2024

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European tourism draws close to pre-pandemic levels in 2023

ETC Corporate

Towards the end of 2023, European tourism continued its robust recovery, nearing pre-pandemic levels despite inflationary pressures. Across reporting destinations, foreign tourist arrivals stand at 1.6% below 2019 figures, with nights 0.6% below, showcasing a resilient travel demand across the continent – a trend which is expected to continue into 2024.

Tourism 306
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A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Marin Bright

Smart Meetings

Marin Bright often told the story of how she launched the meetings and events industry’s first lifestyle magazine in 2002, a few months after the devastating attacks on 9/11 and the downturn in the travel industry. Over 22 years, through economic recessions, a global pandemic and personal health issues, as CEO of Bright Business Media, LLC and Smart Meetings , she continued to exemplify the resiliency and grit required to build the Smart Meetings community into the most engaged in the in

MICE professionals

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ADMEI Welcomes Denise Malo, DMCP, as New Board President

ADMEI

ADMEI Welcomes Denise Malo, DMCP, as New Board President WIMBERLEY, Texas (19 March 2024) As the Destination Management industry evolves and experiences significant growth, the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) remains committed to ensuring strong leadership that represents the diversity of DMCs worldwide. In line with this commitment, ADMEI is pleased to announce the election of Denise Malo, DMCP, of BBC Events, a Global DMC Partner, as its 2024 president.

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START Summit injects innovation into Europe’s startup conference scene

The MICE Blog

START Summit offers an innovative take on entrepreneurship conferences – entirely student-run it gives a fresh perspective on Europe’s startup landscape. It’s scheduled for March 21-22, 2024, in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The history of START Summit dates back to 1997 when it was established as START Global by students from the University of St.

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COVID-19 Travel Consumer Sentiment Study

TravelBoom and sister agency, The Brandon Agency, release new consumer sentiment study on travel amidst the COVID-19 second wave

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Lessons from Anguilla on returning after four years away

Conferences that Work

After a four-year gap due to the COVID pandemic, we eagerly returned to Anguilla for a two-week vacation. We love this tiny Caribbean island and have taken a welcome break from Vermont winter for fifteen years. I have written many posts about lessons from Anguilla gleaned during our visits, and this trip uncovered more. The trip For the first time in many years, Celia and I stayed in Anguilla without company.

Retreat 133
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A Win in the Fight Against Conference Scammers

MeetingsNet

The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a rule allowing it to take scammers to court—including those who fraudulently use conference names, logos, and mailing lists—and seek financial penalties. “Advocacy works!” said Tommy Goodwin, FASAE, CAE, PMP, CMP, vice president of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, applauding both the Federal Trade Commission for finalizing an anti-impersonation fraud rule and the many business event industry organizations that advocated for it.

More Trending

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Bizzabo named a Leader in 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Event Technology Platforms

Bizzaboo

Bizzabo has been named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Event Technology Platforms. In the first-ever Magic Quadrant for event technology platforms, Gartner conducted a detailed evaluation of Bizzabo and 12 other vendors against specific criteria that analyzed the company’s overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute, based on a comprehensive survey, executive briefing, demo video, customer interviews, and Gartner Peer Insights reviews.

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40 Leading Women in the Events Industry You Should Follow in 2024.

InEvent

The events industry is a vibrant, dynamic sector that continually evolves to meet the needs of audiences and clients. From the emergence of virtual events to the rise of experiential marketing, the sector continues to evolve at breakneck speed. It is driven by innovation, creativity, and the tireless efforts of professionals who strive to deliver … Post 40 Leading Women in the Events Industry You Should Follow in 2024. showed as first in InEvent Blog.

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AIME 2024 STIMULATES $330 MILLION IN BUSINESS ACROSS THE ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY

AIME

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has today released analysis from its blockbuster 2024 show, with business traded between exhibitors and buyers estimated to be worth more than $330 million over the next 12 months – a 65% … The post AIME 2024 STIMULATES $330 MILLION IN BUSINESS ACROSS THE ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS EVENTS INDUSTRY appeared first on AIME.

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31st Travel Tour Expo set Feb 2 – 4 at SMX

Travel Daily Media

The post 31st Travel Tour Expo set Feb 2 – 4 at SMX appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD. Get your travel mode on as the 31st Travel Tour Expo (TTE) 2024 and the ninth International Travel Trade Expo 2024 will once again wow the crowd with unprecedented travel packages, on Feb. 2 to 4, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City.

Travel 108
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Evolution of the DMC:Renewing Business Relationships with Deeper Trust, Transparency & Understanding

The evolution of the DMC industry requires that it embark upon a renewed relationship with clients that is built upon transparency, trust, and understanding.

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Applications now open for the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2024

ETC Corporate

For the seventh year in a row, ETC continues its partnership with the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), Europa Nostra and the Network of European Regions for Competitive and Sustainable Tourism (NECSTouR) to encourage the development of sustainable cultural tourism practices in European destinations.

