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Associations Growing Global I: International Coach Federation

The Iceberg is publishing a series of interviews jointly produced by our partners Boardroom and the Global Association Hubs Partnership. The contributors are all addressing the increasing decentralisation and globalisation of large international associations. The series is starting with Magdalena Mook, Executive Director and CEO of ICF, the International Coach Federation. From Global Association Hubs Partnership…

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Sydney Speaker Series Luncheon 2018: An Iceberg Special Report

Politician, diplomat and educator Baroness Amos has given the keynote at a Sydney Speaker Series luncheon in London. The event was delivered in partnership between Business Events Sydney and ICC Sydney, and was hosted by the High Commission of Australia. The Iceberg itself was invited to attend, and was even able there to interview BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith….

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Meetings Need to Become Part of the Innovation Economy

Meetings need to become part of the innovation economy, according to the recent ICCA Congress in Dubai, and this “new industrial revolution” needs fresh thinking from suppliers. The discussion included city expert Greg Clark and Vienna’s Christian Mutschlechner, who joked that planners might soon 3D print their own venues. From editor’s blog at Meetings & Incentive Travel…

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Global Economic Significance of Business Events: Video

A new study has found that the business events industry boosts global gross domestic product by $1.5 trillion. Karen Kotowski, CEO of the Events Industry Council, which is behind the Global Economic Significance of Business Events report, discusses its findings with Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX, which was one of the partners in the research. From IMEX…

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Mike Cannon: The Sarawak Outsider Returns to AACB

Mike Cannon, former Executive Director of the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, was recently in Sydney to collect an AACB Hall of Fame plaque. During he visit he gave an interview on affordable events, Australia’s new Business Events Bid Fund, regional meetings, future challenges for convention bureaux, and their value to members. From CIM News Magazine…

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Incentive Travel and Higher Purpose: Not What or How, But Why?

The recent Incentive Travel Industry Index has detected changes in the sector’s rationale. While the top reasons remain sales, revenue and overall profitability, some “softer” objectives have climbed up the rankings and are impacting event design and desired outcomes. In particular, improving relationships between workers and management now holds second place. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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Transformative Tech and Mission Critical Meetings

Technology is transforming the way the world does business. Business events facilitate this as the place where tech startups gain exposure. But should the meetings industry also be preparing the world for the workplace transformation that technology will bring? Perhaps its role is mission critical to our future, says PCMA leader Sherrif Karamat. From PCMA…

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IMEX America 2018: Four Industry Trends Across the Show Floor

IMEX America has taken place in Las Vegas. A key focus for this year was corporate social responsibility and sustainability, including another Legacy Wall (pictured), and MPI’s call for planners to be “legacy creators”. Also topical: wellness and support for attendees, and sector collaboration, like IAEE, MPI and SITE’s Global MICE Collaborative. From BizBash…

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The Minneapolis Convention Center: Sustainability for Staff

In 2011 the Minneapolis Convention Center’s leaders talked to their staff about what mattered most to them. Sustainability turned out to be the top priority. The intervening years have seen recycling performance measurement, goal setting and signage improvements, resulting in the current 60 percent recycling rate. The venue is also reducing water usage. From PCMA…

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The Association Model: Not a Dead End After All, Says Research

The rise of the ‘individual’, modern consumerism, social media, open-source publishing: all have been cited as reasons why the traditional association model is doomed. It’s a viewpoint which does assume that associations are incapable of self-reform. And yet industry research keeps showing the number of international association meetings going up and up. From Association Meetings International…

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The Hague & Partners: Awarding North Sea Sustainability Legacies

It’s the job of a convention bureau to promote destination assets. In 2017 The Hague & Partners created an awards programme to highlight innovative local organisations and professionals. This year the scheme was expanded further to showcase sustainability initiatives leveraging The Hague’s location as the only Netherlands city on the sea. From PCMA Convene…

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Incentive Growth: Spending More Budget on More Attendees

Company spending on incentive programmes is growing with the evidence that they’re effective at driving productivity. But research from the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, an Iceberg partner, has found that while budgets have increased, average spending per attendee has remained the same for most. More employees are being invited on trips. From Skift…

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IMEX America 2018: A Last Day of Learning and Experience

Designed for an industry that never sleeps, IMEX America 2018 was brimming with opportunity and learning right down to its last moments. From hearing hosted buyer experiences and exhibitor perspectives, to education content like C2’s session on connecting with audiences and The Events Industry Council’s on cybersecurity, it was a packed final day. From the Event…

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Grimaldi Forum Monaco: Running Solely on Solar

In June The Iceberg covered the news that Grimaldi Forum Monaco is installing a rooftop photovoltaic power station, the largest in the principality. Now a familiarisation trip has showcased not just the venue’s spaces and architecture, but also its environmental policy and aspirations to run solely on solar. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Conferences Working Mothers Can Attend: Bring Your Own Baby

Along with bookings panels and not manels, gender inclusivity should also extend to working mothers attending business meetings and conferences. At In Good Company, an event for women entrepreneurs at Fort Mason in San Francisco, the sessions were emphatically BYOB: not “bring your own bottle” but “bring your own baby”. From Forbes…

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Middle East Meetings: New Trends and New Technology

Like many new markets, the Middle East and North Africa has its own dynamics with events, meetings, and conferences. The culture is all about personal relationships, so face-to-face is always important for business. Exhibition Director Middle East of IBTM Arabia, Danielle Curtis, shares insights on future trends and technology. From the Event…

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