international association congresses, meetings and exhibitions to Copenhagen. In her last 7 years as Deputy in the Convention department and Head…
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As Chief Advocacy Officer, Jack Johnson manages the overall public policy operations at Destinations International including member advocacy education and training, development of destination tools and best practices, coalition work with peer organizations, industry research and related public affairs activities. He also oversees the board governance, the Destination Management Accreditation Program (DMAP) and the DestinationNEXT…
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