In October three presentations by US Environmental Protection Agency scientists were pulled from a workshop in Rhode Island. The presenters had contributed to a report citing climate change as a threat. As fewer government scientists attend conferences and with uncertainty over international travel to the US, three experts weigh in. From PCMA Convene…
Bogotá, capital of Colombia, is one of the most dynamic cities in Latin America with 7.6 million inhabitants. Now at a crossroads as the nation leaves behind more than 50 years of internal conflict, attracting international events that have an impact is part of an overall strategy of change. From Boardroom, with the Bogotá Convention Bureau…
The International Play Association supports “every child’s right to play and to promote healthy, high-quality play opportunities and environments”. When the manager of recreation for the north and east region of the City of Calgary was approached to host its world conference, her boss said “I want to do something that’s meaningful”. From Boardroom…
The business events industry is changing faster than perhaps ever before. Each year we see new and exciting developments brought about by rapid evolution of technology, growing understanding of how business events can create value, and changing priorities and expectations of host organisations and their delegates. So what’s next? From Lyn Lewis-Smith via LinkedIn…
A former Dallas mayor is calling for the National Rifle Association to move its annual meeting out of the city. The 147th NRA convention is taking place in May at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. It is expected to draw 20,000 attendees and generate $42 million for the city. Photo: Michael Barera. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2018 has drawn event professionals and exhibitors from over twenty countries to connect, learn and be inspired in Melbourne. The event kicked off with a press conference from John Eren, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and a quirky welcome party showcasing Victoria’s festival culture. From CIM News Magazine…
The imminent sledgehammer of the EU’s General Data Protection Requirement (GDPR) has been in the air for some time now. But does the extent to which companies have been ignoring their soon-to-be regulatory responsibilities mean that we should in fact be calling it GDDPR: the General Denial of Data Protection Requirement? From Meetings & Conventions…
The Business Visits and Events Partnership has welcomed a decision to review the impact on the QEII Centre of a vote by the House of Lords to leave the Palace of Westminster during a six year renovation. Many Lords expressed concern over central London’s largest conference venue being temporarily chosen to host the upper chamber. From Meetpie.com…
Less than a year after the last Visit Florida budget battles, the fighting for funding is again underway. Governor Rick Scott (pictured) has called for a $100 million budget, while the House of Representatives wants to keep the current $76 million and the Senate wants to cut it to $50 million. From Meetings & Conventions…
MPs have not considered the loss of income to London of the QEII Centre being out of action for six years. That’s according to the chair of the Events Industry Board Nick de Bois. MPs have just voted for a refurbishment that could see the House of Lords occupy the venue from 2025. From Meepie.com…
New Tourism Minister Michael Ellis is keen to develop a positive agenda for the events industry, says Business Visits and Events Partnership Chair Michael Hirst. As discussed in the last “Westminster Bubbles”, the minister was appointed in the January reshuffle, replacing John Glen and resetting government dialogue with the industry. Photo: Chris McAndrew. From Meetpie.com…
The QEII Centre could be out of action for at least six years after MPs voted for Parliament to relocate during its £3.5 billion refurbishment. They voted by 236 to 220 to support works that could see the House of Lords relocated to the venue. The refit could take six years from 2025. From Meetpie.com…
Organisations that break EU General Data Protection Regulation, which soon comes into force, could face fines of up to €20 million. Competitors can report you, since non-compliance is unfair competition. The warning comes from David Chalmers, Senior Marketing Director of Cvent Europe. GDPR will discussed at a SITE event in London on February 7th. From Association Meetings International…
CTICC 2, the Cape Town International Convention Centre’s R900 million expansion, has officially opened for business. The new facility strengthens Cape Town’s goal of becoming one of the world’s top ten long-haul convention destinations. The city holds 71.4 percent of CTICC shares and invested R550 million in the project, which helped regenerate the inner city. From the Event…
The 19th century city landmark and event space Manchester Town Hall has closed as part of a £328m refurbishment. The “Our Town Hall” project will take until 2024 to complete. The iconic venue is Grade I listed, 140 years old, and according to a spokesperson for Manchester City Council, “showing its age”. From Meetpie.com…
Two past Opinions (“Westminster Bubbles”) have reported the UK meetings industry’s bridge-building with government. Now Prime Minister Theresa May’s January reshuffle has moved tourism minister John Glen (pictured) over to another post. So the industry will therefore have to start the conversation all over again with his successor. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Around 450 US Geological Survey researchers typically attend the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union. But ahead of the recent event the Interior Department said no more than 199 could travel to the meeting, and spending could not exceed $399,000. Only 178 attended and 30 abstracts were withdrawn by absent scientists. From Association Meetings International……
The IMEX Group has changed the name of its IMEX Politicians Forum to the IMEX Policy Forum, reflecting a shift in focus and participants. Policymakers and government influencers attend the influential meeting as well as politicians. The 2018 forum is during IMEX itself on May 15 at the InterContinental Frankfurt. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Incentive Federation has issued an update on the Congressional proposal to repeal part of the US tax code which gives firms exclusion for employee service and safety awards. The House of Representatives has now passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but the Senate bill does not have a corresponding provision. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Iceberg previously reported the Business of Events Senior Leadership Forum that recently brought the UK government and its meetings industry together (Opinions: “Westminster Bubbles: A Meeting of Minds”). Now Events Industry Board Chair Nick de Bois, himself a former MP, weighs in with his own view of the session. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
The head of security for the London 2012 Olympics, former MI5 Director General Lord Evans, has given the keynote at a Sydney Speaker Series lunch in London. The event was organised by both Business Events Sydney and ICC Sydney, and hosted by the High Commission of Australia. The Iceberg was also invited. If there was any doubt…
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