Destination Canada’s three-year Legacy & Impact Study highlights the long-term economic, social and environmental benefits of major events hosted in Canada. This case study examines the legacy of the One Young World (OYW) Summit, held in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke from September 18 to 21, 2024. Connecting emerging leaders from around the globe, the Summit catalyzed youth-led action…
The 14th Autism Europe Congress (AEC 2025) has been recognised for its societal impact, earning the 2025 Incredible Impacts Seed Grant Award from ICCA and BestCities. The Congress, held in Dublin in September, in partnership with AsIAm and Fáilte Ireland, focused on accessibility and meaningful inclusion for autistic people, with the programme and event design…
A report from The Business of Events & ICC Wales uncovers a major disconnect between how accessible venues believe they are and the reality faced by delegates. Based on feedback from 1,000 delegates and more than 100 venues, the research identifies widespread challenges such as inaccessible layouts, untrained staff, overstimulating environments, and limited accessible facilities.
On this recent Boardroom Association Podcast, Alex Filicevas, Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, and Charley Stoney, CEO of the European Association of Communication Agencies, put forward key steps associations of all sizes can take with relation to both Board best practices and conference diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) implementation.
Business Events Montreal argues that destinations and the business and professional events they host should unapologetically push back against censorship, DEI “cancellation,” and anti-science climate-change denialism. It says safe platforms for civilised disagreement are vital for progress and believes this stance strengthens Montreal’s appeal for international meetings, aligning business interests with a firm moral position.
From M&IT: In this latest episode of The Meeting Room, Neil Brownlee, head of Business Events Scotland and the first non-North American chair of US-based meetings association PCMA, gives us his take on Trump’s impact on the international meetings and events sector. He also provides a withering analysis of the main challenges facing those who…
As an event organizer, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) often means bringing groups of attendees, speakers, and suppliers together from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. But there is still work to be done when it comes to activating allies both internally and externally. This work includes planning events that enact diverse, equitable, and inclusive…
We designed this course to provide you and your team with the knowledge, skills, and know-how to transform your in-person and digital events so they are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for every body: Create a commonsense approach to event accessibility; Determine which accessibility protocols to include in venue & supplier RFPs, and identify criteria for…
From SoolNua, by Pádraic Gilligan: Over the past decade, the global business events industry has been marching—sometimes steadily, sometimes hesitantly—to a shifting rhythm. Initially, the beat was set by sustainability, and more recently, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities, with a particular emphasis on DEIAB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging). I say “hesitantly” because…
The Meeting Room Podcast, by Northstar: What’s next for DEI now Trump is back in the White House? Will 2025 be the year AI comes of age? Who’s getting a budget increase and who’s missing out? Join Holly Patrick and James Lancaster as they discuss what 2025 has in store for event professionals.
From Boardroom: Despite the challenges posed by modern travel in a climate-changing world (Hello Éowyn!), the BestCities Global Forum 2025, hosted by Dublin Convention Bureau, stood as a testament to resilience and innovation in the global events industry. Association executives from across the world gathered to explore themes of legacy, inclusivity, and technological transformation, proving…
As an event organizer, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) often means bringing groups of attendees, speakers, and suppliers together from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. But there is still work to be done when it comes to activating allies both internally and externally. This work includes planning events that enact diverse, equitable, and inclusive…
From Exhibit City News, by Danelle Dodds: There’s electricity in air. A palpable hum is buzzing through every corner of experiential exhibits and events. The energy is charged and crackling across boardrooms, ballrooms, and exhibit floors. It’s not just a felling; it’s a force, and it’s coming from women. More women than every are sitting…
We designed this course to provide you and your team with the knowledge, skills, and know-how to transform your in-person and digital events so they are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for every body. Create a commonsense approach to event accessibility; Determine which accessibility protocols to include in venue & supplier RFPs, and identify criteria for…
“DEI Reimagined” is a three-part series course that offers an in-depth approach to building sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within organizations. Part 1 is a live micro-session that challenges traditional DEI strategies and introduces innovative ways to create lasting inclusivity. Through interactive discussions, participants explore the limitations of current DEI models and examine how…
BestCities Global Alliance and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) are thrilled to award the 2024 Incredible Impacts Programme (IIP) Grant to European Academy Childhood Disability (EACD). The Incredible Impacts Programme uses a global platform to celebrate the “beyond tourism” value of meetings and advance their positive societal impact. Incredible Impacts offers two cash…
As an event organizer, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) often means bringing groups of attendees, speakers, and suppliers together from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. But there is still work to be done when it comes to activating allies both internally and externally. This work includes planning events that enact diverse, equitable, and inclusive…
From The Business of Events: Making workplaces more inclusive for women was the main focus of the WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) Conference held at IET London: Savoy Place, on Wednesday, 16 October 2024. Dr Laura Norton, Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Managing…
From Diversity Alliance: How much are you compromising your company’s growth by overlooking DE&I initiatives? Ignoring diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility initiatives can lead to significant setbacks in your workplace. The “Driving Success Through Diversity: Data Report 2024” is essential reading for the events industry. Produced by Diversity Alliance® and supported by CVENT and…
Powered by 
