As reported in News, Dubai’s meetings dominance continued in 2017. The emirate won 212 bids and proposals. Expo 2020 is also nearing. Dubai has always hosted spectacular familiarisation trips, and an Iceberg partner has just enjoyed one, during which the brand new Dubai Frame (pictured) was on the itinerary. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Increasing regulation, rising business optimism, and a growing appetite for wellness: these are some of the things shaping incentive travel, reward and recognition programmes in 2018. So says the Incentive Research Foundation, which has published its annual study highlighting the top incentive trends that will affect organizations in the year ahead. From Meetings & Conventions…
Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo 2018 in Melbourne is set to inspire event professionals with a range of never before seen interactive features. A system blending human connection and technology via touchscreen video platform will welcome delegates on arrival. The automated Selfiebot will interact with them and roam around taking photographs. From CIM News Magazine…
The 12th edition of IBTM Arabia, which has taken place in Abu Dhabi, has been hailed a success with 2,700 business meetings held between the elite group of event planners and exhibitors. Delegates also attended networking events and education sessions. Several changes were made this year, including enhancements to the hosted buyer programme. From Meetpie.com…
Despite not quite breaking a human guitar world record, the flagship event of the Professional Convention Management Association, Convening Leaders, attracted a record 4,457 delegates last month, up seven percent on 2017. The Nashville meeting also attracted 1,604 attendees who followed proceedings online and 109 in the Asia Pacific who watched on catch-up. From Association Meetings International…
One of the world’s leading independent events organisers, London based Clarion Events, has completed a merger with exhibition and online B2B marketplace operator Global Sources, based in Hong Kong. Both are owned by investment firm Blackstone, which will control the combined group. The merger creates one of the world’s largest privately-owned exhibition businesses. From CIM News Magazine…
The Professional Convention Management Association’s new President and CEO is Sherrif Karamat, previously the PCMA COO. In the first of a monthly column he’ll be writing as part of his new post, Sherrif contrasts the legacies of conferences and conventions with the current disruption faced by almost every sector. From PCMA Convene…
Marriott International is cutting to seven percent the standard ten percent commission paid to group intermediaries in the US and Canada. The move prompted fierce reaction from the industry, much collated above in News. But Iceberg partner Northstar has also filmed video interviews with organisers at its Independent Planner Education Conference. From Meetings & Conventions…
It is quite likely you have already heard a lot about meeting and event greening, but how much of what you know is actually true? As with all new things, there can be confusion and misinformation. The Event Greening Forum unpacks some common myths about sector greening and sets the record straight. From the Event…
Despite the UK’s imminent exit from the EU, Britain’s corporate event organisers continued to stage events in continental Europe during 2017 with 45 percent of clients choosing international venues. The British Meetings & Events Industry Survey shows Germany to be the preferred European destination among respondents, and equally as popular as the USA. From Meetpie.com…
Marriott International is slashing the industry-standard ten percent commission paid to group intermediaries. From March 31st the rate will be seven percent for hotels sourced in the US and Canada. The move prompted outrage from planners, many of whom rely solely on commission revenue. Iceberg partner Northstar has collated substantial coverage. From Meetings & Conventions…
The United Kingdom is a preferred host for international meetings, conferences and events because of its economic, academic and industry sector strengths. That applies equally to the major gateway cities and the many regional cities spread across every corner of the UK, each with extensive clusters of expertise in advanced and creative industries. This sector…
The Iceberg’s very own James Latham presented a session at Convening Leaders 2018 in Nashville called “The Rise of Intellectual Capitalism: The Role of Meetings”. Destinations and conferences which align themselves to knowledge clusters like biotech, fintech or healthcare reap benefits on all sides, he said. Latham was also interviewed by Amanda Marijanovic. From PCMA Convene…
Convening Leaders 2018 in Nashville was a valedictory event for Deborah Sexton, who is stepping down as CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association after thirteen years. So here are Deborah’s revealing answers to thirteen questions, including her country music ambitions, ad libbing after Matthew McConaughey, and surviving a plane hijacking. From PCMA Convene…
The Eternal City recently became the Eventprofs City for a weekend as the SITE + MPI Global Forum 2018 hit Rome. The first time the two had joined forces, the benefits of co-location were immediately obvious both in the sheer range of speakers and sessions, and in the value consequently delivered. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Convening Leaders 2018 saw a massive gathering in Nashville of industry expertise. Here are eighteen thought-provoking quotes from the show: from diversity to sustainability, and from entering the Chinese market to getting attendees out of their hotel rooms. “We don’t make changes because we see the light. It’s because we feel the heat.”. From PCMA Convene…
Made up of twelve convention bureaux partnering to help associations achieve success through their events, the BestCities Global Alliance has just run its second BestCities Global Forum in Tokyo. The conference’s four day programme included much talk of the beyond tourism benefits of meetings, including the “Incredible Impacts” grants BestCities has just co-presented. From Boardroom…
Artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, wearables, telemedicine: the convergence of healthcare and technology is reaching an inflection point at a time when other pressures are putting the squeeze on medical meetings. How can they stay relevant if the entire structure of healthcare is about to fundamentally change? From PCMA Convene…
The recent BestCities Global Forum in Tokyo has once more won unanimous approval from its attendees. One hundred percent of delegates said that they would recommend participating in the destinations conference to other international associations. 95 percent felt it met or exceeded expectations. 92 percent would now consider Tokyo for a future international meeting. From CIM News Magazine…
Australia’s Northern Territory has launched a scheme called the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund. Event organisers can apply for financial assistance of AU$100 per delegate up to a maximum of AU$50,000, with priority given to meetings that align with key knowledge sectors and whose participants are mostly from out of state. From CIM News Magazine…
Legacy will be the talking point of the IMEX Group’s 2018 events, according to CEO Carina Bauer. IMEX will be addressing political legacy, knowledge legacy and social impact, CSR, environmental and personal legacy. Two research reports, case studies and education sessions at both IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America will explore the topics. From Meetings & Conventions…
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