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Berlin: Building the Lasting Legacies of Falling Walls

In an age when some are once more trying to build walls, the remains of the one that divided Berlin stand testament to the historical impact of its demolition. Falling Walls, the International Conference on Future Breakthroughs in Science and Society, was founded to build on that moment and metaphor. From PCMA Convene…

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Convention Centres: Across the US, 16 Projects Underway

As the exhibition industry continues to grow, more US destinations are upgrading or expanding convention centres. Some projects are at the planning stage, like the Los Angeles Convention Center. Some are underway, like at the new Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Some are complete, like the Kentucky International Convention Center. Here’s a roundup. From TSNN…

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Peru: History, New Infrastructure and a Growing Economy

While the larger markets of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia will surely be the focus of the upcoming UFI Latin America Conference, the growing economy of Peru is also worthy of attention. Better known as a holiday destination and for Machu Picchu, a new convention center has been built in the capital city, Lima. From UFI…

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Productive Meetings: The Architecture of Good Foundations

What are the foundations of a productive meeting? It’s the question at the core of every planner’s job, and if you want to know about foundations, who better to ask than an architect? Caterina Alves is actually Venue Manager at the historic Royal Institute of British Architects. Photo: Philafrenzy. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Trade Associations: Change Drivers, and Good for the Career

Trade associations are a great way to drive change within an industry. Joining one can also have a positive effect on your career. Carlo Zoccali, Account Director at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, and also two term UK Chapter President of the International Live Events Association, says as much. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Sustainable Meetings: Single-Use Plastic is No Longer Fantastic

Is time now up for that global event staple, the plastic badge holder? From a registration specialist whose products are all recyclable, to an event caterer transitioning away from bottled mineral water, to a venue banning single-use plastic packaging from hotel and meeting suites, here are three approaches to more sustainable events. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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IBMATA’s Border Management and Technologies Summit

Border security seems to be of increasing importance in a more nationalistic political age. But sometimes the business of implementing border security involves collaborating across borders. Tony Smith, Chair of the International Border Management and Technologies Association, discusses IBMATA’s recent inaugural conference, and why collaboration is a main focus. From PCMA Convene…

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ICC Sydney: Supporting Students, Startups and First Nations Businesses

The Iceberg has already reported on ICC Sydney’s support of regional food production. But the venue is also fostering the next generation of talent via student and startup engagement. Through its First Australians Legacy Program, ICC Sydney promotes as well First Nations businesses, offering for its delegates authentic heritage experiences. From Boardroom…

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ASAE’s Groundbreaking Approach to Early-Bird Event Pricing

At its Annual Meeting in Chicago, Iceberg partner ASAE unveiled a groundbreaking, or possibly foolhardy, early-bird pricing experiment to attract association meeting professionals to a future event. Register in advance, and pay nothing now. After you attend the event in April, you pay only what you think it was worth. From PCMA Convene…

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Malaysia: Some New and Old Incentive Experiences

The Iceberg’s very own Phileas Fogg, Pádraic Gilligan, was recently asked to deliver a workshop about “how Malaysia can build & sell compelling incentive travel experiences”. He took advantage of his time there to explore some new, and also not so new, products and experiences for the global meetings sector. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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Outside Opinions: The Novelty of Being Away from the Office

What’s the best thing about travelling for business? In new research from ConferenceLeeds, almost half said it was “the novelty of being away from the office”. The results highlight how much we enjoy time away from our usual day-to-day routine, like time spent attending conferences and events in different cities. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Attracting Hydrogen Meetings to the Czech Republic

The 7th International Conference on Hydrogen Technologies took place in Prague in July 2017. Work to bring the conference to the Czech Republic capital started as early as 2009. Professor Dr. Ing. Karel Bouzek (above receiving an ambassador award) was the meeting’s local champion, and reflects how it developed after the bid was won. From Boardroom…

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Face-to-Face: Six Reasons Why it Still Offers Value

Changes in technology, and in its availability and cost, have greatly expanded possibilities for hosting events. So the debate between the advantages of traditional face-to-face meetings, against those of videoconferencing or livestreaming events, rages on. Here are six reasons why face-to-face still offers value for both delegates and organisers. From Maritz Global Events…

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Vienna: Can “Liveability” Attract Conferences?

Vienna is the world’s most “liveable” city. That’s according to the annual Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index. It’s also the first city in Europe to top the survey: Melbourne had lead for seven years previously. But what is the link between “liveability” and actually attracting conference delegates? From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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IMEX Policy Forum Report: Three Sector Challenges

A recent report from the IMEX Policy Forum 2018 (see Research) outlines three areas of concern raised during the event by Gloria Guevara Manzo, the World Tourism and Travel Council President and CEO (pictured at IMEX with Group Chairman Ray Bloom). Her three concerns were: security and safety, crisis preparation and sustainability. From PCMA Convene…

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Three Questions: Vancouver Convention Centre’s Claire Smith

Claire Smith is Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Vancouver Convention Centre, and also Chair of PCMA. Here she answers three questions: about how working with associations has changed for her over the years, about the kind of meetings her venue targets, and about the future of the association sector itself. From Boardroom…

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