B. Joseph Pine II Leads Formidable Line-up of Speakers for IBTM World’s Exceptional Experiences Programme
Exceptional Experiences returns with WeTransfer, Canva, Shutterstock, Amazon and UTA eager to share their insights and expertise.
Latest Editions
Meetings International #35
Meetings International #34
Meetings International BIR #20
Meetings International BIR #19
Recent News
Northstar Travel Group to Be Acquired by JTB Corp
The B2B media, events, and information services company will operate independently as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Dubai Welcomes 9.88 Million International Visitors in the First Half of 2025
Dubai continues to set new records in international visitation, with a 6 per cent year-over-year increase during the first half of 2025.
PCMA Announces 2026 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate for Membership Approval
The slate reflects PCMA’s global reach, with nominees from APAC, EMEA, LATAM and North America, including a next-generation leader.
ICCA Middle East Summit 2025 to Be Held in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the First Time in September
The forum will feature a focused agenda of panel discussions, case studies, workshops, and structured networking, targeting critical topics.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre Is Having a Record-Breaking Congress Year
The goal of the Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board is to double the tourism revenue generated by foreign visitors in Helsinki by 2030.
King of Sweden To Honour World’s Leading Flood Expert With 2025 Stockholm Water Prize
On Wednes 27 August, the 2025 Stockholm Water Prize will be presented to Professor Günter Blöschl of Austria during World Water Week.
Steen Jakobsen Appointed New CEO of GainingEdge
Executive Chairman, Gary Grimmer, said that Steen Jakobsen’s service in the role will benefit both GainingEdge and the industry.
High-Level Conference in Malmö on Future-Proofing Our Port Cities
The City of Malmö is jointly hosting the event, focusing on climate adaptation, growth, green transition, critical infrastructure and resilience.
Sarawak Sets National Legacy Agenda at EventXpo 2025
Sarawak made waves in Malaysia’s business events scene again by returning to EventXpo with bigger goals and a stronger presence.
ITE HCMC 2025: Sustainable Tourism and Vibrant Experiences
The largest and most prestigious international travel trade event in Vietnam will officially take place in September at the SECC.
Worth a Watch
Patrick Delaney explains why he reads Meetings International magazine
UNBROKEN Ukraine – A Call to Action
IMEX 2023: Gustavo Staufert, Guadalajara CVB
IMEX 2023: Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, Destination Canada
IMEX 2023: Robin Mack, Business Events Australia
Hybrid Meetings: a CityDNA Summer School analysis
Copenhagen Legacy Lab on Creating Long-Term Positive Impact From Congresses
Glasgow Tackles Climate Change with Asphalt Art
IBTM World 2022: Noor Ahmad Hamid, Malaysia Convention Bureau on Legacy
IBTM World 2022: Annleyg Lamhauge, Visit Faroe Islands
IBTM World 2022: Annika Römer, Copenhagen Legacy Lab on Legacy
IBTM World 2022: Samantha Glas, ICC Sydney on Legacy
Featured
A Paradigm Shift
Long-term Consequences When global knowledge and expertise are shifting away, in favour of wall-building exercises.
Troubled and Divided
Intermission Cultural Personality of the Year, Haruki Murakami, hopes to contribute to connecting human hearts.
Shaping the Narrative of Business Events in Africa
The Broader Impact The strategic foresight of Rick Taylor’s unrelenting decades of pioneering work towards the infinite horizons of futures imagined.
AI Reduces Stress Over Work Tasks
Radar At least for employees performing new tasks at work, or that are tasked with performing many tasks.
A Paradigm Shift
Long-term Consequences When global knowledge and expertise are shifting away, in favour of wall-building exercises.
China Creates Conditions to Strengthen Business Events
Economic Development The President of the Shanghai Exhibition Industry Association, claims that China’s exhibition and meetings facilities area ranks first globally.
Oman Continues Its Progress Towards Sustainability
Sustainable Impact In a testament to their efforts, Oman was recently named the least polluted country in the GCC.
Shaping the Narrative of Business Events in Africa
The Broader Impact The strategic foresight of Rick Taylor’s unrelenting decades of pioneering work towards the infinite horizons of futures imagined.
How to Create Competitive Advantage and Set Your Meetings and Events Apart
Create Advantage Scott Steinberg on clever and cost-effective strategies to help stand out, and stay one step ahead of the pack.
Latest MI Edition
Words Are Containers of Power
Intro Atti Soenarso reflects on the currently ongoing world-stage blitzkrieg on free speech, and its implications.
A Paradigm Shift
Long-term Consequences When global knowledge and expertise are shifting away, in favour of wall-building exercises.
Can Your Observations and Memories Be Trusted?
Psychological Meetings Hans Gordon ponders whether we can trust our memories of events, or even the perceptions that formed them.
AI Reduces Stress Over Work Tasks
Radar At least for employees performing new tasks at work, or that are tasked with performing many tasks.
Business Events Are a Priority for Abu Dhabi
Strategic Development Benefits like knowledge exchange and sector development underline why business events are a priority for the emirate.
The Zambia Business Events Sector Is Headed for Significant Growth
Paths to Progress While putting ‘afronauts’ on the moon remains, Zambia has a rich mosaic of meeting facilities and supporting infrastructure ready.
Troubled and Divided
Intermission Cultural Personality of the Year, Haruki Murakami, hopes to contribute to connecting human hearts.
