AIME has opened its 2026 edition, recording record growth in buyers and exhibitors and highlighting strong progress toward its long-term sustainability commitments under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative. Exhibitors from 36 countries and territories are attending, with more than 25,000 meetings scheduled to take place between buyers and exhibitors across the two-day tradeshow.
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance has announced that its annual Legislative Action Day will take place on 28 May, in Washington, D.C., bringing together industry leaders and advocates from across the U.S. and around the world on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff in support of ECA’s 2026 public policy priorities.
IAPCO President Sissi Lignou calls for International healthcare conferences to be designed with the experiences of the end-beneficiaries of the conference theme as the central messaging. The PCO plays a critical role in bringing together all voices – destination representatives, event owners, delegates, speakers – to promote these key messages about impact and value created.
VP of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Tommy Goodwin, emphasises the importance of effective advocacy in supporting industry recognition, regulation, capacity building, and fiscal support from government. But Goodwin believes that success is best delivered in partnership and collaboration between industry organisations and individuals across the industry and illustrated by ECA’s success securing the…
From Skift Meetings: ICE-related shootings and protests in Minnesota have triggered hotel closures, event cancellations, and attendance declines, forcing planners to weigh safety, attendee sentiment, and economic impact when deciding whether to proceed. The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on January 24 has intensified unrest in Minneapolis…
IAPCO and PCMA have formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of an MOU at PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The agreement strengthens cooperation across thought leadership, professional education, research, and emerging leader engagement within the global business events industry, establishing a structured framework for collaboration between the two global organisations.
2025 marked a major shift for the events industry, and Freeman’s End-of-Year Trends Recap examines what was most impactful. One of the significant opportunities, and challenges, coming in 2026 is how the industry must prioritise stronger retention strategies. Attendee retirement is outpacing attendee retention, creating a significant workforce challenge over the next three years.
From Meetings International: A major boost for Kenya’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, President William Ruto on 15 December 2025 approved the operationalisation of the National Convention Bureau during a Cabinet meeting at State House – marking its re-establishment after being disbanded three years ago due to funding constraints.
At ICCA Congress 2025, Conference Ambassador Professor William McLean presented the legacy story of the World Endodontic Congress (WEC) 2024, a finalist in the Incredible Impacts Programme 2025. Hosted by the International Federation of Endodontic Associations (IFEA) and British Endodontic Society (BES), WEC 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland, harnessed creative, engaging activities to boost oral health…
The partnership supports the implementation of IAPCO’s Sustainability Strategy and introduces two cornerstone initiatives: a new Sustainability Award powered by Business Events Australia, and the development of a new IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit designed to equip professional congress organisers (PCOs) with practical tools and insights to drive measurable environmental and social impact.
From Exhibition World: International consultancy for the for the exhibition and conference industry, Germany-based jwc GmbH, has announced a shake up in its management structure that sees former UFI CEO and MD Kai Hattendorf join as managing partner, and founder Jochen Witt transition to executive chairman. The leadership changes include Sebastian Witt also named as…
For perspectives from around the world on destination competitiveness in the business and professional events space, check out the regular thought-pieces from the GainingEdge experts, exploring trends, developments and insights in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and destination-marketing industries, and strategic topics for DMOs, CVBs associations, exhibition & conference venues, and their advisors.
This press release from The Hague & Partners is included under “Case Studies” because it is an excellent example of how to communicate the “below the waterline” impacts of international meetings (as opposed to focusing on direct delegate and organiser expenditure), and how these impacts align with a destination’s intellectual capital strengths and economic development…
Dr Hayley Walker of IÉSEG presents an analytical argument with challenging perspective on the effectiveness of “mega-events”, especially those originally designed as government-to-government negotiation platforms, but which have attracted the involvement of big business and different communities of interest. As an industry, shouldn’t we be advocating more strongly for “impactful & effective meetings” not “bigger…
BCD Meetings & Events has released its What’s Trending 2026 guide. The report sets out what will shape meetings and events next year, with global findings and regional detail to help planners adjust programmes, budgets and formats in practical ways. The guide finds that meetings are now treated as strategic spend. From CMW…
webEDGE provides information on a range of subjects that are pertinent to those working in the meetings industry. The Congress Project Management Course is designed to equip business events industry professionals with a 360-degree view of congress organisation. Learn new skills, stay up to date on industry trends, and advance your career.
Proudly hosted by four IAPCO PCO members — AFEA, CONVIN, ERA, and ERASMUS — together with IAPCO destination partner This is Athens–Convention & Visitors Bureau, this landmark gathering will bring the IAPCO community together in the birthplace of the first symposia, united in purpose to keep #UnlockingExcellence.
This event is open to senior meeting professionals and previous EDGE Seminar attendees. It is open to both IAPCO members and non-members. The event website will go live soon but we encourage you to register your interest to attend now in order to avoid missing the limited spots available.
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