Progressive policies and culture converge with mega-venue developments as Vietnam’s US$6 billion MICE sector is primed for growth. This pivotal growth phase is supported by economic stability, rising consumer spending and government efforts to liberalise the cultural and events industries, according to leaders speaking at the 2026 Exhibition, Event and Advertising Summit in Hanoi.
This article from the Centre for Events and Festivals analyses and summarises a new research report on long-term event impact from the University of Technology Sydney Business School, which shows governments are vastly underselling their investment in attracting conferences, justifying it purely with tourism data such as delegate hotel spend.
The 2026 edition of IMEX Frankfurt closed today, confirming its biggest show floor to date, combined with strong buyer and exhibitor numbers. The show (May 19-21) saw almost 3,000 exhibiting companies, from destinations and venues to tech providers and event agencies, all representing the breadth of a future-focused global industry.
Global conflict, policy change and socio-political instability are having a growing and measurable impact on the international meetings and conferences industry. The findings reveal a significant shift in the operating environment for international meetings. 73.84% of respondents said global conflicts have impacted their ability to plan or host international meetings, up from 53.92% in 2025.
The International Conference on Liquefied Natural Gas offered a critical platform to discuss the energy sector’s role in enhancing global security following Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, and address other issues such as eliminating energy poverty and tackling the climate crisis. The Canadian Gas Association staged a world-class event that highlighted Canada’s clean energy potential.
The International Social Innovation Research Conference brought together academics, researchers and practitioners from more than 30 countries to share and discuss the latest research and ideas on social innovation. The conference focused on themes such as social entrepreneurship, social impact and social innovation policy, and included workshops and doctoral sessions to support early-career scholars.
The International Metropolis Conference brought together 1,400+ participants from over 100 countries, making it one of the largest global gatherings focused on migration and integration. The purpose of the event was to reinforce Canada’s international leadership on migration governance, while simultaneously strengthening local research and civil society networks addressing immigration and settlement.
The UN Biodiversity Conference aimed to finalize and adopt a new post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which would guide international action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Canada’s role was to provide the political and logistical platform for multilateral negotiations. The conference exemplified the role of business events as platforms for transformative environmental policy.
The AquaCulture Canada and World Aquaculture Society North America event showcases how business events can deliver substantial value across multiple domains when it is strongly linked to sectoral development. The conference amplified visibility for the local industry and provided momentum for long-term positioning in ocean tech and sustainable seafood development.
The 24th International AIDS Conference represented a significant moment in the global HIV response, uniting researchers, policymakers, clinicians and people living with HIV. For the International AIDS Society, it was an opportunity to accelerate scientific evidence and global solidarity. For local stakeholders, it mobilized the pursuit of renewed advocacy and expanded service access.
Australian PCO owner Emma Bowyer argues that legacy measurement is woefully absent across most of Asia-Pacific Destination Marketing Organisations, and that it’s become the responsibility of event organisers to educate clients to include such metrics in the way they evaluate the impact of their meetings. A Robotics conference that will track 200 local high-school attendees…
Singapore is announcing major new long-term-focused infrastructure and investment initiatives on the back of continuing strong growth, whilst preparing for short-term challenges related to the Gulf conflict by expanding funding support for 2026 events. From M&C Asia…
PCMA’s President & CEO Sherrif Karamat argues that it is past time for the Business Events industry’s myriad associations to consolidate in order to deliver better value to all industry stakeholders on both the supplier side and amongst all categories of organiser. Failure to modernise and evolve will lead many organisations to be non-selected by…
This is the Edinburgh International Conference Centre’s (EIC) third annual Impact Report. This time, they decided to look at environmental, social and economic impacts together. The report doesn’t just track what happened inside the EICC, it reflects what events should do: create lasting value beyond the venue, the people who visit and the events themselves.
Whether extending trade from exhibition halls into production floors, or grounding conference insights in real-world settings, factory access is playing a bigger role in MICE programmes. In sectors such as electric vehicles, robotics, aerospace and precision engineering, access to factories is important in driving programme differentiation, providing privileged insights and cementing economic positioning. From M&C/ASIA…
The Exhibitions Industry Collective has partnered with CNTV to produce a new workforce development video series highlighting the diverse career opportunities in the exhibitions and events industry. The goal is to showcase the human side of the industry to inspire students and professionals to consider careers in exhibitions and events. From Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance…
The spike in the price of airline fuel has raised the stakes for international associations wondering where to hold their next annual congress. For organisations used to the familiar tread of rotation patterns and long-term planning cycles, the impact of higher airfares on budgets and congress attendance is another factor to throw into the mix.
The 19th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes took place in Barcelona in March, gathering 5,300+ participants, in-person and online. The conference showcased the latest innovations and connected endocrinologists, diabetes care providers, researchers and industry professionals from around the world to drive forward the future of diabetes treatment. From Kenes Group…
In a vote of confidence for the positive societal and economic impact of Business Events, C$15 million has been earmarked over the next three years to help attract events in strategically important sectors. Administered by Destination Canada, ICAF has helped secure 116 international conventions, generating C$803.3 million in direct economic impact and supporting 6,692 jobs.
As geopolitical instability continues, organisers are under growing pressure to respond quickly, communicate clearly and reassure clients when disruption strikes. Boardroom’s Vicky Koffa interviews Kenes Group CEO Ora Lahav on why crisis readiness should no longer be treated as an occasional capability, but needs to become part of an international event organiser’s everyday operating mindset.
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