The trends expert and conference speaker Daniel Levine sees the near future of live events as “nothing less than spectacular”. For special events company owner Kevin Molesworth the picture is not quite so rosy and the sector has to be more realistic. The two have unique and rather different perspectives. From PCMA…
Confidence about recovery is revealed in Iceberg partner UFI’s latest Global Exhibition Barometer (see News and Research). But should rebuilding rely solely on rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, or also on advocacy that events can run safely and on “testing over quarantine”. UFI CEO Kai Hattendorf has been planning the months ahead. From Event MB…
This autumn the Global Forum of Iceberg partner BestCities Global Alliance returns in Madrid. Other major congresses are also heading to the Spanish capital, including World Blindness Summit, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology and the Spanish Society of Stomatological Prosthesis. All are committed to leaving legacies. From BestCities Global Alliance…
US distribution of the vaccine in the weeks that followed initial rollout was anything but smooth, with vaccine shortages around the world, confusion around US distribution plans that vary state by state and challenges with registration systems. Those frustrating realities dampened the hopes of participants (491 planners and 219 suppliers) in this latest survey, conducted…
This study is based on a global survey, conducted in January 2021. It represents up-to-date information on the development and outlook of the global exhibition industry as well as on 24 countries and 5 five aggregated regional zones. Global Exhibition Barometer 26th Edition (January 2021) (UFI website) Global Exhibition Barometer 26th Edition (January 2021) Infographic…
According to the COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard conducted between December 14th and 17th, eleven percent more suppliers and planners checked off “hopeful” when asked how they were feeling, nearly half of suppliers (49 percent) and 54 percent of planners. Planners in particular have come a long way since October when the were first asked to share…
The Dutch government is to expand its support package for jobs and the economy with a raft of measures including plans for a €300 million guarantee fund for events. While vaccinations are underway in the Netherlands, businesses continue to suffer during the economic crisis with the country in lockdown. From Conference & Meetings World…
An “ambitious” plan to create a carbon reduction target for the business events sector has been presented, with the intention of launching during COP26. Positive Impact Events, an Iceberg partner, is hoping to raise £30,000 for the project, to be delivered under UN Framework Convention on Climate Change auspices. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Confidence among exhibition organisers that profits will double this year has been revealed in the latest UFI Global Barometer survey of 457 companies. The exhibition organisers’ association and Iceberg partner reported said that though over half of members have had to reduce workforce, the crisis has reinforced faith in face-to-face events. From Meetings International…
Iceberg partner AIME (Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event) has cancelled its 2021 show, scheduled to run at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and online in March, due to the pandemic. The challenges of both domestic and international travel restrictions weighed against healthy interest from exhibitors and buyers. From Meetings International…
Germany has received clearance from the European Commission to roll out an umbrella scheme which offers damage compensation to trade fairs and congresses in the country. The scheme is reportedly worth €642 million. Eighty percent of national and international trade fairs planned throughout 2020 got cancelled or postponed. From Conference & Meetings World…
The Austria Center Vienna is the nation’s largest COVID-19 testing facility. Over two weeks before the holiday break, around 113,000 rapid tests were conducted at the venue. Heavy demand meant increasing the number of testing lanes (both walk-in and drive-in), with up to twenty now available. From Conference & Meetings World…
Organisers hosting their meetings in Vienna through 2021 and 2022 will be covered by Austria’s government if there are COVID cancellations or restrictions. The protective umbrella has been welcomed by the Vienna Convention Bureau. Other markets either have similar schemes or else are campaigning for them. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
PCMA’s Convening Leaders has been held as a global showcase of business events. Houston in Texas had initially been chosen to host, but the pandemic meant that PCMA connected delegates mainly via the Marina Bay Sands Global Broadcast Center in Singapore. The content was constructed around “Recovery Discovery”. From Conference & Meetings World…
IMEX Frankfurt 2021, due to have been held at Messe Frankfurt this May, has been cancelled. The news follows the cancellation last year of IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America. Iceberg partner IMEX Group said the industry’s resurgence would arrive too late to organise a successful show. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Two of Copenhagen’s largest event venues, Bella Center Copenhagen and Øksnehallen, have opened as vaccination centres. The pair make up two of five major vaccination centres in the Copenhagen City Region. Both venues also acted as COVID-19 test facilities and Bella Center still offers drive-in tests with no prior booking required. From Conference & Meetings World…
The events industry is worth £70 billion annually to the UK economy in terms of visitor spend, over half of all tourism expenditure. £165 billion further of trade is transacted during business events. The Chief Executive of ICC Wales, Ian Edwards, profiles the UK business events industry’s current state of play. From Celtic Manor…
Gregg Talley, President and CEO of Iceberg partner Talley Management Group, believes Africa’s attraction as a business event destination should remain clear-cut after the pandemic. The continent is still “an incubator for innovation and an incredible cultural experience that connects us all to the cradle of humanity”. From Conference & Meetings World…
The CEO of Iceberg partner IMEX Group, Carina Bauer, has discussed the decision taken to cancel IMEX Frankfurt 2021. The early call, she said, was “to give everybody clarity”. Bauer also discussed what’s next for IMEX, including her hopes for IMEX America in November and the future of PlanetIMEX. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Sven Bossu was named as Iceberg partner AIPC’s first CEO back in May. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director for Innovation at ESTRO (European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) after eight years at SWIFT’s SIBOS. Here he offers the same message of a retiring Flemish TV anchor… “everything will be fine”. From AIPC…
Kenya’s conference tourism has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Cancellations have led to losses of over KS800 million, not to mention the economic ripple effect for the country of lost international conferences. Geoffrey K. Thande is Director of Business Development Services at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). From Conference & Meetings World…
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