The Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville has reopened following its two-year, $207 million expansion. According to Louisville Tourism, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, 84 meeting groups have been booked since the project was announced. The new business will bring the city $246 million in estimated economic impact. From Meetings & Conventions…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Association governance has changed dramatically in recent years and a key focus is on business sustainability, both financial and reputational. The latter is often part of any conversation about legacy. Ben Hainsworth has worked in the past for a large European medical society. Today he is Executive Director of Berlin-based PCO K.I.T. Group. From PCMA…
The Mexican exhibition sector has certainly attracted major global players. But it’s still mostly smaller organisers or societies hosting regional or local events. UFI, the exhibition industry’s global association, has been talking to José Navarro, Chairman of its Latin American Chapter and General Director of E.J. Krause Tarsus de México. From UFI…
IMEX America has always been run with sustainability in mind. This time around, sustainability education will feature throughout, attendees are urged to bring a reusable water bottle to the show, and IMEX America will also continue to beat the drum about the positive impact of giving back to destination communities. From the Event…
Stellenbosch 360 has just hosted its second Business Tourism Indaba, at which The Iceberg was invited to attend and speak. As well as gathering meetings industry players from across South Africa and wider, the Indaba shone a spotlight on both the university town’s own sector offering as host, and the approach it takes to fostering…
Not too long ago, even people in the hotel industry referred to the meeting rooms in their hotels as boxes. But all of that has changed, and in a big hurry too. Today the expectations of meetings and the venues that host them are much higher. Planners are finding that venues which engage the senses…
Over 120 agencies and suppliers recently attended the 2018 M&IT Agency Challenge at Celtic Manor resort in Newport, Wales. From new faces to old friends, and even to having a good singsong around a piano, it’s always to be celebrated when so many eventprofs are together under one roof. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
52 percent of global event planners have seen budgets increase year on year, after 32 percent in 2017. That’s according to the latest Cvent Global Planner Sourcing Report. The study also found a big increase in planners organising six to ten offsite meetings, and a major drop in planners arranging just one or two. From Meetpie.com…
The Melbourne Convention Bureau has secured the 2018 Australian Business Award for the contribution it has made to Victoria. Using the 20th International AIDS Conference as an example, MCB highlighted how the event provided a platform for stakeholders in the field, and also left a legacy of policy and legislative change and increased awareness. From CIM News Magazine…
Key industry trends have just emerged from Meeting Professionals International’s Meetings Outlook 2018 Summer Edition. The report highlights today’s seller’s market, that contracts and negotiations are getting ever more complex, a growing demand for experiential components, and a shift of seeing virtual meetings as a tool to enhance not replace live events. From Meetings & Conventions…
Conference spending by the US federal government for fiscal year 2017 dropped by 15.7 percent, according to STR’s Market Insights team. That dip is the first decline since 2013. Three major federal agencies have also now stopped reporting conference spend, which since June 2017 has no longer been a requirement. From Meetings & Conventions…
Cvent has just released its annual lists of top meetings destinations. New this year are top destinations in Canada (Toronto leads), as well as in the Caribbean and Latin America (Cancún). In the US Orlando leads, in Europe London, in the Middle East and Africa Dubai, and in Asia Pacific Singapore. From Meetings & Conventions…
In the second half of 2018 Austria will again hold the rotating presidency of the European Council. Most ministerial conferences and meetings attended by Council functionaries will take place at the Austria Center Vienna. These events will be held in areas that are separated from the venue’s day-to-day conference activities. From Boardroom…
The Eventex All-Stars Top 20 Destinations for hosting Meetings and Events has been topped by the US, with the UK and the Netherlands tied in second place. The rankings are a weighting that takes into account the wins from each destination in the Global Event Industry Awards over the past two years. From Meetpie.com…
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