Last year, the IBTM World Trends report found itself looking at new frontiers. How had the meetings and events landscape changed in the wake of the pandemic, what behaviours had been adopted, how were other industries looking at this same landscape? Also, how was the global economy dictating the future welfare of our own market…
After the pandemic, the way that associations and destinations are interacting has altered. Within this article various experts weigh in on the changing landscape, including MCI’s Nikki Walker and Destinations International’s Jane Cunningham (both organisations in fact Iceberg partners), and The Iceberg’s own Founder James Latham. From Association Meetings International…
Hopin has laid off 29 percent of employees, merely four months after the virtual events startup let another twelve percent of staff go. Once valued at $7.8 billion, Hopin is one of several online platforms that thrived over the pandemic but that has since seen a slowdown in its growth. From Conference News…
Event technology platform Bizzabo has laid off 120 employees, or thirty percent of its 400-strong workforce, reacting to what it called the “swift economic downturn”. Meanwhile, AI and transcription unicorn Verbit laid off sixty members of staff, about ten percent of total, following a period of rapid growth. From Association Meetings International…
ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) rankings just posted saw destination Vienna reclaim the top spot worldwide for the first time since 2012. The 2021 Iceberg partner survey attributed 92 congresses to Vienna, with Lisbon second (91) and Athens third (66). Barcelona and Singapore are next, then Madrid, Prague, Paris, Berlin and Brussels. From Meetings International…
On the back of a flash survey, Editor James Lancaster talks with Loren Edelstein, VP Content Director at Northstar Meetings Group, about how the US Supreme Court’s about turn on Roe v. Wade could inflence where international associations meet, and whether organisations should be being political about site selection. Photo: Ted Eytan. From Association Meetings International…
During the pandemic, uncertainty was a daily torment for association meeting planners. With the threat of lockdown ended in most countries, the market is approaching business pre-pandemic. But organisers are also caught between a labour and skills crisis plus rocketing inflation. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
Iceberg partner Copenhagen Legacy Lab has just improved its methodology for planners, deepening the strategic approach. One past event that approached CLL with a clear legacy vision was Electric City 2021, WindEurope’s flagship meeting held in collaboration with WindDenmark. This was staged during November 2021 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen. From Boardroom…
This report does its best to lean on both empirical evidence and highly credible opinion, that give a glimpse into both the immediate and long-term futures the industry faces. It looks at the past to predict the future, but also finds “grass root” trends that may grow to dominate how the sector goes about its…
A new research report published by Cities Restart called The Importance of International Conferences and Business Events to Restarting City Economies has revealed that spending on international conferences and business events for the UK is estimated to have been worth £19.4 billion in 2019, but following the interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by 2026 is forecast…
Last September, the “Incredible Impacts” programme run collaboratively by Iceberg partners ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance selected three winning associations for the meeting legacy projects they submitted. Each of the three had shown a dedication to creating legacies that went far beyond the conference walls. The three winners were: Ecocity Builders and the BCIT Ecocity…
Organisers hosting their meetings in Vienna through 2021 and 2022 will be covered by Austria’s government if there are COVID cancellations or restrictions. The protective umbrella has been welcomed by the Vienna Convention Bureau. Other markets either have similar schemes or else are campaigning for them. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Sven Bossu was named as Iceberg partner AIPC’s first CEO back in May. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director for Innovation at ESTRO (European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) after eight years at SWIFT’s SIBOS. Here he offers the same message of a retiring Flemish TV anchor… “everything will be fine”. From AIPC…
To prevent catastrophic warming, humanity must get its act together. More and more industry sectors are committing to carbon reduction, but what about the agencies, PCOs and commercial event producers? Fiona Pelham, the CEO of Iceberg partner Positive Impact Events, feels a voice at the table is crucial. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
As well as assessing the impact of COVID-19, this report includes a global economic analysis for 2020, a deep dive into global mega-trends (including security, sustainability, wellness, diversity and inclusion), an exploration of the virtual experience economy, an individual industry analysis, an examination of meetings and events performance by sector, and a regional analysis. IBTM…
The 2020 Global Forum of Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance has been held, mixing physical and digital elements to create a unique hybrid event for over 128 delegates around the world. The meeting saw the launching of BestCities Global Forum Madrid 2021, anticipated since its postponement this year. From Meetings International…
Convention bureau Dubai Business Events has won several large events: the International DIP Symposium on Diabetes, Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome and Pregnancy, the Omnilife Latin America Incentive, the World Independent Advertising Award Conference, and others. From Association Meetings International…
RAI Amsterdam is one of first venues in Europe to reopen without visitor number restrictions. The relaxation of further measures by the Dutch government on July 1st means the centre can again host major events. The RAI had already made its spaces COVID-secure and fully in line with health and safety guidelines. From Meetings International…
The Joint Meetings Industry Council, which presents The Iceberg, has released a manifesto that sets out arguments as to why business events can and should be utilised to drive economic recovery and renewal in the post-COVID-19 era. The document was assembled with the advice and input of a broad range of industry leaders. This was…
AIPC (the International Association of Convention Centres), an Iceberg partner, has appointed its first CEO. Prior to the move, Sven Bossu had previously been MD for Innovation at ESTRO (the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology). He is also known for a stretch at SWIFT, where he was responsible for SIBOS. From Boardroom…
As the COVID-19 crisis has persisted, so has came the slow realisation that its impact will linger a very long time indeed. What does this mean for the exhibition sector in the future? Reed Exhibition’s former Chairman and CEO Mike Rusbridge, and former Commercial Director Nick Forster, offer thoughts. From UFI…
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