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…
The death toll from a Taliban terror attack on a hotel in Kabul has risen to 20, including 14 foreigners. The victims were shot during a 14-hour rampage at the hotel, which was hosting an IT conference. Afghan security forces were lowered onto the roof and killed the six attackers aided by Norwegian troops. From Meetpie.com…
Following a pre-event row about the lack of keynotes from women, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas then had to enact an emergency evacuation after a power cut in its central hall. CES 2018 drew more than 175,000 attendees and over 3,900 exhibitors. This show filled 2.75 million square feet of space. From Meetings & Conventions…
ACC Liverpool says its events will proceed as planned following a fire which gutted its car park. Fire broke out on New Year’s Eve in the facility, which is adjacent to the BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool and the Pullman Liverpool hotel. 1,300 vehicles were destroyed in the blaze. Photo: Merseyside Fire and Rescue. From Meetpie.com…
In an age of terror attacks, natural disasters and political dissent, event safety and security is at the forefront of every planner’s thinking. But how do you deliver for delegates an environment that is as risk-free as possible? Here are ten tips to keep your meetings safe and secure. From Event Marketer magazine…
It was 2017’s most memorable meetings industry picture story: the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston repurposed as a mega-shelter in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Over 22 days, the venue became a temporary home to over 10,000 evacuees. Chief Operating Officer Luther Villagomez relives an operation the sector won’t quickly forget. From PCMA Convene…
Event organisers ignore contingency planning at their peril. In March 2017 Ernst & Young’s Future Finance Leaders Spring Seminar had to cope with the ultimate nightmare: postponement at less than 24 hours’ notice after the terror attack on Westminster Bridge in London. The team’s handling of the logistics went on to win an award. From PCMA Convene…
It’s far from the end of the story, but for now the United States Supreme Court is letting President Trump enforce a ban on travel to the US by residents of six mostly Muslim countries. Other legal challenges are still pending, as is the Supreme Court’s expected final ruling. Photo: Matt Wade. From Meetings & Conventions…
The commitment of one of Barcelona’s biggest association meetings, Mobile World Congress, has become lukewarm amid ongoing political unrest after the Catalonian independence referendum. Last year MWC attracted 108,000 delegates to the city, generating €465 million for the local economy and more than 13,000 temporary jobs. From Association Meetings International…
The head of security for the London 2012 Olympics, former MI5 Director General Lord Evans, has given the keynote at a Sydney Speaker Series lunch in London. The event was organised by both Business Events Sydney and ICC Sydney, and hosted by the High Commission of Australia. The Iceberg was also invited. If there was any doubt…
The head of security for the London 2012 Olympics, former MI5 Director General Lord Jonathan Evans, has given a Sydney Speaker Series keynote at the High Commission of Australia in London. “Collaborative activity between the venue, the event organisers, law enforcement and security authorities is critical”, he said (see also Opinions). From CIM News Magazine…
The Fall 2017 edition of Meeting Professionals International’s Outlook surveyed planners about their contingency plans for emergencies. 46 percent of respondents said they have specific contingency plans for natural disasters, 45 percent for active shooters, 43 percent for bomb threats, 40 percent for general illness/injury/death, and 31 percent for a cyber attack. From Meetings & Conventions…
After the New York City terror attack in which eight people died and eleven were injured, NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon expressed the tourism organisation’s deepest sympathy for the victims. He said it was “thankful and reassured by the swift actions of the NYPD and first responders”. Photo: Gh9449. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Iceberg has previously reported that ibtm world is proceeding despite the independence referendum tensions in Barcelona. Opinions has also already carried an interview with CVB Director Christoph Tessmar. But now evidence is emerging that Catalonia’s political uncertainty is already costing the region meetings business. Photo: Xfigpower. From editor’s blog at Meetpie.com…
How has trade-show security changed over recent years, and what now goes operationally into keeping exhibitors and visitors at an event safe under the current threat landscape? One of the top five global car exhibitions, the LA Auto Show, lifts the bonnet and reveals just how safety is currently engineered. From PCMA…
It’s not proving third time lucky for Trump’s Travel Ban III. As with his previous attempts to bar people from certain mainly Muslim nations from entering the United States, 3.0 has run into immediate challenges. Federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland blocked it just before it was due to take effect. From Meetings & Conventions…
Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, has been discussing the Catalonian independence referendum violence and how the situation affects events coming to the city. From 28th October to 1st November the 25th United European Gastroenterology Week will be bringing in around 15,000 congress delegates to the destination. Includes Turisme Barcelona’s official statement. From tmf dialogue marketing…
In the wake of the Las Vegas tragedy, Michael Susong of iJet International has been discussing the state of hotel security. Screening baggage is hard, but vigilance, noticing out of place details, protocols for warning security – and for leaving the area – are all crucial. Photo: C. Mendoza. From Meetings & Conventions…
The Bellagio fountains continue to spray. Showgirls again take money off visitors. Music and magic spectaculars have reopened their doors. Amid makeshift memorials and a large police presence, Tim Dahlberg describes a struggle for normality after the unthinkable, in a city built on both business and leisure tourism. Photo: C. Mendoza. From Meetings & Conventions…
As America reels from the grim mass shooting in Las Vegas – the deadliest in US history – the country’s meetings and events industry has been reaching out to a destination at its very heart. 58 people were killed and 489 injured by a gunman firing on an outdoor music event. Photo: S. Dizayee. From PCMA……
The meetings, events and incentives showcase ibtm world is to go ahead as planned next month despite simmering tensions in Barcelona after the Catalonian independence referendum. More than 850 people were injured as riot police raided polling stations to stop the vote, which was declared illegal by a Spanish court. Photo: Robert Bonet. From Meetpie.com…
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