Unmask Your Potential at the Entrepreneurs 2021 Summit
21 HRS AGO - Entrepreneurship is booming in South Africa as so many embrace the opportunity to live our purpose Expand
21 HRS AGO - Entrepreneurship is booming in South Africa as so many embrace the opportunity to live our purpose and chase our dreams of being successful business owners. Gaining knowledge from experts and other entrepreneurial innovators is a pivotal part of being a business owner; it can inspire and expose you to a diverse range of business perspectives... Collapse
How to immerse in the experience to move past virtual fatigue
2 DAYS AGO - By Shaun Whatling, vice-president, business growth, Pico+ discusses designing virtual events Expand
2 DAYS AGO - By Shaun Whatling, vice-president, business growth, Pico+ discusses designing virtual events around human needs The ongoing shift to virtual in life, work and business has not been entirely free of hiccups. Many businesses who have moved from annual in-person events to more frequent online events are facing a challenge: virtual fatigue. The actual problem lies not in the medium, but in a failure to engage creatively within the medium. For example, features such as one-to-one chat and videoconferencing software integration and in-built matchmaking offer a tempting canvas for events, but the danger is that event planners may view technology as the solution rather than as a tool. Meanwhile, the highly competitive pricing of virtual platforms has meant that most clients end up budgeting against technology, not against audience needs. What is too frequently forgotten is that the real value comes in designing the experience into the technology. The most practical advice is also the most Collapse
Crowd Connected partners with Konduko for active and passive tracking solutions
2 DAYS AGO - Event technology suppliers, Crowd Connected and Konduko have agreed a strategic partnership, Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Event technology suppliers, Crowd Connected and Konduko have agreed a strategic partnership, designed to help exhibition organisers adopt attendee tracking and data capture solutions. Both Konduko and Crowd Connected deliver real-time and post-show insight from attendee tracking, but in different ways. Switzerland-based Konduko provides a contactless attendee engagement via QR- or NFC-engaged ‘smart badges’ and mobile phones, deploying it’s Smart Readers around an event. These enable a ‘digital handshake’ – the seamless exchange of information, for example, between an attendee and exhibitor – while simultaneously capturing intent-based activity. This is often called ‘active tracking’. The technology from UK-based Crowd Connected is embedded into mobile apps. This provides real-time intelligence that optimises and personalises the attendee experience (for example through indoor ‘blue dot’ navigation), while also delivering the data points and tools needed by event organisers for Collapse
Bizzabo become Agents of Hybrid
3 DAYS AGO - “When you cater to everyone, you cater to no one. That’s key to events as we navigate a hybrid Expand
3 DAYS AGO - “When you cater to everyone, you cater to no one. That’s key to events as we navigate a hybrid environment,” said Dara Treseder, chief marketing and communications officer at Peloton, regarding digital event platform Bizzabo’s recent hybrid event. On 13-14 July, Bizzabo, hosted its Agents of Hybrid event both virtually and in-person on in Boston, Massachusetts. The event brought together 5,000 marketing and event professionals in a global forum to explore best practices around creating unified in-person and virtual experiences. In partnership with Cramer, the live event featured hybrid event technology and offered an exclusive look at top industry leaders’ playbooks. Emmy-award-winner Katie Linendoll hosted the two-day event, bringing the virtual audience along for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the venue, as well as demonstrations of Bizzabo’s onsite check-in technology. Virtual attendees were able to ‘roll’ and ‘float’ among the in-person guests with robots, speaking with Collapse
AAXO Invites New Board Members
3 DAYS AGO - This year’s AAXO AGM, on 30 June 2021, was opened to the broader industry of associate Expand
3 DAYS AGO - This year’s AAXO AGM, on 30 June 2021, was opened to the broader industry of associate members and organiser members. All stakeholders attending had the opportunity to review the work AAXO has been intensely engaged in this past year. The team revisited the multiple hybrid events, webinars, and campaigns that the Association has initiated or... Collapse
Registration open for ITBM World’s in-person return
4 DAYS AGO - Hosted Buyer registration is now open for IBTM World 2021, a global event for the meetings and Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Hosted Buyer registration is now open for IBTM World 2021, a global event for the meetings and events industry, which will be held for the first time in a hybrid format. The IBTM World in-person event returns at Fira, Barcelona, 30 November-2 December 2021. The physical show, last held in 2019, will be followed by IBTM World Virtual, 7-9 December 2021. This year’s theme of ‘New Business, New Tech, New World’, reflects IBTM’s aim to enable meetings and events professionals to re-build and re-connect post-pandemic. IBTM World will include one-to-one business meetings between international buyers and suppliers, networking opportunities and educational content intended to provide attendees with the tools they need to develop within the industry. The Knowledge Programme will feature speakers from the meetings and events industry and beyond, exploring topics such as safety, sustainability, diversity and upskilling. There will be a separate buyer-led association and elite corporate Collapse
