David Adler is consistently one of the most eloquent and far-sighted commentators on how the business and professional events sector is changing, and the mega-trends most likely to shape that evolution. He’s also never afraid of a good controversy! GatheringPoint.news is the insider’s guide to the most powerful industry you don’t hear enough about…
Between April 2018 and March 2024, 91 grant-supported international events taking place in 18 cities across Britain generated over £60 million direct economic impact, £35 for every £1 invested. Positive societal impacts (on healthcare and scientific progress, trade development and inward investment, etc.) need to be added to this already impressive figure.
When international conferences take place in Sydney, their influence extends well beyond industry networking and economic return. Through a strategic partnership between BESydney and the NSW Department of Education, business events are being translated into real-world impact, inspiring students, equipping teachers, and preparing communities for the jobs of tomorrow. From Boardroom…
Atti Soenarso argues that behind every breakthrough in physiology or medicine, chemistry or physics, literature and peace, lies not just genius but conversation, debate and collaboration, often in the corridors of meeting venues: Every December, the Nobel Prize award ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, remind the world that brilliance rarely blooms in solitude…
This press release from The Hague & Partners is included under “Case Studies” because it is an excellent example of how to communicate the “below the waterline” impacts of international meetings (as opposed to focusing on direct delegate and organiser expenditure), and how these impacts align with a destination’s intellectual capital strengths and economic development…
Soolnua co-founder and events industry commentator Padraic Gilligan sounds a warning note on the optimism pervading many recent industry surveys and reports, especially regarding the underlying health of the US economy: At this stage, most of the usual trend and forecast reports for the business events industry have landed. Reading through them, you can’t help…
Dr Hayley Walker of IÉSEG presents an analytical argument with challenging perspective on the effectiveness of “mega-events”, especially those originally designed as government-to-government negotiation platforms, but which have attracted the involvement of big business and different communities of interest. As an industry, shouldn’t we be advocating more strongly for “impactful & effective meetings” not “bigger…
This excellent benchmarking project by City Nation Place offers a wealth of strategic yet practical advice on this critical issue, with perspectives from destination representatives and owners/organisers of a wide range of international events. Download the report to learn more and to understand how you can leverage events to deliver against your place brand ambitions.
Northstar Meeting Group’s flagship business events newsletter, with the option to sign up to lots of specialist feeds, including region-specific news, and the latest news of interest to association meeting professionals. Providing meeting planners and suppliers with comprehensive information and original content in the form of articles, magazines, podcasts, and videos.
Thoughts & Observations is a weekly newsletter by Kai Hattendorf. It shares updates, reflections, and analyses on the business events and exhibitions industry, covering topics ranging from market trends to industry practices and emerging developments. Each edition provides a concise summary of recent news, data, and professional insights relevant to event organizers and stakeholders.
David Adler critiques the self-promoting, excessive-growth industry that Business Events industry awards have morphed into, praises those who have stood up to say “count me out”, and highlights the attributes and achievements we should be recognising if we wish to promote our sector in a way that resonates with the outside world. From GatheringPoint.news…
Mark O. Schloesser, Senior Venue Consultant, Gaining Edge, calls for a more holistic approach to data management within major event venues. Reliable data across all key disciplines is essential for success, but depends on having a culture of accuracy, transparency and accountability – how many venues can honestly claim to have this throughout their organisations?
Business events across the U.S. are facing mounting cancellations and disruptions due to the ongoing federal shutdown that began on October 1. Government-linked conferences are hit hardest, with major gatherings being scaled back or scrapped entirely, forcing planners to re-evaluate travel, location and engagement strategies amid uncertainty. From Skift Meetings…
BCD Meetings & Events has released its What’s Trending 2026 guide. The report sets out what will shape meetings and events next year, with global findings and regional detail to help planners adjust programmes, budgets and formats in practical ways. The guide finds that meetings are now treated as strategic spend. From CMW…
There are plenty of thought-provoking insights and useful lessons for Business Events professionals from the parallel universe of music, culture and the creative economy, in this White Paper style report produced by specialist agency Sound Diplomacy.
International meetings have become the critical platform for increasing implementation and broadening understanding of the societal importance and key concepts behind Circular Economies and related business practices. As with any complex process, the fastest way to learn and generate new ideas is face-to-face, bringing together technical experts, policymakers and business leaders. From From CMW…
This excellent overview of the conference discussions and presentations by Boardroom’s Vicky Koffa highlights key concerns and opportunities facing organisers of medical meetings, and points the way towards the sector’s future evolution, where patients may have just as much of a voice as researchers and practitioners, and impact and outcomes are the most important metrics.
David Adler deconstructs the unique outcome-oriented elements that Young Presidents Organisation has incorporated in their Global Business Summit, with invaluable lessons for any organisers focused on how to maximise the deal-making and relationship-building elements of their own events. Read the GatheringPoint.News article here
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