Culture 240
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A Security Flaw in Millions of Hotel Keycard Locks Has Been Found. What Does that Mean for Planners?

Smart Meetings

How planners can safeguard their attendees against hotel room breaches In 2022, at a private event in Las Vegas during “hacker summer camp,” as the Black Hat and Defcon hacker conferences have come to be known, a group of researchers found a flaw that could put millions of hotel rooms around the world at risk of being breached. Security researcher Lennert Wouters, Seats.aero flight awards search tool founder Ian Carroll and a team of researchers have just recently come out with the news of what

Planner 252
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Reflections on ADMEI 2024 Annual Conference: “In the Zone”

ADMEI

Reflections on ADMEI 2024 Annual Conference: “In the Zone” 20 March 2024 The 2024 ADMEI Annual Conference, aptly themed "In the Zone," delivered a powerful punch of education, networking, and industry insights for Destination Management Companies (DMCs) worldwide. As the only DMC-tailored conference and awards experience in the world, this unique experience is one worthy of a 7+ hour flight.

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What is service excellence? The service excellence definition for 2024

EHL Insights

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a time when excellent service was the hallmark of a luxury experience – one that was desired by the people and delivered by the best of companies. Today, it is an aspect of the service sector that has come to be expected by customers. Companies in the service industry have claimed their adherence to the words ‘service excellence’ since time immemorial.

Culture 98
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Concerns about using facial analysis at events: part two

Conferences that Work

My January 15, 2024 article “ Concerns about using facial analysis at events ” generated much discussion. (See, e.g., this thread on LinkedIn which has, at the time of writing, four thousand impressions.) Five days later, Panos Moutafis , co-founder & CEO of Zenus , the “ethical facial analysis” company, responded. I find his response inadequate, and this post explains why.

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Which Burnout Is Yours: Overloaded, Under-Challenged, or Neglected?

MeetingsNet

Not all job burnout is the same. Understanding the nature of your work-related stress is an important step to dealing with it. It’s no secret that business-event planning means managing multiple tasks on tight deadlines, while unforeseen challenges are par for the course along with long hours on site. On top of that, expectations are high, budgets are often tight, technologies are constantly changing, and the results of the work—the quality of the meeting—are on display for everyone to critique.

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Why Organizations Are Choosing to Meet in Controversial Destinations

Convene by PCMA

Organizations have been shifting away from boycotting, banning, or canceling their events in controversial destinations, and shining a spotlight on the issues. In 2023, proposed and enacted laws targeting the rights of minority populations swept the U.S. in record-breaking numbers. According to the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, more anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state houses last year than in

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Klik wearable event technology drives 400% increase in exhibitor leads

Bizzaboo

New research demonstrates Bizzabo SmartBadge™ advantages over traditional name badges New York, NY – Bizzabo, the Event Experience Operating System (OS), today announced groundbreaking data demonstrating the impact of Klik wearable event technology on lead generation, attendee networking, and event engagement compared to traditional name badges and lead capture methods.

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The Evolution of The Super Bowl Halftime Show: Then vs. Now

InEvent

Image by CBS news The Super Bowl Halftime Show has evolved from a simple intermission entertainment into a global spectacle that commands the attention of millions worldwide. What started as a modest showcase featuring university marching bands and basic performances has transformed into a must-see event that rivals the game itself in anticipation and spectacle. … Post The Evolution of The Super Bowl Halftime Show: Then vs.

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Fabulous Food Driven Events

AIME

Fresh off the back of AIME’s 2024 Welcome Party, event partner and Grazeland Director John Forman explores the power of food in networking. Networking made easy Networking is not just about exchanging business cards and attending conferences; it’s about connecting … The post Fabulous Food Driven Events appeared first on AIME.

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When Tragedy Strikes at Events

Skift Meetings

Skift Take: The CEO of the software company Vistex died after falling 20 feet to the stage with approximately 700 members of his team watching. Accidents happen. Do you have contingency plans in place?

Events 102
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Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2024 opens for registration

Travel Daily Media

The post Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2024 opens for registration appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD. Thailand’s leading B2B travel industry show, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2024, is scheduled to be held on 5-7 June at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa in Khao Lak, Phang-nga. Online registrations for buyers and sellers will open on 9 February.

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Why It’s Time to Get Serious About AI for Events

Smart Meetings

Event tech native Nick Borelli: AI will remove the drag stuff so you can produce A+ events Nick Borelli, director of marketing for the ethical facial analytics company Zenus Inc., has good news for meeting professionals. AI is not just one more thing they have to learn to do their jobs. “It is actually a tool that will get some of that ‘drag stuff’ out of the way to focus on the things that you really want to do, the reason you got into the events industry in the first place,” he explained at Sm

Events 271
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Unpacking Sustainable Tourism Certifications – What do they mean and are they effective?