End of an Era: Ticketpro Dome to Close
4 DAYS AGO - It is with a heavy heart that RX Venue Management today announces that after 20 years of being the Expand
4 DAYS AGO - It is with a heavy heart that RX Venue Management today announces that after 20 years of being the management company of South Africa’s largest multipurpose indoor arena, The Ticketpro Dome has now been sold by the owners, Sasol Pension Fund, to a third party which does not operate in the event space. This is another... Collapse
Great Hotels of the World makes splash in Poland
4 DAYS AGO - Great Hotels of the World, the international hotel representation group, announced six new member Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Great Hotels of the World, the international hotel representation group, announced six new member hotels in Poland in July. Its most recent addition to the collection, PURO Warsaw, has been a member since 2019. Now the remaining six properties that make up the design-led PURO group join the collection of independent hotels. PURO Wroclaw Located just outside the Old Town in Poland’s fourth largest city, PURO Wroclaw has an outdoor terrace and garden that is connected to a riverside promenade. Its modern-day bistro offers street-food inspired meals and each of the 102 guest rooms have been recently refurbished by Blacksheep, a British Design Studio. PURO Krakow Kazimierz Located in Krakow’s art district, the architecture of the local neighbourhood is a key theme of PURO Krakow Kazimierz, which has 228 guest rooms, four meeting rooms and spacious outdoor terraces. PURO Krakow Stare Miasto PURO Krakow Stare Miasto is located a short distance from the city’s popular Market Square and Collapse
Christian group challenges WA ban on political meetings not in line with Labor government or ‘vast majority’
5 DAYS AGO - Western Australia’s (WA) government has come under fire over its policy of denying the right for Expand
5 DAYS AGO - Western Australia’s (WA) government has come under fire over its policy of denying the right for opposition political and religious groups to make meetings bookings in state-funded venues. The Perth Theatre Trust (PTT), a management organisation that runs Western Australian state-funded venues, had refused to take bookings from the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), a Canberra-based and religion-focused political advocacy group. The trust’s decision to deny the group a venue platform for freedom of speech was based on a policy announced by the Western Australian Labor party just after their re-election in March. The policy requested state-owned facilities do not accept events “where the content of the event does not represent the views of the West Australian government or the vast majority of Western Australians”. PTT later reversed its decision in the face of legal action from the lobby group. The trust controls state-funded venues including His Majesty’s Theatre, Collapse
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Ireland welcomes back UK travellers
1 DAY AGO - Aer Lingus, the national airline of Ireland, is now welcoming British customers back onboard Expand
1 DAY AGO - Aer Lingus, the national airline of Ireland, is now welcoming British customers back onboard flights between the UK and Ireland, with Ireland having opened its doors on 19 July to British travellers. Ireland is the first country in Europe where fully vaccinated British citizens can visit without the need for any Covid-19 tests into or out of the country. There will also be no requirement to self-isolate if fully vaccinated. Aer Lingus is operating 109 weekly scheduled services between the Republic and the UK. Customers will be able to fly from Heathrow to Dublin, Cork and Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland; from Manchester to Dublin and Belfast City Airport; Birmingham to Dublin and Belfast City Airport; Edinburgh to Dublin and Belfast City Airport and Glasgow to Dublin. Peter O’Neill, Aer Lingus COO, said: “We are delighted to welcome our British customers back on board now that travel restrictions have been relaxed, reconnecting friends and families that have been kept apart Collapse
Cvent merger on the cards, reports WSJ
2 DAYS AGO - Cvent has reportedly agreed a merger with a ‘special-purpose’ acquisition company in a deal that Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Cvent has reportedly agreed a merger with a ‘special-purpose’ acquisition company in a deal that would take the event technology company public. According to the Wall Street Journal, Cvent is slated to merge with Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. II in a transaction that values the private-equity-owned company at more than $5 billion including debt. Cvent, founded by Reggie Aggarwal (pictured) is currently owned by private-equity firm Vista Equity Partners, which took the company private in 2016 in a $1.65 billion deal. The maker of cloud-based event-management software currently has around 4,000 employees and more than 200,000 users worldwide. Over the past year it has become a major player in the virtual events sector, with an offering believed to be driving more than $100 million in revenue. Cvent Connect, the company’s annual user conference is due to take place from 1-4 August both online and in-person at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. It is anticipated that confirmation of the Collapse
Western Australian events receive funding boost
