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Panels Not Manels VII: Gina Glantz Talks More GenderAvenger

Gina Glantz is the co-founder of the advocacy campaign GenderAvenger, and the global lead champion of meetings booking panels and not manels. Already recently profiled in these pages, she has just filmed an interview for the video series PCMA Ascent Luminaries, which promotes diversity and inclusion in business events. From PCMA…

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Sustainable Meetings: Understanding Event Impact on Society

Sustainability continues to rise up the agenda across meetings and events, and two Iceberg partner specialists in this area have turned up in a series of video interviews on the subject filmed at IMEX America, Positive Impact’s Fiona Pelham and the Global Destination Sustainability Index’s Guy Bigwood. From Endless Events…

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Fake and Predatory: A Real Problem for the Meetings Industry

Fake and predatory events provide little or no substance, if they even take place at all, create confusion in the marketplace, and siphon off the very same audiences that legitimate events work so hard to attract and educate. They are becoming a real problem in the meetings industry. What can be done? From PCMA…

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Positive Impact’s UN SDG Campaign: The United Nations Update

During August, Iceberg partner Positive Impact conducted a survey of event industry commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over 7,000 pledges from 58 countries were received, like using only plant-based food to reduce carbon footprint. In a video from outside UN HQ in New York, CEO Fiona Pelham explains. From Positive Impact via YouTube…

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Panels Not Manels VI: Founder Gina Glantz Talks GenderAvenger

The first time Gina Glantz used social media to call out the lack of women on a conference panel, she was “rebuked”. This ultimately led to the foundation of the campaigning nonprofit GenderAvenger, and later a change in how meetings respond to the naming and shaming of sessions which only schedule “manels”. From PCMA…

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Working in Events: Four Key Issues to Address in Reducing Stress

We’re told that the events industry is one of the most stressful sectors in which to work. It doesn’t have to be. Will Glendinning, event producer, director, designer and adventurer, lays out four key issues behind most of the stress workers deal with on a daily basis. From editor’s blog at Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Positive Impact’s UN SDG Campaign: An IMEX America Update

Iceberg partner Positive Impact has been campaigning for the meetings industry to align its activity to the framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. An industry survey that was conducted during August is being submitted to the UN itself. In a further video recorded at IMEX America, CEO Fiona Pelham explains. From IMEX via YouTube…

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First All Plant-Catered Conference Hosted at The Vox in Birmingham

A recent conference hosted by Tropic Skincare at The Vox was the first fully plant-based event held at the Resorts World Birmingham venue. As a developer of freshly made, cruelty-free products, the cosmetics brand had wanted to reflect these values through its conference menu. Meals included an “indulgent” gala dinner. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Positive Impact’s UN SDG Commitment Survey: An Update

Through August, global meetings industry professionals were asked for comments and commitments about how the sector can support UN Sustainable Development Goals. Survey responses have now been analysed by Iceberg partner Positive Impact to form an “acceleration action” shared with the UN. CEO Fiona Pelham explains. From Positive Impact via YouTube…

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Technology that Mimics Human Interaction Set to Change Events

Technology that mimics human behaviour and helps delegates to interact with each other is set to change the face of events, it has been claimed. The Tech Watch Award winners will be announced during IBTM World in Barcelona this November, and the experts on its judging panel have been discussing emerging trends. From Association Meetings International…

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US Exhibitions Industry: Currently Evolving into Exhibitions 2.0

AMR International’s recently updated report, “The US Exhibitions Industry – Developments and Opportunities for Organizers”, points the way to the next generation of exhibitions. The white paper finds the US market still attractive, forecasting continuing compound annual growth rate of 3.5 percent through 2022. Of more concern is a decline in attendee numbers. From PCMA…

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Decolonizing Both the Animals and the Animal Studies Conference

New Zealand gave the AASA (Australasian Animal Studies Association) Conference 2019, “Decolonizing Animals”, an original spin when it hosted the event this July in Christchurch. Both local and international specialists, including indigenous perspectives, were all given a voice. Annie Potts, Director of the New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies, explains. From Boardroom…

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Meetings and Events: How to Plan and Build Immersive Experience

The event industry talks a lot about “experience” in meeting design, and that “experience” should always be “immersive”. But what does it mean in practice for planners? How should they build experience into meetings they run, and then how should that experience made immersive? From Maritz Global Events…

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Sea Change: A Marine Science Conference’s Plastic-Free Tip Sheet

Plastic pollution is a blight on the world’s oceans. After an almost plastic-free staging of its annual conference, the Australian Marine Sciences Association, and event management organisation Encanta, have created a tip sheet for other planners. They share what they did, what they didn’t, what was learned, and what challenges remain. From PCMA…

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2019’s Best in Show: Ten Fresh Approaches to Meeting Design

PCMA, the Professional Convention Management Association, has just published its annual “Best in Show” list. The ten stories include using art therapy at a haematology event, a heart rhythm meeting dropping registration fees for self-paying attendees from lower income countries, and a biomedical event letting students earn credit towards attendance costs by staffing the meeting. From PCMA…

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In the Bag: Is Switching from Plastic to Cotton Actually Sustainable?

Recently getting soaked leaving an exhibition during a downpour, The Iceberg’s curator has already had cause to note events no longer issuing plastic bags at registration, but now handing out cotton totes. But are these actually any kinder to the environment? UK and Danish studies think not. From editor’s blog at Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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