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The General Denial of Data Protection Requirement

The imminent sledgehammer of the EU’s General Data Protection Requirement (GDPR) has been in the air for some time now. But does the extent to which companies have been ignoring their soon-to-be regulatory responsibilities mean that we should in fact be calling it GDDPR: the General Denial of Data Protection Requirement? From Meetings & Conventions…

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“Crazy Idea”: Psychotherapy Congress’ Freudian Walk

Sometimes meeting and destination are truly a perfect fit. In 2023 the World Council for Psychotherapy’s World Congress returns to its inaugural venue, the Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna. With the city being the birthplace of Freud himself, the Vienna Convention Bureau suggested the “crazy idea” of a “Freudian walk”. Photo: Gugerell. From PCMA Convene…

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Creating a Local Legacy in Lampedusa

By involving local communities in your meetings you can create a concrete legacy for the host destination. Strategic results can be achieved for everyone. A good example of legacy creation is the SIAARTI Academy 2017, an innovative training event for members of the Italian Society for Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care. From Boardroom…

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Configuring Confident Confexes

Exhibitions at conferences, or confexes, provide a wealth of opportunities to improve the delegate experience. South African confexes are on a par with the rest of the world. They share similar trends in the increasing use of technology, in improving conference content, and in a greater focus on networking opportunities. From the Event…

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South Africa: Winning Incentive Strategies

Looking at the country through the eyes of an incentive travel planner reveals there are myriad ways to unpack and repackage the “South African experience”. Requests still come in for the traditional offerings like safaris and beach trips. But planners are all about looking at locations with a fresh eye. From the Event…

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“Shared Economies” at Meetings Africa 2018

Meetings Africa 2018 is about to open its doors, as the travel and tourism trade, plus local and international buyers and media, head for the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. This year’s theme is “shared economies”, meaning the importance of collaboration in destination marketing and boosting development in Africa through business meetings. From the Event…

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Dubai Reaches New Heights

As reported in News, Dubai’s meetings dominance continued in 2017. The emirate won 212 bids and proposals. Expo 2020 is also nearing. Dubai has always hosted spectacular familiarisation trips, and an Iceberg partner has just enjoyed one, during which the brand new Dubai Frame (pictured) was on the itinerary. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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World Parkinson Congress: A Patient Legacy

The Iceberg has previously reported how the World Parkinson Congress’ involvement of patients won it one of ICCA and BestCities Global Alliances “Incredible Impacts” awards. Here Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard, Executive Director of the World Parkinson Coalition, describes in further detail her organisation’s approach to creating a patient legacy in its host cities. From Boardroom…  

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Sherrif Karamat: Vision Through Disruption

The Professional Convention Management Association’s new President and CEO is Sherrif Karamat, previously the PCMA COO. In the first of a monthly column he’ll be writing as part of his new post, Sherrif contrasts the legacies of conferences and conventions with the current disruption faced by almost every sector. From PCMA Convene…

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Marriott Commission Cut: Independent Planners React

Marriott International is cutting to seven percent the standard ten percent commission paid to group intermediaries in the US and Canada. The move prompted fierce reaction from the industry, much collated above in News. But Iceberg partner Northstar has also filmed video interviews with organisers at its Independent Planner Education Conference. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Harassment: Beyond the Hashtag

After the Presidents Club Dinner, it was the charity sector that took the heat, while meetings and events whistled a tune and looked the other way. Coming research will show that the MI also has a problem. But perhaps the response needs to be proportionate and in context. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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Association Legacies: Three Opportunities and More

The word “legacy” is much used, especially in the context of what associations leave behind after their events in any destination. Beyond the idea of a “gift” or “bequest”, an act of love, charity and care, a recent article defines legacy in terms of community engagement, meeting content, and the transfer of skills. From Boardroom…

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Hurricane Maria and the Puerto Rico Convention Center

Only a few weeks ago the Puerto Rico Convention Center was still the main headquarters of the area’s emergency response effort after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The venue’s General Manager Jorge Perez looks back at how his facility was commandeered by both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and by local officials. From Successful Meetings…

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Westminster Bubbles: New Minister Keen to Engage, Says BVEP

New Tourism Minister Michael Ellis is keen to develop a positive agenda for the events industry, says Business Visits and Events Partnership Chair Michael Hirst. As discussed in the last “Westminster Bubbles”, the minister was appointed in the January reshuffle, replacing John Glen and resetting government dialogue with the industry. Photo: Chris McAndrew. From Meetpie.com…

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Meeting and Event Greening: Myths and Truths

It is quite likely you have already heard a lot about meeting and event greening, but how much of what you know is actually true? As with all new things, there can be confusion and misinformation. The Event Greening Forum unpacks some common myths about sector greening and sets the record straight. From the Event…

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Association Meetings: Rethinking the Model

Associations are increasingly reexamining traditional approaches to creating meeting and event programmes. Delegate numbers are broadly rising, but audiences continue to demand more engagement and specialist content. Organisations need to balance effective continual professional development with giving delegates content curated around their specialities: creating a legacy of knowledge across often global memberships. From Boardroom…

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