3 DAYS AGO - Western Australian business events will get a further boost, with Business Events Perth Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Western Australian business events will get a further boost, with Business Events Perth announcing, 21 July, a six-month extension of its Event Here Now fund. Through the fund, business event organisers planning a new business event for Western Australia can apply for sponsorship of up to AUD$15 (USD$10.97) a delegate, to a maximum of $10,000, for new in-person events. Gareth Martin, the chief executive of Business Events Perth, said feedback on the Event Here Now initiative, since it launched in August 2020, had been overwhelmingly positive, and it was important to continue to support the local industry. Martin said: “So far, Business Events Perth has supported 202 State-based events through the Event Here Now initiative and clients have told us that without this sponsorship, their events would not have been able to proceed with certainty, if at all, so we are thrilled to have made a difference. Eligible events include conferences, exhibitions or trade shows, workshops and Collapse
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau appoints new CEO
3 DAYS AGO - The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has appointed David Whitaker (pictured) Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has appointed David Whitaker (pictured) to take over as president and CEO. The appointment is effective 16 August when long-time president and CEO, William Talbert III, will step down to a supporting role before becoming a consultant for the bureau in October. Whitaker’s appointment follows a six-month nationwide search, the bureau said. Whitaker had worked for the GMCVB for 17 years, most recently working as the executive vice-president and chief marketing officer. He left Miami in 2007 to work for Toronto’s tourism marketing agency and then Chicago’s in 2016. Bruce Orosz, the GMCVB bureau chairman, said: “He’s coming home and hopes to do what he loves to do which is help this town and help this community succeed every way that he can help.” Top of Whitaker’s priority list will be filling out the calendar for the Miami Beach Convention Center, which reopened in 2018 after a three-year, USD$620m renovation. Conventions have Collapse
AWIEF Announces Call for Award Nominations for 2021
3 DAYS AGO - The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) opens the nominations for the 2021 Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) opens the nominations for the 2021 annual AWIEF Awards. Currently in its fifth edition, the prestigious AWIEF Awards recognise, honour, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa and across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to Africa’s inclusive economic growth and social development.... Collapse
Tourism NI makes three appointments to senior team
4 DAYS AGO - Tourism NI, Northern Ireland’s tourism department, has announced a slew of high-profile Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Tourism NI, Northern Ireland’s tourism department, has announced a slew of high-profile appointments to its senior team. On 1 July, David Roberts joined Tourism NI as strategic development director following eight years in the Strategy Group at Invest NI. Roberts led much of Invest NI’s work on Brexit including overseeing a package of support for businesses to help prepare for the new trading environment. In June, Ciaran Doherty joined Tourism NI as head of regions. Prior to joining Tourism NI, Doherty spent 19 years with Tourism Ireland and his most recent role focused on stakeholder engagement in Northern Ireland. In May, Lesley Ann O’Donnell took up her role as head of programmes with Tourism NI. O’Donnell joined Tourism NI in 2014 and held the post of project manager for the 148th Open at Royal Portrush, working closely with the R&A and multi-agency partners. Commenting on the recent appointments, John McGrillen, Tourism NI chief executive, said: “The appointment of David, Collapse
Confidence through collaboration
4 DAYS AGO - ICCA president James Rees sent out the following message, 19 July: Dear ICCA Colleagues, As Expand
4 DAYS AGO - ICCA president James Rees sent out the following message, 19 July: Dear ICCA Colleagues, As we reach the end of the first half of 2021, it is a natural point at which to reflect on the continuing effects of the global pandemic on our personal and working lives and on the international events industry as a whole. For a truly global industry association such as ICCA, these effects have been seen and shared by us all through our network of colleagues across all of ICCA’s sectors. With this business backdrop, the ICCA teams at our offices around the world have been creating every possible opportunity for members to stay connected and to learn from each other as we discover the experiences and successes that are being achieved and which can be applied to our own organisations. Since the start of this year, I have had the privilege of attending the many chapter meetings that have been taking place across the world and it has been inspiring to listen to, and discuss with members and Collapse
French Corrosion Society preserves 2024 conference with Palais des Congrès de Paris announcement
4 DAYS AGO - On 19 July, The French Corrosion Society (CEFRACOR), and Viparis, the Paris venue and organiser Expand
4 DAYS AGO - On 19 July, The French Corrosion Society (CEFRACOR), and Viparis, the Paris venue and organiser portfolio, have announced that the 69th edition of the European Corrosion Conference (EUROCORR) will be held at the Palais des Congrès de Paris from 1-5 September 2024. For over 60 years, this annual meeting has brought together more than a thousand international experts in corrosion and protection of materials to discuss the latest innovations in the field. The congress’s theme will be ‘Progress in awareness concerning issues related to materials degradation’. The most up-to-date scientific findings and technological developments will be presented and discussed. Delegates will come from France (30%), other European countries (40%) and the rest of the world (US, China, Japan, etc.). Philippe Marcus, director of research at the CNRS and Chimie ParisTech, and president of CEFRACOR, said: “This is the first time since our inaugural congress in 1956 that industry professionals and academics Collapse
