Brussels is the preferred destination across Europe for association event organisers, and for the eighth year in a row, according to the Union of International Associations’ annual rankings. The capital has built up a network of over 2,250 registered associations, and 733 meetings of international associations were held across Brussels during 2018. From Association Meetings International…
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has just supported the hosting of the International Dragon Award Annual Congress at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. About 7,500 delegates are expected to have generated revenue of 640 million Baht ($20.7 million) during the four-day event, the largest-ever Chinese convention to be held in Thailand. From Meetings International…
A study by the Austrian Institute of Economic Research has analysed the economic impact of Congress Messe Innsbruck on both the region and its people. The venue generates around €360 million in gross value added. It secures around 5,800 jobs, delivers tax revenue of €120 million, and contributions to social welfare of €62 million. From Meetings International…
Event industry professionals across the globe are being asked for their comments and commitments on how the sector can support UN Sustainable Development Goals. Survey responses will be analysed by Iceberg partner Positive Impact, and those completed before 1st September 2019 will form an “acceleration action” shared with the UN. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Recently getting soaked leaving an exhibition during a downpour, The Iceberg’s curator has already had cause to note events no longer issuing plastic bags at registration, but now handing out cotton totes. But are these actually any kinder to the environment? UK and Danish studies think not. From editor’s blog at Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Capita Travel & Events and NYS experts in behavioural science have explained how uses of the field’s techniques can foster collaboration and improve delegate experiences. First discussed in June during The Meetings Show, the methodology can be used to influence many factors, including choice of the most cost-effective meeting locations. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Three big industry associations, all Iceberg partners, are dovetailing resources available to members: the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), together with the global association of the exhibition Industry (UFI). AIPC President (and UFI Board Member) Aloysius Arlando talks collaboration, standardisation and advocacy. From UFI…
The Africa Chapter of Iceberg partner the International Congress and Convention Association is small but active. ICCA’s annual statistics list how many association meetings are held in cities around the world. The Regional Director for Africa at ICCA, Esmaré Steinhöfel, explains what the latest rankings mean for the continent, and where growth opportunities lie. From the Event…
Edmonton Convention Centre (formerly the Shaw Conference Centre) in Alberta, Canada, is one of North America’s top performing convention centres. It hosts over half a million guests annually and generates more than $30 million in economic impact. The culinary offering is a big part of the venue’s appeal, and between Edmonton’s two convention centres (Edmonton Convention…
Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to evaluate the socio-economic impacts created by business events. Project learnings will be shared across BestCities’ networks within and outside the industry. Recommendations will be provided on how meetings legacy activities can be encouraged, developed, implemented and measured. From BestCities Global Alliance…
Over one hundred international conferences, expected to attract over 127,000 delegates, are to take place at CTICC, the Cape Town International Convention Centre, until 2026. The events will have significant impact on the Western Cape and South African economy. According to ICCA rankings, Cape Town is the leading meetings destination in Africa. From the Event…
The Quebec City Convention Centre has hailed an “outstanding” year in which it hosted 210 events, among them 71 conferences, and over 216,000 delegates. Quebec City Ambassadors, many of whom are research professors at Université Laval, helped land eleven of the eighteen international conferences held at the centre in 2018–2019. From Association Meetings International…
UK events budgets have defied the trend of total marketing budgets during the second quarter of 2019, showing solid growth and extending the climb of recent quarters. So says the Q2 2019 IPA Bellwether Report. The rise in events spend contrasts with flatlining marketing overall amid growing political and economic uncertainty. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Iceberg partner European Cities Marketing, in collaboration with TCI Research, has used analysis of over a million social media postings to study the reputation of destinations across Europe. The City Sentiment Index Report reveals the theme of MICE scoring highest intensity in London, and highest positivity in Oslo (pictured). From European Cities Marketing…
Brisbane is the latest city to join up with Iceberg partner the Global Destination Sustainability Index, becoming GDS-Index’s 50th signing. The Queensland capital is now part of a global sustainability movement, benchmarking the sustainability of both destinations and their events, and promoting adoption of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals. From HQ…
London has been named the top meetings destination in Europe for the fifth consecutive year. Cvent, the events and hospitality technology provider, has released its annual rankings. Eastern European cities are gaining momentum, with Prague moving back into the top ten. Istanbul has broken into the top twenty-five. From Association Meetings International…
Legitimate research meetings are now under threat from “predatory” conferences. These unscholarly events are organised for profit and publish anything sent their way for a fee. One even passed a nuclear physics paper written using iOS autocomplete. Could tracking the meetings as well as the research be the answer? From Paul Killoran via Boardroom…
Three major business event industry associations are pooling resources available to their members. AIPC (the International Association of Convention Centres), ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Association) and UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) have together formed The Global Alliance. From UFI…
The findings of “The Science of Healthcare Congresses” (see Research), Ashfield Meetings & Events’ new study of over 200 healthcare professionals, was a focus of discussion at the 36th Pharma Fortbildungs-Forum in Cologne. Its results were presented by Ashfield’s Client Relationship Director Fabienne Wild. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The Iceberg has always been dedicated to identifying and celebrating the greater mass of hard-to-see business events legacies lying hidden under the all-too-visible tip of travel and hospitality spending. So now it’s time to examine what lies beneath in a bracing new way. It’s time to take a deep breath and plunge “Below the Waterline”. In…
Launched in February, the #MEET4IMPACT Project is creating a framework to support and measure association meetings’ social impacts. In this third instalment of our Features series, founder Geneviève Leclerc explores the key steps needed to achieve successful impact. Global nonprofit NewCities is the example. From Boardroom…
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