Solimar International

Sustainable Tourism Certification: Steps and Benefits In this modern era, where responsible travel is becoming more popular, the way we travel is changing significantly. Travelers are increasingly looking for authentic experiences that not only satisfy their desire to explore but also have a positive impact on the places they visit. This shift in traveler behavior is closely linked to the growing awareness of global environmental and social issues.

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10 hospitality trends for 2024: Crafting tomorrow's experiences today!

EHL Insights

As a testament to its resilience, agility and innovative spirit, this article reflects today’s increasingly dynamic hospitality industry in terms of its long, medium and short-term evolution. Best-selling author, Will Guidara , claims “We are entering into a hospitality economy” – suggesting that what underpins the essence of hospitality, (service excellence, human interaction, personalization and the co-creation of memorable experiences), is actually what many sectors of industry are desperatel

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DePauw University Oman Study Trip Jan 2024

Panorama Travel

WE OPEN THE DOORS FOR UNIQUE STUDY EXPERIENCES We were pleased at Panorama Travel to organize the first DePauw University Oman Study Trip Jan 2024. The two-week study trip in the Sultanate included the capital, Muscat, Nizwa, Sur, the Empty Quarter desert, and Dhofar. It also included many experiences at tourist sites, visits to academic institutions, and meetings with Omani figures & exploring Oman culture and traditions.

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Speaker Trends for This Year’s Business Events

MeetingsNet

Economic, cultural, and technological issues are impacting who makes it onto the podium at meeting and conventions. The Speaking Industry Benchmark Report produced by AAE Speakers Bureau compiles data from both event organizers and keynote speakers to better understand the issues and trends affecting the speaker-booking process. While the full 2024 report will be released on March 26th, Jennifer Best, vice president of marketing at AAE, shared some early data from this year’s survey results with

Speakers 107
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How AI Could Help Build Better Meeting Spaces — Online and IRL

Convene by PCMA

MidJourney created this “timber pavilion in nature” from prompts written by Digital Media Editor Magdalina Atanassova. The recently published “The Future 100: 2024” report identifies 100 trends across industries — from culture to technology to travel and hospitality — that will shape the way people live and work this year and beyond. Each year, editors from VML Intelligence, the futurism, research, and innovation unit of global creative agency VML, offer thought-provoking observations for the an

Online 119
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The Art of Name Badge Design: A Guide with Templates

Bizzaboo

Name badges play a crucial role in unforgettable and meaningful event experiences. Whether attendees find themselves at conferences, corporate events, or gatherings, name badges make it easier to network with other folks, promoting engagement and communication. Name badges also boost event security since they often include barcodes or RFID chips that help control access to certain areas of the event venue.

Sponsors 103
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Ultimate Guide to Planning Unforgettable Black Culture Celebrations

InEvent

Source: Freepik As an innovative leader in event management, we’ve always believed in the power of culture to bring people together. There’s something truly magical about celebrating and embracing our heritage, and when it comes to planning black culture celebrations, the possibilities are endless. Afrocentric event planning is not just about throwing a party; it’s … Post Ultimate Guide to Planning Unforgettable Black Culture Celebrations showed as first in InEvent Blog.

Culture 98
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Enhancing Venue Sales with MeetingPackage's OSEM Integration

Meeting Package

Oracle's OSEM has long been a forerunner in the event management software arena, providing comprehensive tools for streamlined planning, execution, and analysis, thus fostering data-driven decisions and enhancing operational efficiency across various venues globally.

Venue 90
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New FTC Rule Addresses Common Event Scams

Skift Meetings

Skift Take: A new ruling by the Federal Trade Commission targets scammers seeking to rip off the business events industry, paving the way for direct monetary compensation from bad actors.

Events 98
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Dhai Dubai: Stunning new light art festival featuring world-class lineup launches at Expo City Dubai

Travel Daily Media

The post Dhai Dubai: Stunning new light art festival featuring world-class lineup launches at Expo City Dubai appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD. Dhai Dubai – Festival of Lights Opening day at Al Wasl Plaza., Suneesh Sudhakaran, Expo City Dubai. Dhai Dubai, the first-ever Emirati-led light art festival, has launched its illuminating 10-day programme at Expo City Dubai.

Culture 95
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What One Thing? From Order-Taker to Strategist: Navigating the World of Event Planning with Edward Perotti

Smart Meetings

Get ready to change everything about how you think about your job! On this episode of What One Thing? JT Long, vice president and content director of Smart Meetings, has an insightful conversation with Edward Perotti, an award-winning meeting designer and principle of EP Events and Experiences. With over 27 years of experience, Perotti shares valuable insights on transitioning from being an order-taker to a strategic leader in the events industry.

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WEC will stimulate your mind and touch your heart

MPI

Through the power of music, Felipe Gomez, keynote speaker for MPI’s WEC 2024, leads audiences through a journey of the body, mind and soul of leadership.

Speakers 102