Scotland’s Event Industry Advisory Group calls on Government for more support
5 DAYS AGO - Representatives from Scotland’s events industry have appealed to the Scottish Government to Expand
5 DAYS AGO - Representatives from Scotland’s events industry have appealed to the Scottish Government to provide further financial support. Scotland’s Event Industry Advisory Group (EIAG) has recommended an extra £40m in restart funding be made available along with a raft of other initiatives including the continuation of the Job Retention Scheme on a flexible basis from this September to March next year. EIAG warned that failure to act could cost the country its status as a world-class event destination and the sector’s associated £6bn annual visitor spend within the Scottish economy. The group has published a white paper, Event Sector Stimulus Initiatives, aimed at creating a suitable environment to allow the safe return of the country’s sector. Geoff Crow, director of events company 21CC Group, who leads the EIAG sector stimulus sub-group explains: “The sector has endured a devastating period of shutdown since March 2020. It has cost billions in lost revenue and many millions in hardship Collapse
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BCD Travel remains Platinum for sustainability
1 DAY AGO - For a second year, corporate travel management company BCD Travel has earned the special Expand
1 DAY AGO - For a second year, corporate travel management company BCD Travel has earned the special distinction of Platinum from EcoVadis, a sustainability ratings provider. The rating was gained via an independent sustainability assessment and the Platinum rating, maintains BCD’s position in the top 1% of the 75,000 companies currently assessed by EcoVadis. Sharon Dirks, director of sustainability at BCD, said: “Our second Platinum rating is a distinction that not only confirms the importance we place on sustainability within our own operations, but ensures we are the supplier of choice for companies that also place a high value on working with sustainable partners.” EcoVadis assessments consider four categories: environment, labour standards and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The EcoVadis assessment platform helped BCD prioritise its sustainability goals and show improvement year over year, resulting in an annual score increase. The company’s score increased by 27% since Collapse
Brisbane to host 2032 Olympics and Paralympics
2 DAYS AGO - Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) welcomed the IOC decision, 21 July, to award the Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) welcomed the IOC decision, 21 July, to award the 2032 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to Brisbane, Australia, with a statement saying: “Our wonderful city is set to host Australia’s third Summer Olympic Games following the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Tokyo giving the green light to the Brisbane bid. “The decision is a game changer for Brisbane and Queensland – with the state’s tourism and global profile set for a huge boost. It is the icing on the cake for Brisbane, which is currently experiencing its biggest infrastructure boom in history. “The Games are estimated to be worth AUD$8bn (USD$5.85bn) for the state of Queensland and will create up to 100,000 jobs. “Venues across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast will be used as hosts for the different events, travelling athletes, media and dignitaries. “Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and the South Bank Precinct are set to Collapse
ICCA announces deadline for Board vacancy applications
3 DAYS AGO - The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is calling for candidates interested Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is calling for candidates interested in standing for election for vacancies on its Board of Directors. Elections will take place at the ICCA General Assembly 2021. Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the General Assembly, on 11 October 2021, will be held digitally and will be accessible for all members via live online access. The deadline for candidates to come forward will be 10 August 2021, 5pm CET. The vacancies are as follows: Sectors Destination marketing – one vacancy · Alexey Kalachev comes to the end of his two-year elected term and can stand for re-election. Meetings Support – one vacancy · Jaap Bakker comes to the end of his two-year elected term and can stand for re-election. Geographical representatives Latin America – one vacancy · Diana Rodriquez has been appointed by the board of directors for a limited period and can stand for election. North America – one Collapse
Three African Entrepreneurs Win Prestigious SEED Award
3 DAYS AGO - A Botswanan company which trains farmers to use bees to stop elephants destroying their farms, a Expand
3 DAYS AGO - A Botswanan company which trains farmers to use bees to stop elephants destroying their farms, a Zambian business which promotes sustainable bee-farming, and a Malawian start-up which turns leftovers into cooking gas have won the SEED Awards for Climate Adaptation (SEED Awards). SEED was founded as part of a global partnership between the United Nations... Collapse
The Africa MICE Summit 2021 – Nominations Are Open!
