Meeting planners reacted strongly to the US Supreme Court overturning the Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion rights. Over 40 percent said state abortion legislation would influence site-selection decisions. But Iceberg partner Destinations International has been on a mission to convince groups that travel boycotts simply do not work. From Northstar Meetings Group…
PCMA has held a roundtable discussion in Washington DC on how to navigate events in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision on US abortion rights. Ninety minutes of fascinating crosstalk on the rights and wrongs of events boycotting destinations because of their laws ensued. From PCMA…
The US Supreme Court ruling that lifted constitutional protections for access to abortion services has now prompted calls for scientific events to boycott states that have banned or severely restricted services. At least one organisation has already moved a meeting out of Louisiana over the issue of abortion rights. Photo: Ted Eytan. From Nature…
On the back of a flash survey, Editor James Lancaster talks with Loren Edelstein, VP Content Director at Northstar Meetings Group, about how the US Supreme Court’s about turn on Roe v. Wade could inflence where international associations meet, and whether organisations should be being political about site selection. Photo: Ted Eytan. From Association Meetings International…
There is a huge disconnect between “sustainability” and what it will take for real change. Generation Z is passionate about reversing the climate crisis through individual means. This shift of mindset was also the topic of a past report for business events, The Regenerative Revolution, published by Iceberg partner IMEX Group and Marriott International. From PCMA…
Iceberg partner IMEX has now been championing sustainable exhibitions for over two decades. With its two huge global events generating zero waste and powered by renewable energy, the Group has just set its sights on zero carbon. CEO Carina Bauer explains how exhibitions need to become much more sustainable in order to survive. From Exhibition News…
In the film world, “slap” once meant make–up, slapstick comedy, or the slap of a clapperboard synchronising picture and sound. But for meeting planners, a rather different slapping incident at the 2022 Oscars reveals the need to have a full emergency response plan and code of conduct in place. From Associations Now…
It is essential to rethink the relationship between meetings and events and climate change, according to BCD Meetings and Events. BCD M&E’s new sustainability report focuses on the impact the meeting, events and corporate travel industries have on the environment, and continues the discussion of how we move towards a more sustainable future together. The…
A large number of meetings industry groups have now made statements condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are raising awareness or funds, or have barred Russian state participation in meetings. More and more convention venues in Europe have now converted their facilities to house the millions of Ukrainians escaping the ravages of war. From PCMA…
As refugees flee the war in Ukraine, Russian members of Iceberg partner ICCA (the International Congress and Convention Association) will not be attending association events until further notice. The ICCA board also cancelled all planned activities and meetings in Russia. Iceberg partner UFI has as well suspended Russian members. From Association Meetings International…
Ukrainian scientists have called for an international boycott of scientific conferences inside Russia and asked for Russian institutes and scientific leaders to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile international associations and other academic bodies are scrambling to cancel conferences in Russia and find alternative venues or pivot their meetings to virtual events. From Association Meetings International…
IMEX in Frankfurt has barred all Russian state enterprises from exhibiting at the show in May in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Iceberg partner’s Group CEO Carina Bauer and its Chairman Ray Bloom posted the decision in a statement on social media which also offered Ukraine sipport. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen international associations with either Russian or Belarusian members, or exhibitors, or events planned, forced to take hard decisions fast, and hold difficult discussions about ending or suspending long-standing, lucrative collaborations. Ioannis Pallas, the European Society of Association Executives’ Association Manager, offers a guide. From Associations Meetings International…
The Business Visits and Events Partnership, the umbrella body and advocacy group representing the UK events sector, has published its Shape of Events report. The study was compiled using responses from over 300 professionals and organisations from across the UK events sector and authored by Richard Smith from Team Tourism Consulting and John Gallery, Chair…
Delegates’ growing demand for unique venues, unique food, new flavour experiences, greater transparency and healthier products are destined to continue to shape food at events, but what does the future of event food look like? Beyond Food: The Future of Conference and Event Food (Lime Venue Portfolio website, registration required)
Journalist Holly Patrick’s recent fam trip to Madrid came with a carbon dioxide footprint of 241.8kg, also equivalent to charging up a phone 29,000 times. So how did she offset the environmental price tag of flying there, and what options are available for event attendees with carbon on their conscience? From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
World of Concrete 2021 from June 7th to 10th attracted over 58,000 registered professionals and hosted more than 1,564 leading industry suppliers across more than 746,000 net square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, according to lasvegashowto.com. Other estimates put that number closer to 30,000, but one thing is true. With…
In a surprise move, just days before PCMA invited the business events community to participate in its May COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that fully vaccinated individuals no longer had to wear masks outdoors and indoors, except in hospitals, on public transit and other specified places. CDC’s latest…
It has been revealed that COP26 President Alok Sharma has taken flights to 30 countries over the last seven months. The UK government minister running the UN’s climate change conference in Glasgow has been accused of hypocrisy, racking up tens of thousands of air miles in quick succession. From Association Meetings International…
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were the most expensive to date, and too big to fail, despite ongoing challenges from the pandemic. Gary Grimmer, the Executive Chairman of Iceberg partner GainingEdge, says they make a timely case study for planners and destinations in the new paradigm of broadcast-friendly hybrid events. From Meetings & Conventions Asia…
The Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe has published an update of its 2020 study on The Impact of Coronavirus on Europes Convention Sector. The new report, prepared by Tourism Economics, provides three recovery scenarios to reflect the possible range of developments given the level of uncertainty about how the pandemic situation…
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