Scotland’s capital is set to become the first city in the UK to fund its convention bureau through a mandatory tourist tax – or ‘visitor levy’ – in what could herald the start of major changes to how cities across the country attract business events and conference tourism. From M&IT…
The launch of the MeetEngland Impact Network at Sheffield’s Cutlers’ revealed why intellectual capital is one of England’s biggest advantages on the international business events stage. It was a genuinely significant industry moment — not just another announcement, but the start of something that could reshape England’s global competitiveness. From M&IT…
Seoul has announced plans to create its own versions of CES and the Davos forum as flagship international events as part of a broader effort to scale up the city’s MICE sector, The Korea Times reported. Cities are increasingly building rather than only bidding for international events, to support broader economic goals. From M&C/ASIA…
In this episode of The Meeting Room podcast, James Lancaster, Editorial Director at Northstar Meetings Group, and Iceberg Ambassador, discusses the latest implications of Trump travel policies suggesting a silent revolution on the part of event organisers and international visitors is well underway…
From AI abuse scandals to collapsing trust, X is no longer just “controversial” – it may be fundamentally broken. And that matters for meetings, events and destination marketers. With the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images by removing clothing, the demise of X as a credible social media platform feels complete.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the exhibition industry, including facilitation, promotion and MICE exchanges. CCPIT will encourage Chinese exhibition bodies to organise new international economic and trade exhibitions in Singapore; STB will help organisers establish and scale events.
From M&C/Asia: In an era where medical conferences are indispensable platforms for collaboration, peer learning and the cross-pollination of ideas, the choice of host city has become a strategic decision rather than a logistical one. Recent landmark gatherings are demonstrating that Macao is no longer a peripheral option but a serious contender for medical congresses.
Anna Abdelnoor, CEO and Founder of isla, observes that too many travel and event sector association leaders are underplaying the turmoil in geopolitics and international business systems that we are currently experiencing and don’t understand that their members would welcome clear-eyed leadership statements on the changed reality of the environment they’re operating in. From AMI…
Meeting design guru Mike van der Vijver calls for the adoption of organisational and evaluation frameworks that highlight the good that meetings deliver (for delegates, event owners, host destinations and society at large), rather than those designed to simply minimise the negative carbon impact of holding the event. From AMI…
From Meetings & Conventions Asia: Thanks to government policy, investment in an excellent events ecosystem and soaring ambition, Dubai is emerging as a global healthcare superstar. Its desire to provide a bridge for international knowledge-sharing is proving irresistible to some of the world’s most important medical events.
From AMI, by James Lancaster: The US military’s blitzkrieg against the Venezuelan government and the arrest of its leader, the dictator Nicolás Maduro, was the most dramatic moment so far in Trump the Sequel – but, despite the action likely contravening international law, it is unlikely to have much effect on whether or not international…
It’s often the case that business event calendars tend to hit a lull towards the end of the year as employees enter the holiday season. However, APAC’s business event suppliers are noticing a growing shift away from this trend, fuelled by rising demand for more meaningful experiences, and strategic drives to navigate uncertainty…
The latest survey results show that unanticipated government actions are the biggest threat to meetings. Planner sentiment is trending downward again: Forty-four percent of planners are less optimistic than they were six months ago. Compression has eased and RFP responses have improved, though planner concerns over costs and contract terms have increased.
AMI Editor James Lancaster re-ignites the ever-contentious debate about whether there are too many business events industry associations, which he argues has lead to an even greater number of less-than-effective partnerships and joint advocacy initiatives. Are we suffering from too much “talk-the-talk” and not enough “walk-the-walk”!
Produced by Northstar Meetings Group and its flagship SportsTravel media brand, TEAMS Europe brings together the leaders who are shaping the future of sports tourism: Hosted event organisers from international sports federations, professional and semi-professional leagues, mass participation events, youth sports, and esports. Destinations, venues, hoteliers, and industry suppliers eager to grow their share of…
The elite event for North American meeting and incentive travel buyers who are focused on placing programs around the world. Attendees will learn from industry experts, make invaluable business connections, and experience unforgettable activities at New York City’s iconic landmarks. This unique event is hosted by Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands – Successful Meetings, Meetings…
Northstar Meetings Group’s Luxury & Wellness Meetings event connects North American planners seeking luxury or wellness-focused venues for their meetings or incentives. Those selected to attend will participate in: Two productive days of pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings with suppliers; Insightful educational presentations from inspiring speakers; Great meals, receptions, and numerous networking opportunities with other elite buyers
IPEC, for independent planners, offers a unique chance to explore new venues and destinations; engage in peer-to-peer learning in a collaborative, non-competitive environment; and gain education tailored to you as a business owner and entrepreneur. All qualified buyers will be fully hosted by Northstar Meetings Group for two productive days of prescheduled meetings with key…
Destination Mexico and Latin America — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — brings together the most highly qualified meeting and incentive buyers from North America with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs, technology and merchandise providers, and tourism offices from the region. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers…
The SportsTravel Leadership Summit is a new kind of industry gathering—an exclusive event for senior leaders in sports-related travel. Modeled after the world’s most prestigious leadership summits, it is designed to foster unstructured, high-value networking in an environment that inspires connection, trust, and new partnerships. Set against the backdrop of the legendary, newly renovated Hotel…
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