3 DAYS AGO - The Africa MICE Summit 2021 was formally launched on 9th July, 2021 in a virtual launch event that Expand
3 DAYS AGO - The Africa MICE Summit 2021 was formally launched on 9th July, 2021 in a virtual launch event that brought together industry associations, MICE venues, DMOs, Media and various other stakeholders. The Summit which will be held on 8-10th September, 2021 is the leading platform for the growth & development of the business events industry in Africa. The event aims... Collapse
Similar, but different
4 DAYS AGO - Brea Carter examines three important ways to drive attendees to in-person, hybrid and virtual Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Brea Carter examines three important ways to drive attendees to in-person, hybrid and virtual events The spectator-free Tokyo Olympics are kicking off this week amid a state of emergency in Japan, face-to-face events are very much back on the cards in the UK following Freedom Day, and on the other side of the world in Australia, a large chunk of the country is in lockdown. A quick look at the state of the world right now shows us that we’re all at different stages of returning to a post-pandemic ‘normal,’ and our events are reflective of this. However, there are several marketing tactics conference and event organisers can embrace to increase their numbers, irrespective of whether the event they’re planning is virtual, hybrid or in-person. Dial up the personalisation piece From Spotify and Netflix providing curated suggestions following an analysis of our listening and viewing habits, to social ads targeting us based on our scrolling behaviours, personalisation isn’t exactly new. But Collapse
Virgin Atlantic reopens the bar as its Loft takes flight
4 DAYS AGO - As England marks a significant milestone in the lifting of the Government’s Covid-19 Expand
4 DAYS AGO - As England marks a significant milestone in the lifting of the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions, Virgin Atlantic, an internationally operating British airline, will reopen the bars on-board its aircraft for the first time in 15 months on 19 July. The airline’s social spaces, open to those travelling in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper-Class cabin, will reopen on all Green and Amber Virgin Atlantic routes across the airline’s worldwide network also on 19 July, including Antigua, Barbados and Grenada. All of Virgin Atlantic’s Upper-Class cabins have a bar space to gather, grab a drink or dine with friends. Customers travelling on Virgin Atlantic’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, will experience the airline’s latest social space concept, known as The Loft. As the largest social space in the airline’s fleet, The Loft offers a social area where customers can settle in to watch a show or their live tail-cam on the 32-inch TV. Bar options are also on board the airline’s Airbus A330 and Boeing Collapse
Malaysian events one step closer to normality
5 DAYS AGO - Malaysian CVB Business Events Sarawak reports that over 2,000 of Sarawak’s tourism and business Expand
5 DAYS AGO - Malaysian CVB Business Events Sarawak reports that over 2,000 of Sarawak’s tourism and business events industry frontliners will be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a result of the final phase of the Industrial Covid-19 Vaccination Programme which took place 15-18 July 2021 at the Association of Churches Sarawak, Kuching. Nancy Shukri, Malaysia’s minister of tourism, arts and culture, said: “The prospect of reopening Sarawak for tourism and business events is high. This is a timely development as the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MTAC) is implementing the Covid-19 Free Destination Programme which would enable main tourism and business events cities to reopen once the targeted herd immunity of 80% is achieved.” Speaking on the National Recovery Plan, Sarawak’s minister of tourism, arts and culture, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, commented: “Sarawak’s four-phase recovery roadmap includes the reopening of domestic travel activities by phase three and we have Collapse
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