From M&C/Asia: In an era where medical conferences are indispensable platforms for collaboration, peer learning and the cross-pollination of ideas, the choice of host city has become a strategic decision rather than a logistical one. Recent landmark gatherings are demonstrating that Macao is no longer a peripheral option but a serious contender for medical congresses.
When attention is scarce and expectations are high, it’s design that helps organisations, brands and events stand out, argues Carina Bauer. The World Economic Forum predicts that creative thinking and curiosity will be among the most in-demand skills by 2030. IMEX invites the events industry to embrace design as our business superpower.
The Iceberg Partner & Ambassador, Matt Pearce, extends a sunshine-filled welcome to join the party for the 2026 edition of the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) from 9-11th February supported by the full suite of industry associations including AIPC ICCA – International Congress and Convention Association IAPCO PCMA UFI, The Global Association of…
Meeting design guru Mike van der Vijver calls for the adoption of organisational and evaluation frameworks that highlight the good that meetings deliver (for delegates, event owners, host destinations and society at large), rather than those designed to simply minimise the negative carbon impact of holding the event. From AMI…
This report from IMEX explores how design matters not only at events, but across adjacent fields where human experience, brand perception and long-term impact are at stake. Drawing on research, industry insight and real-world examples, it examines how intentional design strengthens and seeds relationships, builds brand power and reinforces long-term commercial resilience.
In December 2024, Skift Meetings published its annual Skift Meetings Megatrends 2025 report, outlining the forces expected to shape business events in the year ahead. One year later, the results are mixed. Several trends materialized decisively. Others showed early promise but stalled amid operational, financial, or regulatory realities. Here’s how each prediction played out…
The Knowledge Program, taking place on 9 February, is built around the theme, Expertise Matters!, highlighting the credibility, clarity and strategic influence that business events professionals bring to a rapidly changing global landscape, featuring high-impact keynote presentations and an extensive series of breakout sessions designed to sharpen skills, elevate strategic thinking and strengthen industry capability.
From Meetings International: A major boost for Kenya’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, President William Ruto on 15 December 2025 approved the operationalisation of the National Convention Bureau during a Cabinet meeting at State House – marking its re-establishment after being disbanded three years ago due to funding constraints.
It’s often the case that business event calendars tend to hit a lull towards the end of the year as employees enter the holiday season. However, APAC’s business event suppliers are noticing a growing shift away from this trend, fuelled by rising demand for more meaningful experiences, and strategic drives to navigate uncertainty…
Skift’s latest report highlights persistent uncertainty, talent gaps, condensed timeframes and rising costs, along with the impact of AI, political polarisation and the increasing prevalence of “micro events”. Lots of strategic issues are covered in this thought-provoking report, with clear insights on how to deal with the forces defining the year ahead.
Better understand the business of travel through Skift’s wide range of daily and weekly newsletters. From daily travel news to a deep dive into the events industry, you can tailor your subscription to the information relevant to you. Weekly briefings cover topics such as how AI and tech are changing travel…
The German Convention Bureau is looking to recruit 40 “research fellows” to participate in the first study in a series of research projects exploring the future evolution of business events, and is especially interested to hear from international meeting owners and organisers. Deadline for sign up is 28 February 2026. More details here…
The latest survey results show that unanticipated government actions are the biggest threat to meetings. Planner sentiment is trending downward again: Forty-four percent of planners are less optimistic than they were six months ago. Compression has eased and RFP responses have improved, though planner concerns over costs and contract terms have increased.
A unique collaboration between academia, event impact expert practitioners #MEET4IMPACT, AI events company Gevme and leading meetings destinations aims to help meeting owners and destinations to create unique impact reports on these events, making it relatively simple to plug a wide variety of large data sets into standardised reporting frameworks, for example “Theory of Change”…
This event format presents a rare opportunity to have exclusive access to association executives and many touch points during the event that allow forming strong relationships not only on a professional but also on a personal level – so important in today’s world. Not knowing each other at the beginning but being almost friends after…
The Trends Report examines key forces shaping the global business events industry, drawing on data from 140+ sources. It reveals a high level of industry confidence, fuelled by factors such as events’ role as a powerful counterbalance to the digital world, deeper integration of analytics and ROI, and a focus on strategic thinking and innovation.
The elite event for North American meeting and incentive travel buyers who are focused on placing programs around the world. Attendees will learn from industry experts, make invaluable business connections, and experience unforgettable activities at New York City’s iconic landmarks. This unique event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands – Successful Meetings, Meetings…
For perspectives from around the world on destination competitiveness in the business and professional events space, check out the regular thought-pieces from the GainingEdge experts, exploring trends, developments and insights in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and destination-marketing industries, and strategic topics for DMOs, CVBs associations, exhibition & conference venues, and their advisors.
Powered by 
