Not all booth conversations are created equal. Some lead to qualified opportunities. Others are polite exchanges that go nowhere. We’ll break down the art of strategic conversation at industry events — how to ask the right questions, listen for the signals that matter, and capture intelligence that informs your bid strategy and destination positioning.
ICCA is strengthening its commitment to sustainability and advocacy with the appointment of Alexander Alles as Senior Director, Advocacy and Sustainability. Alles, who previously served as Executive Director of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, will join the ICCA team effective 1 April as part of ICCA’s ongoing efforts to advance these two core strategic pillars.
Ottawa Tourism and Invest Ottawa highlight their growing partnership to attract high-value international conferences and events, supported by the Think Ottawa program and Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund. With Ottawa’s strengths across aerospace, defence and security, cybersecurity and AI, the destination team is building a future pipeline of business events aligned with these sectors.
Step into the global hub of the events community. IBTM World is where connections spark ideas, collaborations fuel transformation, and the business events industry shapes what’s next. Three days in Barcelona to meet, share, learn — and move the world forward. Meet 2,500 destinations, hotels, event tech providers, and suppliers from 150+ countries…
The 65th ICCA Congress in Panama will be a powerful celebration of connection, innovation, and shared purpose. Join us to explore new perspectives, forge meaningful partnerships, and shape the future of business events in one of the world’s most vibrant destinations. This is our moment to learn, grow, and lead — together.
AIME has opened its 2026 edition, recording record growth in buyers and exhibitors and highlighting strong progress toward its long-term sustainability commitments under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative. Exhibitors from 36 countries and territories are attending, with more than 25,000 meetings scheduled to take place between buyers and exhibitors across the two-day tradeshow.
ICCA has announce the host destinations for its next two Congresses. The 66th Congress will take place 24–27 October 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda, followed by the 67th ICCA Congress, which will be held 12–15 November 2028 in Muscat, Oman. ICCA is committed to collaborating with different regions for this flagship event, which strengthens local business…
From Skift Meetings: ICE-related shootings and protests in Minnesota have triggered hotel closures, event cancellations, and attendance declines, forcing planners to weigh safety, attendee sentiment, and economic impact when deciding whether to proceed. The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on January 24 has intensified unrest in Minneapolis…
From M&C/Asia: In an era where medical conferences are indispensable platforms for collaboration, peer learning and the cross-pollination of ideas, the choice of host city has become a strategic decision rather than a logistical one. Recent landmark gatherings are demonstrating that Macao is no longer a peripheral option but a serious contender for medical congresses.
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Eva started her career in the travel industry working as a Manager/Director for Thomas Cook and American Express Business Travel. After 6 years abroad in Ghana and Malta as an expatriate and family time she started working for Messe Frankfurt visitor services in 2006. After different roles and accompanying various projects within the visitor service…
At ICCA Congress 2025, Conference Ambassador Professor William McLean presented the legacy story of the World Endodontic Congress (WEC) 2024, a finalist in the Incredible Impacts Programme 2025. Hosted by the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA) and British Endodontic Society (BES), WEC 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland, harnessed creative, engaging activities to boost oral health…
The ICCA Middle East Summit gathers leading regional and international stakeholders from the business events industry, featuring an agenda that includes panel discussions, case studies, workshops, and structured networking sessions. The event is expected to facilitate valuable networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative opportunities for destination marketing professionals, tourism boards, association executives, sustainability advocates, technology innovators…
ICCA will be present at IMEX in Frankfurt, the largest tradeshow in Europe for the meetings and event industry. With the Global Advocacy Alliance, ICCA aims to equip attendees with practical knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for the event sector’s interests, ultimately contributing to its growth and recognition.
In August 2024, Dublin became the global capital of geography. The 35th International Geographical Congress (IGC 2024) brought 2,654 delegates from 74 countries and five continents to Dublin City University (DCU) for a week-long celebration of research, collaboration, and connection under the theme “Celebrating a World of Difference.” The conference was supported by Fáilte Ireland,…
webEDGE provides information on a range of subjects that are pertinent to those working in the meetings industry. The Congress Project Management Course is designed to equip business events industry professionals with a 360-degree view of congress organisation. Learn new skills, stay up to date on industry trends, and advance your career.
What if a conference could alter the trajectory of a student’s life? Influence public policy? Spark a regional movement for women’s safety or accelerate the next major scientific breakthrough? These possibilities are no longer hypothetical, they are the foundation of BESydney’s Social Impact Strategy, a pioneering framework that redefines the role of business events…
David Adler argues that participation is the USP that has driven the value and impact of events from time immemorial, and that new technologies that fail to unlock meaningful participation will fail whilst those that widen and deepen interactivity will thrive. From GatheringPoint.news…
The impact and value of business events won’t be maximised by cutting and pasting past models. For the sector to enjoy long-term success, inspiration and innovation need to be drawn from every potential source. From M&C/Asia: Event designers wanting to leave an impression on attendees can learn a thing or two from creators across industries…
Vienna has a decades-long track-record of proactively harnessing its intellectual capital both to attract international meetings, and to ensure those meetings generate long-term legacies at both the local and global level. Here are some of the latest examples. From Boardroom…
Sissi Lignou shares her bold vision as President of IAPCO — a vision rooted in purpose, passion, and the power of a global community working together. From amplifying the voice of IAPCO Accredited PCOs and deepening member engagement, to championing advocacy, education, and collaboration, Sissi’s leadership is focused on shaping a stronger, more visible meetings…
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