GainingEdge experts summarise this year’s GainingEdge Knowledge Exchange at IMEX Frankfurt, themed on risk management: the business events industry does not lack experience with crisis, but lacks a shared structure for managing it. That gap, and what the industry can do about it, is what the session spent an hour unpacking.
Leading associations expert Thomas Reiser has joined business events industry consulting firm GainingEdge. Reiser has more than 25 years’ experience working within international associations, including the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, association management companies and PCOs. His main role will be to focus on expanding GainingEdge’s service portfolio towards international associations. From AMI…
Leading global tourism and business events industry consulting firm, GainingEdge has announced that Hamish Reid has joined the company as Director, Business Development and Representation Services, UK and Europe, effective April 1, 2026. Reid brings more than 25 years of international experience in sales, marketing and strategic leadership in the Business Events sector…
Gary Grimmer argues that developing a value proposition around event impacts is the most strategic issue facing both destination promoters and events organisers. If we measure and report impacts effectively using multi-dimensional KPIs that communicate the industry’s full economic, social and environmental value, we’re going to be part of a more successful and sustainable industry.
GainingEdge has released the third edition of its Leveraging Intellectual Capital Global Report, analysing more than 7,500 international associations. Building upon the foundations of the 2021 report, the new edition introduces a refined methodology that broadens the analysis beyond associations hosting large congresses (over 500 participants) to also include mid-size conferences (200–499 participants).
Mark O. Schloesser, Senior Venue Consultant, Gaining Edge, calls for a more holistic approach to data management within major event venues. Reliable data across all key disciplines is essential for success, but depends on having a culture of accuracy, transparency and accountability – how many venues can honestly claim to have this throughout their organisations?
Leading global tourism and business events industry consulting firm, GainingEdge has announced that Steen Jakobsen will begin work as the company’s new CEO on September 1, 2025. Jakobsen has more than 25 years of international experience in the global tourism and business events industry. He served as Director of the Copenhagen Convention Bureau for 14…
Loren Christie, GainingEdge Consultant and Managing Director of BestCities Global Alliance argues that Destination Marketing Organisations are discovering that collaboration enhances resilience, amplifies impact and drives innovation. These partnerships should be more than operational, they should be visionary and meaningful, and DMOs should leverage their qualities to bring unique value when hosting international association meetings.
MICE/BE/CVB/LINK veteran Gary Grimmer reinvigorates an age-old challenge: we may understand and are able to communicate the scale and range of impacts that our events deliver for destinations, organisations, attendees and society at large, but what is the best way to present our sector to policymakers and other non-insiders? Is it possible or even desirable…
From GainingEdge, by Gary Grimmer: If destination marketing organisations (DMO) are to receive funds derived from private sources, there would need to be a mechanism by which the City imposes a levy or tax and then provides the resulting funding to the DMO. That could be through a hotel tax, or a district levy or…
Co-created by ICCA, Meet4Impact and GainingEdge, the Association Impact Masterclass is a new groundbreaking training programme, aligning seamlessly with the ICCASkills certification programme. This initiative will add valuable enhanced capabilities to the skillsets of association professionals worldwide, enabling them to design, deliver, and measure the impacts of their activities. Associations play a crucial role globally…
From Conference & Meetings World: Global meetings industry consulting company GainingEdge and its CEO Jon Sivertson (pictured) have issued a joint announcement that Sivertson is to leave the company at the end of February 2024. The company’s senior partner, Mike Williams, is currently serving as acting CEO until a new permanent one can be appointed….
This groundbreaking report, now in its fifth year, provides a comprehensive analysis of meeting destinations worldwide, offering insights into their competitiveness, strengths, and areas for improvement. This year’s edition shifts its focus to three major global regions: Top 30 EMEA destinations (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Top 15 APAC destinations (Asia-Pacific and Oceania), and Top 15…
From China National Convention Center II: As the world-renowned capital of China since ancient times, Beijing has now developed into a modern international city. It is home to seven world heritage sites and the first capital city in the world to have a UNESCO Global Geopark. China National Convention Center phase II (“CNCC II”), the…
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