From Northstar Meetings Group: Destinations International has released the findings of its 2025 DestinationNEXT Futures Study. The research, which is conducted every two years in partnership with MMGY NextFactor, focuses on top trends impacting the industry, as well as strategies for navigating current issues. The 2025 report includes insights from a global advisory council, five…
From M&C Asia: New Zealand’s Canterbury region, which includes the city of Christchurch, aims to attract new conference bid opportunities and bring major international space conferences and scientific events to the region, following the launch of the Waitaha Canterbury Aerospace Strategy. The Strategy is an initiative which aims to establish the Canterbury region of New…
The 2025 Destinations International DestinationNEXT arrives at a moment of profound transition for the global visitor economy. After a decade of disruption, reinvention, and recovery, destination organizations are entering a new era; one defined not only by shifting travel patterns and technologies, but by rising expectations from governments, communities, and travelers alike. This year’s study…
From Meeting Spotlight: IACC has released its 2025 “Meeting Room of the Future” report, marking the 10th edition of its annual industry trends study. Produced in partnership with Development Counsellors International (DCI), the report analyzes survey responses from 205 meeting planners across North America and Europe and identifies key shifts in event design, technology use…
From PCMA: Convening EMEA keynote speaker Noreena Hertz, a British economist and best-selling author with a proven track record for predicting trends that will shape the world, will share her insights on what’s next and why — and how to apply them to business events — in Rotterdam, Netherlands in October…
David Adler sets out a Convening Manifesto for the US business events sector whilst explaining the impact and mourning the recent drastic cuts to Brand USA’s budget. Top of the agenda: “Reframe events as national strategy – not tourism perks”! From Gathering Point News…
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…
Hattendorf argues that government support is vital for SME participation in international trade fairs, and is critical for many early-stage export-oriented companies’ success. We now have evidence of what happens when the government funding tap is turned off (in UK) and clear ROI data for schemes that have been consistently running for decades (in Germany).
From M&C Asia: Indonesia’s hospitality and MICE industries are facing a new crisis, as sweeping government budget cuts begin to bite. A recent survey by the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) reveals a looming wave of layoffs, with most businesses planning to reduce their workforce by 10–30%. Some 90% have…
This year’s VisitBrussels Night celebrated the academics, scientific and healthcare professionals, and business leaders whose bids brought important international events to Brussels. The event was a great opportunity to hear views on the strategic role of business events from industry thought-leaders. Over 150 ambassadors, 300,000 delegates and EUR 250 million in direct economic impact …
In this compilation of interviews carried out during PCMA APAC and The Meetings Show APAC in Singapore and IMEX in Frankfurt, industry leaders and top destination specialists discuss how disruptions to long-established global relationships are actually creating openings for many more destinations to use business events to achieve world-class status in their areas of expertise….
Held during the 2025 IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt, this high-level interview with urbanist, author and global advisor Prof Greg Clark CBE FAcSS provides essential geopolitical and socioeconomic context for understanding the future potential direction of Business Events and what destinations that wish to strengthen their competitive positioning need to do. “A multiplication of opportunity…
Dubai’s Business Events leaders share strategic insights into how our sector supports broader knowledge economy goals, with ideas that can be adopted by many other destinations worldwide. As Dubai works to transform itself into a continents-connecting knowledge economy powerhouse, business events are playing a critical role, especially during these times of global geopolitical disruption. Karina…
The second edition of this Asia-Pacific tradeshow at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore was a great success, thanks to healthy demand growth for business events across the region, and strong partnerships with Singapore Tourism Board and Marina Bay Sands, as well as with global and regional associations. David Blansfield, Executive VP & Group Publisher, Northstar:…
In a call to action for all Asian destinations to embrace “beyond-tourism” thinking in their approach to Business Events, PCMA’s Florence Chua summarises the opportunities and barriers to growth in the regional and international association market within Asia Pacific. Interviewed during this year’s PCMA APAC conference at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Chua highlighted the…
It was my pleasure to welcome Martin Sirk as the new Curator of The Iceberg and its regular newsletter, Business Events World, at IMEX in Frankfurt last month (pictured). In this, his first edition, you may already notice the uplift in quality! As a regular media commentator, event designer and facilitator, strategic advisor to destinations,…
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, has released its quarterly Global Events Barometer for 2025 Q1. The numbers reflect a slight dip in global business events from the end of 2024 but remain stronger than the same period last year. The report also acknowledges growing concern about the…
The link between CEO turnover and volume of corporate events demonstrates the critical role meetings play in companies’ strategic relationships both internally and with key stakeholders. From Skift Meetings: A wave of CEO turnover is creating new demand for in-person gatherings. From leadership summits to town halls, companies are convening under new leadership…
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