Following the recent deal around UK-based exhibition organiser Closer Still, M&A activity in the business events sector is heating up. Apollo-managed funds agreed to acquire Emerald Holding Inc. and Questex LLC in separate transactions, with plans to combine the two companies into a privately owned North American business-to-business events and media platform. From Eventsful…
Anna Look argues that the most important impact of conference subvention programmes such as Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF) comes from the conversations that can be initiated with local intellectual and business leaders, enabling them to understand how their bidding for and hosting of international meetings can exploit and showcase their expertise and attributes.
Small & Boutique Meetings — Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings — bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs, technology and merchandise providers, and other suppliers ready to welcome smaller events. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this…
Destination East is the premier hosted-buyer event for qualified meetings and incentive professionals sourcing programs in the East. Destination East will include destinations, hotels, DMCs, technology and merchandise providers, and other services provided in the Eastern US. Learn from, and be inspired by, our guest speakers who will provide targeted education…
Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings, bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs and other suppliers ready to welcome smaller events. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group.
The 10th Edition of the EsportsTravel Summit is the world’s largest gathering of esports tournament and video-game event organizers—and the only event dedicated to the travel side of the esports industry. Launched in conjunction with the TEAMS Conference & Expo in 2017, the EsportsTravel Summit quickly established itself as the industry’s leading platform.
ECA has registered its opposition to potential new tariffs under consideration by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), which could lead to new tariffs on imports from 60+ countries across a wide range of product categories. The scope is unusually broad, which increases the likelihood of increased costs and potential supply chain disruptions.
Destination Canada’s Canadian Tourism Outlook 2026–2035, prepared with Tourism Economics, highlights that demand for Canada as a destination is accelerating. The sector is outperforming expectations. The opportunity ahead is bigger than ever. This Outlook gives industry, government and partners a shared, current view of where growth is heading and what it takes to capture it.
In a vote of confidence for the positive societal and economic impact of Business Events, C$15 million has been earmarked over the next three years to help attract events in strategically important sectors. Administered by Destination Canada, ICAF has helped secure 116 international conventions, generating C$803.3 million in direct economic impact and supporting 6,692 jobs.
CEMA Summit is the annual moment that brings the world of event marketing together to compare strategies. We test ideas, we track lessons learned, and we unpack the best practices emerging as the industry evolves. Join event marketers from around the globe for three days of practitioner-led education, global case studies, and candid, future-focused conversation.
US Travel Association has published a helpful fact-sheet which not only provides key facts and figures related to travel and immigration, but outlines policy proposals (e.g. for visitors to provide social media histories) that would have a negative impact on visitor flows and the advocacy steps US Travel is taking to oppose them.
ASAE has released a free-to-download snapshot report on how associations are navigating a rapidly changing environment, drawing on a series of “pulse polls” conducted throughout the last year, and including trends in their meetings and international participation, helping association leaders connect data to strategy and identify where to focus for greater impact and resilience.
ECA announces a new era of advocacy, engagement and growth with a range of new tools, services and activities, and names Tommy Goodwin as President and CEO. Building on ECA’s success over the past five years, ECA 2.0 represents the next phase of growth as ECA deepens its advocacy work, and introduces new opportunities…
Tommy Goodwin, Vice President of Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, provides a helpful and robust decision-making framework for industry leaders attempting to understand and navigate the fast evolving geopolitical landscape we all are facing. From Exhibition World Magazine…
Ottawa Tourism and Invest Ottawa highlight their growing partnership to attract high-value international conferences and events, supported by the Think Ottawa program and Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund. With Ottawa’s strengths across aerospace, defence and security, cybersecurity and AI, the destination team is building a future pipeline of business events aligned with these sectors.
Industry leaders warn that new screening requirements for travelers to the US from countries in the Visa Waiver Program could mean higher costs, lost business, and meetings moving to other countries. Event planners remain hopeful that changes applying to business travelers will either be dialed back or get caught up in red tape. From Skift…
Following the ruling by the US Supreme Court that tariffs introduced under the auspices of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are unconstitutional, the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance described the decision as “welcome news for the business and professional events industry” which has faced mounting costs and prolonged uncertainty as a result of the tariffs.
ECA highlights the impact of the latest (third!) DHS shutdown that started on 14 February, especially on critical Transportation Security Administration, who will be working without pay again. As many take up second jobs to pay their bills, security checkpoint lines are forced to close, leading to longer wait times and more missed flights.
This event will bring together industry leaders and advocates from across the US and around the world to meet with members of Congress and congressional staff in support of ECA’s 2026 public policy priorities. Last year, 170 industry stakeholders from 30 states joined ECA to engage with federal policymakers, and for cross-industry networking opportunities.
Destinations International’s newly released The Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports report brings the visitor economy and its impact into sharp focus at a time when Canada is engaged in a national conversation about competitiveness, productivity, trade diversification and evolving global market relationships. From Conference & Meetings World…
The visitor economy plays a critical role in Canada’s broader economic and trade performance. The Impact of the Visitor Economy on Canadian Exports, commissioned by Destinations International’s Canadian Destination Leadership Council and conducted in partnership with EY-Parthenon, provides new evidence of how inbound travel contributes to export growth and drives Canada’s international competitiveness.
Powered by 