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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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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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Glasgow’s Culture of Events: Views from Across the Sectors

Glasgow will be welcoming 30,000 delegates, among them 200 world leaders, to discuss climate change at COP26 next year. The Glasgow Convention Bureau has also just reported best ever year-end results for conference business, attracting as well incentive and motivational events like KFC’s RGM Fest. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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The 33rd ECM Summer School: Learning the London Experience

London has just hosted the 33rd edition of the European Cities Marketing Summer School. This year’s event graduated 64 students from three continents, including four from the USA and Canada and five from South Africa. Brand new for 2019 was an innovative stronger connection between attendees and the host city. From European Cities Marketing…

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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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On the Border of Incentive Voyeurism: The Must-See DMZ

In issues 18, 33, 53 and 60 of The Iceberg’s fortnightly Business Events World, the importance of meetings has been discussed in terms of President Trump’s rapprochement with Kim Jong-un. Their summit venue, the Demilitarized Zone or DMZ, is also a fascinating outing for incentive delegates. From editor’s blog at Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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The Netherlands: Four Cities, Four Meetings, Four Ambassadors

Holland’s network of thought leaders plays a key role in attracting international association events and enhancing the country’s reputation as a knowledge hub. Here four key influential figures, instrumental in winning bids for Utrecht, The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, discuss the experience. The group includes Professor Peter Reiss (pictured at AIDS 2018). From Boardroom…

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Overtourism: Hosting the Crowd, Without Crowding the Host

When tourist visitors to a city greatly outnumber the resident population, it’s not hard to understand locals feeling crowded, some to the point of revolt. But is overtourism an issue for the meetings industry? What have selfie-stick wielding hordes that descend seasonally on top destinations have to do with business events? From PCMA…

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CVB Alliance Publishes Europe as a Meetings Destination Study

With the aim of analysing Europe’s potential as a meetings destination, a recent report, supported by nine members of the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe, has identified economic, socio-political, technological and other industry trends that are now affecting the European meetings community. From Meetings International…

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Shaun Vorster: Planning Dubai’s Expo 2020 and Shaping its Legacy

Shaun Vorster is Vice President of Business Integration and Activations at Dubai’s Expo 2020. Here he talks about that role, shares information on what to expect at the October 2020 launch, and discusses the place legacy holds in shaping both the programming of Expo 2020 and the afterlife of its venues. From the Event…

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ICCA Country and City Rankings: An African Chapter Perspective

The Africa Chapter of Iceberg partner the International Congress and Convention Association is small but active. ICCA’s annual statistics list how many association meetings are held in cities around the world. The Regional Director for Africa at ICCA, Esmaré Steinhöfel, explains what the latest rankings mean for the continent, and where growth opportunities lie. From the Event…

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Brexit and Advocacy to New Government: UK EIB’s Michael Hirst

As Boris Johnson was appointed new Prime Minister of the UK, Events Industry Board Chair Michael Hirst was speaking about Brexit and government involvement in the meetings and events industry. He also discussed how advocacy always has to start over again, engaging with new ministers after Cabinet reshuffle turnover. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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EURAM 2018: Managing Both Knowledge and Logistics in Reykjavik

With members in 49 countries, EURAM was founded to advance the academic discipline of management across Europe. Last year it held its conference at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. Around 2,000 papers were reviewed in advance, and over 1,700 delegates took part. The legacy was a stronger society. Photo: Háskóli Islands. From Association Meetings International…

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The Future of Meetings: In the Coming Decade Reality Will be Virtual

What will the meetings industry look like in 2029? New tech, spiralling travel costs, legislation about the environment and “flight guilt” will transform the sector. The industry will still thrive. The need to “meet” will not go away. But “meeting” will more often be through a screen. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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ECM Conference Talks Transformation for Sustainability

The international conference just staged in Ljubljana, Slovenia, by Iceberg partner European Cities Marketing included thoughts about destination sustainability from Nobel prize winner and climatologist Lučka Kajfež Bogataj. Another Iceberg partner participating, the Global Destination Sustainability Index, also released its third white paper. From European Cities Marketing…

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JMIC’s Legacy Report: Sharing Stories Gives Advocacy Weight

“Business Events Legacies”, the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s recent report, reveals “significant” failings in the way governments measure the true value delivered by conferences, congresses and trade shows. But further sharing of sector impact stories could give the report weight in the battle to convince the world of the industry’s worth. From UFI…

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