Shaping the Narrative of Business Events in Africa
The Broader Impact The strategic foresight of Rick Taylor’s unrelenting decades of pioneering work towards the infinite horizons of futures imagined.
Athens New Role as a Global Metropolis
Radar One of Europe’s most significant urban regeneration projects, the Ellinikon, is underway in Athens.
China Creates Conditions to Strengthen Business Events
Economic Development The President of the Shanghai Exhibition Industry Association, claims that China’s exhibition and meetings facilities area ranks first globally.
Key Priority: Integrate DEI Into Every Aspect
Prioritise DEI Embrace inclusivity to create more meaningful, diverse, and impactful experiences for all attendees.
The Soloist’s Symphony
Radar She had always been told that the orchestra was everything, that the collective harmony trumped individual brilliance.
Oman Continues Its Progress Towards Sustainability
Sustainable Impact In a testament to their efforts, Oman was recently named the least polluted country in the GCC.
Imex Frankfurt Education Programme: Designed to Inspire and Impact
The Power of Knowledge Full rundown revealed, with over 150 professional and personal development learning sessions.
The Rules of Forgiveness
Sharma Robin Sharma on how getting brilliant at forgiving others delivers benefits to you as a leader, producer and person.
How to Create Competitive Advantage and Set Your Meetings and Events Apart
Create Advantage Scott Steinberg on clever and cost-effective strategies to help stand out, and stay one step ahead of the pack.
How Many Scientific Conventions Will the US Lose Under Trump?
Kellerman Roger Kellerman on the consequences of driving knowledge and talent oversees, or just plainly into the sea.
Featured
Mastering the Art of Long-Time Perspective
Roger Kellerman on being stubborn on the long-term vision but flexible on the details.
Dubai Economic Agenda Is to Double the Size of the Economy Over the Next Decade
Attracting international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions is central to growing Dubai’s economic development.
The World’s Largest Indoor Vertical Farm Saves 250 Million Litres of Water Every Year
Produces over a million kilos of leafy greens annually, with 95 per cent less water than conventional farming.
The Dubai Mindset
Atti Soenarso: While there is no single right or perfect framework for foresight, lacking a guide means abandoning control over the future.
Dnata: Logistic Efficiency Is What Matters
It is all about optimisation, and the technology helps visualise what’s happening in your business as accurately as possible.
New Environment Authority Plans to Double Green Spaces
Will promote sustainable practices and aims to make Dubai a top-10 ranked city in leading sustainability indices by 2033.
Dubai World Trade Centre: A Powerful Hub for Knowledge Exchange
Working to further cement Dubai’s status as a global business events hub and preferred destination for doing business.
Mastering the Art of Long-Time Perspective
Roger Kellerman on being stubborn on the long-term vision but flexible on the details.
Latest MI|BIR Edition
The Paris Olympic Spirit 2.0
Intro Atti Soenarso on the power of an Olympic reset reshaping the image of both event and country, and on bottling its spirit for years to come.
The Business Events Industry Can Help to Create a More Peaceful World
Urban Planning Seoul Tourism Organization President Ki Yon Kil on sustainable urban development and the necessity for stable geopolitics.
Northshore Vision 2050 Legacy Plan Beyond the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games
Legacy Infrastructure Transforming the Northshore Hamilton district into a thriving hub of residential, commercial, and sports infrastructure.
Global DMC Partners Results and Key Findings of Q3
Meetings & Events Survey The business events industry faces ongoing cost challenges and the need for larger budget increases.
Global DMOs Operate with Dysfunctional Funding Models
DMO Funding Models Internationally, market success doesn’t always correlate with market resourcing, and could even have adverse effects on funding.
Bratislava Can Become One of Europe’s 20 Most Important Business Event Cities
Strategic Development A wide range of stakeholders know that this industry has a far-reaching economic impact on the city and its brand.
Having a Dedicated Convention Bureau with Political Support Is a Game Changer
Strategic Development The philosophy has remained unchanged since launch: to be experts in their destination, Slovakia and Bratislava.
Increase the Representation of Women in Leadership Roles
Advancing Women The disparity of women in business events versus women in leadership positions within the industry is particularly striking.
Ethiopian Airlines Signs Contract for Mega Airport City
Investment The new airport facility will handle up to 100 million passengers annually, making it of the most significant aviation hubs worldwide.
Rethink Digital Slide Presentations
Achieve New Heights Mike van der Vijver is against the default thinking that slideshows are necessary. They are just one of many options.
Business Events in Brazil Is Booming
Economic Development Boosted by many global companies and corporations now considering the country an important investment destination.
Global Events Are Crucial in Exchanging Knowledge and Experiences, Fostering Collaboration and Innovation
The Value of Business Events Politicians in Prague and the Czech Republic recognise the importance of business events.
How to Boost Learning and Engagement at Your Events
New Learning Models The practice of gamification offers a means of addressing current needs and boosting engagement and takeaway.
DXB Breaks Mid-Year Record with 44.9 Million Guests
Boosting Economy On track to break records with 91.8 million annual guests forecasted for 2024, after market resurgence.
Most Companies Today Are Only 80 per Cent Efficient
Brain Check To achieve a change for the better, you need to know enough to understand the problem and what can be done about it.
When Content No Longer Matters, Is Analytics the New Religion?
Kellerman Roger Kellerman ponders why metrics themselves now appear more important than what’s actually being measured.
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