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Medical Conferences: A Healthy Future?

Artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, wearables, telemedicine: the convergence of healthcare and technology is reaching an inflection point at a time when other pressures are putting the squeeze on medical meetings. How can they stay relevant if the entire structure of healthcare is about to fundamentally change? From PCMA Convene…  

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Keeping Events Safe and Secure: Ten Tips

In an age of terror attacks, natural disasters and political dissent, event safety and security is at the forefront of every planner’s thinking. But how do you deliver for delegates an environment that is as risk-free as possible? Here are ten tips to keep your meetings safe and secure. From Event Marketer magazine…

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Ernst & Young: Handling a “Logistical Challenge”

Event organisers ignore contingency planning at their peril. In March 2017 Ernst & Young’s Future Finance Leaders Spring Seminar had to cope with the ultimate nightmare: postponement at less than 24 hours’ notice after the terror attack on Westminster Bridge in London. The team’s handling of the logistics went on to win an award. From PCMA Convene…

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Convention Centres: The Gateway to What Lies Beyond

Today convention centres have to take a broader approach to the meetings sector, offering organisers a gateway to the cities and regions in which they are located. Some are effectively convention bureaux in their own right. Just how the role of major venues is changing is revealed across the thriving Australian scene. From CIM News Magazine…

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2017’s Business Event Lessons

From politics, security and safety to the dipping of congress statistics and how learning and education is at the forefront of growth, South African thought leaders, association heads and professionals share thoughts and predictions on where the local business events industry is heading. What lessons has 2017 taught, and what will 2018 bring? From the Event…

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Deborah Sexton: Thoughts on Leaving PCMA

Having just announced her imminent departure as leader of the Professional Convention Management Association, Deborah Sexton has offered further thoughts on her time at PCMA, and also the reasons and timing of her exit. Her last major event in the post will be Convening Leaders 2018 in Nashville, and a Guinness World Record attempt. From PCMA…

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The Unanswered Questions on Social Media

Pádraic Gilligan of Iceberg partner SoolNua is a expert in social media and its usage across the meetings industry. He often presents on the subject and did so with colleague Aoife McCrum at the recent IBTM World in Barcelona. He continues the session here with the audience’s Sli.do feedback. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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The 2016 RNC and the Real ROI of F2F

The Trump effect on the US’s standing as a destination is much discussed. But what about the actual meeting that helped elect him: the 2016 Republican National Convention? The RNC and its economic impact are at the centre of some thoughts about the real return on investment of face-to-face. From PCMA Convene…

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Paris: 2024 and Olympic Competition

Paris is riding high both on its new convention centre and on hosting the 2024 Olympics. But when one huge event is in town at a major destination, does that cause other large meetings to, erm… bottle out? There’s evidence this is the case, but good reasons why it shouldn’t be. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Meetings & Events

The nature of venues and of how organisers use them is changing. If coffee shops are now suitable spaces, why not cinemas? The refurbished Stella in South Dublin – an Art Deco time capsule – is visited in this article, with some Bold ideas for small meetings featured as well. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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Communicating with Delegates in a Crisis

Over the past few months, the need to prepare for unexpected eventualities has become increasingly important. Ken Kelling, MPRCA, Associate Director at meetings and events PR firm Davies Tanner, and a featured speaker at PCMA’s recent Knowledge Exchange in London, offers some essential tips for crafting the right message when a crisis unfolds. From PCMA…

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Risk: Approaches to Best Practice

As business event planners react to the changing outside factors that can disrupt their meetings, so also industry associations, including some partners of The Iceberg, are themselves considering how to educate and define best practice in risk management for their memberships. The call is being made for a collaborative approach. From Skift…

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Big Impact, Low Budget

Wowing your audience without spending too much is hard. Here’s a guide to doing just that, by using the latest technology, giving away goodies, keeping your agenda energetic but focused, choosing a great venue… and also a destination people want to visit. From Simon Lockwood, creative director at The Brewery in London, and Successful Meetings…

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Pacific World Forecasts Industry Trends of 2018

Despite new technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence, meetings and incentive professionals should expect next year to be all about “engagement”. That’s according to Pacific World, which has published a list of trends to watch for in 2018. Four in particular will drive engagement: localization, cultural immersion, community impact, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. From Successful Meetings…

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Balancing ACT: Marriott and the Value of Values

Marriott has recently taken flak for hosting a convention of ACT America, which calls itself a ‘grassroots national security organisation’ but which has also been dubbed America’s ‘largest anti-Muslim hate group’. Marriott lists diversity and inclusion among its core values. ACT America has its own anti-violence, anti-discrimination policy. From the editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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A Warning “Or Everyon”: Theresa May and THAT Speech

It was a speech the embattled UK Prime Minister was hoping would go rather better than it did. First, a prankster breached security to hand Theresa May a fake P45 (a UK termination of employment form). Then she lost her voice. Even the set designer received an unexpected “F” (and later “E”). From CIM News Magazine…

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