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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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Giving Back During Thanksgiving

The holiday season is a time we should all be thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves. So what better story now to tell than the charitable legacies offered by several major US convention centres during Thanksgiving… the last time that turkey was on the menu? Go and do likewise. From PCMA…

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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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Paris: New Venue, New Knowledge

The opening of the new Paris Convention Centre, the largest venue of its kind in Europe, has shone a spotlight on the French capital’s offering for large meetings. The Viparis launch event showcased not just the centre itself, but also some of the wider knowledge economy Paris can bring to the table. From Boardroom…

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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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A Celebration of Meetings Industry Marketing Trophies

It’s awards time again, and the marketing category of any major ceremony is always hotly contested, as for example at the recent ICCA Congress in Prague (News: “FMCCA Wins Best Marketing Award”). One Iceberg partner, SoolNua, boasts not only the Chairman of Judges of that ceremony, but also a nomination in another. From SoolNua’s Pádraic Gilligan at Padraicino…

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A Prescription for European Medical Congresses

Recent years have seen the growth of regulation from European governments, and also from the sector itself in terms of interactions between the pharmaceutical / medical-device industries and healthcare professionals. So where to now for medical associations, their meetings and their revenue streams? By Caroline Mackenzie, Global Association Partners, on behalf of IAPCO, via Boardroom…

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Westminster Bubbles: A Voice at the Table

The Iceberg previously reported the Business of Events Senior Leadership Forum that recently brought the UK government and its meetings industry together (Opinions: “Westminster Bubbles: A Meeting of Minds”). Now Events Industry Board Chair Nick de Bois, himself a former MP, weighs in with his own view of the session. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Business Event Security: Lord Evans’ Sydney Keynote

The head of security for the London 2012 Olympics, former MI5 Director General Lord Evans, has given the keynote at a Sydney Speaker Series lunch in London. The event was organised by both Business Events Sydney and ICC Sydney, and hosted by the High Commission of Australia. The Iceberg was also invited. If there was any doubt…

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How Face-to-Face and Virtual Should Meet

Hybrid meetings can be very different experiences for different delegates. Face-to-face attendees discuss topics in session rooms, virtual ones online via chat forums. The two can remain very separate. But at a recent meeting, the American Academy of Ophthalmology debuted a new virtual-meeting ambassador program to create stronger interaction between the different worlds. From PCMA Convene…

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Westminster Bubbles: A Meeting of Minds

At a reception near Parliament ahead of the Business of Events Leadership Forum, UK tourism minister John Glen promised to help the meetings industry work directly with government to win business. And Michael Hirst, chair of the Business Visits and Events Partnership, thinks the sector’s standing with government has never been greater. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…

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Spanish Eyes: Bringing Home the Bacon

All good destination management companies have a tale or three about how far they have gone in serving their clients’ very specific needs. From Girona to Madrid, here’s an eye-watering tale of a DMC willing to go the extra mile to bring home the bacon. Warning: not for the squeamish! From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…

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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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