In 2016 Turkey’s largest city Istanbul claimed eighth spot in ICCA’s much-trumpeted city rankings. Today it is in 133rd place. Over the past 24 months the city has suffered deadly terrorist attacks, a failed coup, and a series of purges against its citizens, including teachers, journalists and lawyers. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
Despite a recent report that men give more than twice as many talks than women at scientific conferences, there are signs that female-to-male ratios are improving at some events. One of the best strategies for tackling the gender agenda is to include women as part of the team that selects speakers. From PCMA Convene…
Even before the leaders of North and South Korea shook hands over the Demilitarized Zone border, plans were already being made for a possible meeting between Kim Jong-un and US President Trump. Is this political coup the legacy of an event: the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang? From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
In the US April 10th is Equal Pay Day. The date chosen reinforces a point. It takes women nearly four months longer to catch up to a man’s annual salary. Last year Convene’s Annual Salary Survey reported that female respondents earned 22 percent less than male respondents. This year’s survey has now closed. From PCMA Convene…
As UK firms must now submit gender pay gap data, it is clear that women working at large event agencies are on average paid less than men. But gender pay gaps and staffing makeup are separate issues. If there are still more men at the top, is this for men to address? From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
Puma has been accused of glamorising crime after hosting a drug and gang-themed party in central London. The sportswear brand invited people to its House of Hustle party in an abandoned Soho mansion by sending out wads of fake £50 notes and ‘trap phones’: less traceable low-tech handsets used by drug dealers. From Meetpie.com…
The organiser of the UK Rail Industry Awards has apologised after the ceremony featured a mock terror assault. The awards at Battersea Evolution were being held on the first anniversary of the Westminster Bridge attack. As well as the spoof terror stunt, complaints were also made about language and humour used during the event. From Meetpie.com…
The financial services event Sibos is heading back to Sydney in October and already looking to create new legacies in the destination (see JMIC Case Studies). Organisers SWIFT have launched the 2018 SWIFT Institute Challenge, which tasks Australian students with devising new ways of protecting personal information in an open banking environment. From CIM News Magazine…
Cape Town is to bid for more incentive travel business over the next twelve months, as it sends out the message that the region is still open for business. The city is currently suffering one of the worst droughts in its history, and could actually even run out of water. From Meetpie.com…
The events industry has a significant female workforce, yet only 27 percent of women at CEO or MD level. So there’s some catching up to do. For International Women’s Day, Director of Venues at RIBA Moya Maxwell discusses where we are, where we’re going and what needs to change. From editor’s blog at Meepie.com…
In her Oscar acceptance speech, actress Frances McDormand finished with two words: “inclusion rider”. The notion that an actor can contractually insist a film’s cast and crew meet a certain level of diversity was first floated at a conference. If inclusion riders become standard in Hollywood, might they also for event speakers? From PCMA Convene…
Most meetings and events organisations aren’t meeting minimum standards of risk-managment protocols for attendees. That’s according to a survey conducted by iJET International and GoldSpring Consulting. The report, “Achilles Heel: Meetings & Events Risk Managment Lags Corporate Travel Programs,” is based on responses from more than 400 planners and decision makers. From Meetings & Conventions…
In November the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) welcomed a record number of delegates to its 56th annual congress. Almost 1,300 members, including more than 40 association executives, travelled to Prague for four days of education, chapter meetings and networking. During the event, the inaugural winners of the “Incredible Impacts” grants supported by both…
Events have been called off across the UK after heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures. In Edinburgh a job fair at the Assembly Rooms was postponed until May. In London a dinner organiser found half his guests having problems attending, then some of the chefs. “Doughnuts work at a formal event right?!” he tweeted. Photo: Derek Harper. From Meetpie.com…
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 IRF 2018 Trends Study highlights ten key trends that will affect organizations, their products and services, and the workforce in 2018. From market optimism to concerns about risk and safety, the study identifies key areas of change and their implications for workforce engagement, incentive travel and recognition. IRF 2018 Trends Study (IRF website version)
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…
Before opening, the ICE Totally Gaming event at London’s ExCeL was warned by the Gambling Commission that it faced a boycott if it did not stamp out sexism. The message fell on deaf ears, as Microgaming kicked off proceedings with a Playboy-themed show, while Endorphina had pole dancers on its stand. From Meetpie.com…
After the Presidents Club Dinner, it was the charity sector that took the heat, while meetings and events whistled a tune and looked the other way. Coming research will show that the MI also has a problem. But perhaps the response needs to be proportionate and in context. From editor’s blog at Association Meetings International…
Only a few weeks ago the Puerto Rico Convention Center was still the main headquarters of the area’s emergency response effort after the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The venue’s General Manager Jorge Perez looks back at how his facility was commandeered by both the Federal Emergency Management Agency and by local officials. From Successful Meetings…
Men-only business events and ‘decorative hostesses’ should have been “thrown on the scrapheap decades ago”, says the CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association. But Martin Sirk said the recent Presidents Club scandal should not be seen as typical of the sector. The industry had previously been attacked for its response. From Association Meetings International…
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