Conferences and events are set to play a key role in the West Midlands’ new Regional Tourism Strategy, which aims to grow the area’s visitor economy by more than £1 billion and create 19,000 local jobs. At the conurbation’s heart is Birmingham, a city on the rise. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Looking into 2020, sector professionals are “very optimistic” about the meetings and events industry. This global survey’s respondents are predicting that the industry will remain steady with moderate growth across all meeting types, with modest increases in spend, and with a continued focus on the attendee experience and experiential events. 2020 Global Meetings and Events…
ExCeL London has hosted Sibos, the world’s premier financial services event, for the first time. With over 9,000 business leaders attending alongside 300 banking and fintech exhibitors, it was Sibos’ largest-ever audience and exhibitor participation. A host of fringe activity also took place around London, delivering significant economic impact. From Association Meetings International…
Meet in Reykjavik, in partnership with the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, has hosted an annual event for partners in the country’s meetings industry. At the event, three of the convention bureau’s ambassadors were honoured for their roles in securing important meetings for the Icelandic capital. From Meetings International…
Adelaide is celebrating 75 secured meetings so far this year, which are expected to bring in around 28,000 delegates and AU$136 million to the South Australia capital. The Adelaide Convention Bureau says the longer term benefits of hosting the events include attracting trade and inward investment. From Association Meetings International…
Ottawa Tourism and The Hague Convention Bureau have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will bring the two cities’ convention offerings closer together over the coming years. The agreement was initially discussed five years ago at the ICCA Congress in Antalya, and both organisations have since then sought ways to cooperate. From Meetings International…
For the first time ever the UN has received commitments from the event industry at the Sustainable Development Goal Summit in New York. 7,000 pledges were collected from 58 countries, and the resultant “acceleration action” from Iceberg partner Positive Impact is promoting events as a form of lifelong learning (SDG 4). From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
During August, Iceberg partner Positive Impact conducted a survey of event industry commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over 7,000 pledges from 58 countries were received, like using only plant-based food to reduce carbon footprint. In a video from outside UN HQ in New York, CEO Fiona Pelham explains. From Positive Impact via YouTube…
Davos is perhaps best known for staging the World Economic Forum, which gathers around 3,000 leading figures from business, politics and science every year. As such, it also has the expertise and capacity to host association events, as Professor Geoff Richards, Director of the AO Research Institute Davos, can testify. From Boardroom…
Iceberg partner Positive Impact has been campaigning for the meetings industry to align its activity to the framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. An industry survey that was conducted during August is being submitted to the UN itself. In a further video recorded at IMEX America, CEO Fiona Pelham explains. From IMEX via YouTube…
A recent conference hosted by Tropic Skincare at The Vox was the first fully plant-based event held at the Resorts World Birmingham venue. As a developer of freshly made, cruelty-free products, the cosmetics brand had wanted to reflect these values through its conference menu. Meals included an “indulgent” gala dinner. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
France’s Art Nouveau capital, Nancy, has jumped on the sustainability agenda and is emerging as a premier locale for green meetings. The Prouvé Congress Center boasts a roof covered in solar panels and a bee farm. The trend towards green initiatives trickles through the rest of the city, and its convention bureau as well. From Boardroom…
The first day of IMEX America in Las Vegas saw appointments, enquires and bookings for the event’s high-level meetings industry participants. IMEX attendee numbers, including exhibitors, are expected to exceed 13,000 people this year, with more than 70,000 appointments being held across the event. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre recently hosted 200 people at an immersive educational event for the Association Management Companies Institute, as well as two other high-profile events this year for US-based associations. This investment in growing partnerships with North American associations continues with four major bid wins for 2020. From Boardroom…
Despite the Hong Kong government giving in to protestors’ demands to withdraw its extradition bill, political disruption has continued across the territory. Organisers are nervous of holding events there, but the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and other local players have been keen to allay all fears. Photo: Studio Incendo. From Meetings & Incentive Travel…
Denver is the latest city, and the fourth in the US, to join Iceberg partner the Global Destination Sustainability Index. The Colorado capital’s sustainability credentials as both convention city and destination include the LEED Gold certified Colorado Convention Center with its own sustainability programme, green hotels and citywide bike sharing. From Boardroom…
CWT M&E has unveiled its ranking of the top ten cities for meetings and events in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2020, with London holding onto the coveted number one spot. The ranking is based on data in the CWT 2020 Future Trends in Meetings & Events report just out. From Meetings International…
Plans for the Galaxy International Convention and Exhibition Centre have just been presented at IBTM China in Beijing. Macau is getting the coming 40,000 square metre conference and business event facility, with 10,000 square metre exhibition and convention hall, as the third phase of the Galaxy casino resort completes in 2021. From Meetings International…
London has just hosted the 33rd edition of the European Cities Marketing Summer School. This year’s event graduated 64 students from three continents, including four from the USA and Canada and five from South Africa. Brand new for 2019 was an innovative stronger connection between attendees and the host city. From European Cities Marketing…
Through August, global meetings industry professionals were asked for comments and commitments about how the sector can support UN Sustainable Development Goals. Survey responses have now been analysed by Iceberg partner Positive Impact to form an “acceleration action” shared with the UN. CEO Fiona Pelham explains. From Positive Impact via YouTube…
Holland’s network of thought leaders plays a key role in attracting international association events and enhancing the country’s reputation as a knowledge hub. Here four key influential figures, instrumental in winning bids for Utrecht, The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, discuss the experience. The group includes Professor Peter Reiss (pictured at AIDS 2018). From Boardroom…
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