Yiannis Papachristou; Iro Hatzigeorgiou, Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Public Properties Company (HPPC); Dr. Senthil Gopinath; Andreas Mavromatis, Chief Executive Officer, TIF-HELEXPO; and Dr. Athanasios T. Bikas, Chief Executive Officer, Corinth Canal S.A. (AEDIK).

Greece has taken a significant step towards strengthening its position in the global meetings and exhibitions market after the Hellenic Growth Fund and ICCA signed a strategic partnership designed to support infrastructure development, attract international events and unlock long-term economic value.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Growthfund Investor Summit 2026 in Athens by Hellenic Growth Fund Chief Executive Officer Yiannis Papachristou and ICCA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Senthil Gopinath, in the presence of representatives from government, business and international organisations.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration aimed at enhancing Greece’s competitiveness as a destination for conferences, exhibitions and business events. Through the partnership, Greece will gain access to international expertise, global industry networks and benchmarking tools, while also benefiting from knowledge exchange, training initiatives and increased international visibility.

The initiative aligns closely with several strategic assets and development projects managed by Hellenic Growth Fund and its subsidiaries, including HELEXPO–Thessaloniki International Exhibition (TIF-HELEXPO), the Public Properties Company (ETAD) and Corinth Canal S.A. (AEDIK). Together, these assets are expected to play a central role in supporting the continued development of the country’s meetings and exhibitions ecosystem.

Beyond attracting major international events, the collaboration is intended to support the modernisation of existing infrastructure and position business events as a driver of investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
 

Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, and Yiannis Papachristou, CEO, Hellenic Growth Fund, the National Fund of Greece, sign the MoU in Athens on 22 June.

The two-year agreement forms part of Hellenic Growth Fund’s wider strategy to expand Greece’s international reach and maximise the long-term value of public assets through targeted development initiatives.

Yiannis Papachristou, Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Growth Fund, stated: "Our collaboration with ICCA reflects Hellenic Growth Fund’s strategic approach to creating long-term value through the development-oriented utilisation of public assets.

Strengthening Greece’s position on the international meetings and exhibitions map is not only about tourism; it is also about the country’s ability to attract investment, business activity, and international partnerships. Through this collaboration, we are creating the conditions for key infrastructure and destinations to unlock even greater potential, contributing to the internationalisation and sustainable growth of the Greek economy."

Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said: “Business events are one of the most powerful, yet often under-recognised, levers for economic and societal advancement. This partnership is not only about strengthening Greece’s position in the global meetings market — it is about advocating for the role our industry plays in connecting knowledge, driving innovation, and creating lasting impact.

By working alongside Hellenic Growth Fund, we are supporting a more integrated approach where business events are aligned with national priorities, helping destinations unlock long-term value for their communities.”

The partnership reflects a growing recognition of business events as strategic economic development tools capable of attracting investment, facilitating knowledge exchange and supporting national priorities. For Greece, the agreement represents a coordinated effort to leverage its infrastructure, public assets and international profile to compete more effectively in the global meetings industry.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Aberdeen has strengthened its position as a leading international destination for knowledge-led events after welcoming more than 6,000 delegates to the 87th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition, generating an estimated £13.2 (€15.2) million economic impact for the city.

Held at P&J Live from 8–11 June 2026, with associated activities extending across six days, the event brought together geoscientists, engineers, academics, industry leaders, innovators, exhibitors and students from around the world. Organised by the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the conference featured more than 200 exhibitors and over 1,400 presentations under the theme Maximising Value Through Technology and Partnership.

The event placed Aberdeen alongside a distinguished list of previous host destinations including Vienna, London, Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen and Amsterdam, further demonstrating the city's ability to attract and deliver major international conferences at scale.

For P&J Live and the wider destination, EAGE Annual 2026 highlighted Aberdeen's growing appeal as a global meeting place for sectors undergoing rapid transformation. While the city has long been recognised as Europe's energy capital, it is increasingly building its profile around renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon capture, digital innovation and the transition to net zero, creating a compelling environment for international conferences focused on science, technology and industry.

Beyond its economic contribution, the conference delivered a strong educational and community legacy. An EAGE Outreach Day engaged more than 200 pupils from 11 schools in interactive sessions exploring careers in geoscience and engineering, helping to connect future generations with opportunities across the energy, science and technology sectors.

The benefits were also felt across Aberdeen's visitor economy, with hotels operating at near-full capacity and increased demand reported by restaurants, bars, transport providers and local suppliers. The event additionally generated 5,500 hours of work for casual staff supporting the build, live delivery and breakdown phases, underlining the wider employment value created by major business events.

Steve Daun, head of sales, Associations, Legends Global, said: “EAGE Annual 2026 has been an outstanding success for P&J Live, Aberdeen and the wider region. To welcome more than 6,000 participants, 200 exhibitors and a programme of more than 1,400 presentations demonstrates the scale of what was delivered and the strength of the partnership behind it.
 

“This was a truly global event, and P&J Live provided the platform for a complex, multi-layered programme that combined conference sessions, exhibition activity, technical content, networking, education and offsite experiences. It is exactly the kind of large-scale international event the venue was built to host."

Professor John Underhill, Aberdeen University's Interdisciplinary Director for Energy Transition, University of Aberdeen, and member of the local advisory committee, said: “Aberdeen was a natural home for EAGE because this is a city where geoscience, engineering and energy expertise are part of everyday life. The conference themes included extending, translating and repurposing basins like the North Sea for the energy transition through the application of new technologies, are directly connected to the research, industry partnerships and skills base that exist here.

“Bringing EAGE to Aberdeen was an opportunity to showcase that expertise to a global audience, while also creating a meaningful legacy through field trips, outreach and engagement with young people. It has been hugely rewarding to see the academic community, industry, P&J Live and the wider destination work together to deliver an event of this scale and quality.”

Laura Wilson, Head of Aberdeen Convention Bureau, added: “EAGE Annual 2026 is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the whole destination works together. Aberdeen Convention Bureau, P&J Live, the city’s academic and industry partners, hotels and local stakeholders all played a role in presenting Aberdeen as the right home for this event.

“The result was a conference that delivered immediate economic value and long-term destination profile. Business events are high-value, highly measurable forms of tourism, and EAGE has shown how they can support the visitor economy while also strengthening Aberdeen’s reputation in priority sectors."

Marcus Arthur, Strategic Project Manager at EAGE, said: “Aberdeen proved to be an excellent host city for EAGE Annual 2026. The event brought together our global community in a destination that understands the sector, reflects the theme of the conference and offers a strong connection between the traditional oil and gas industry and the emerging renewables and decarbonisation sectors.

“From the exhibition and technical presentations to the field trips, outreach activity and wider networking, the programme benefited from being in a city with such deep energy, engineering and geoscience expertise.”

The success of EAGE Annual 2026 adds to growing momentum for Aberdeen as a destination for major international events spanning energy, health, life sciences, agrifood, science communication and civic debate. It also reinforces P&J Live's reputation as a venue capable of delivering large-scale conferences and exhibitions for global audiences while generating measurable economic, educational and sectoral impact.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

The Asia Pacific Society of Association Executives (APSAE) has announced a new Knowledge Partnership with the Union of International Associations (UIA), reinforcing its commitment to building a stronger, more connected association community across the Asia-Pacific region.

The partnership marks a significant milestone as APSAE prepares for its official launch at the APSAE Summit 2026, taking place on 24–25 July 2026 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. It reflects a shared vision to advance collaboration, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen ties between regional and global association leaders.

Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Brussels, the Union of International Associations is widely recognised as one of the world's leading independent sources of information on international associations and global civil society. Through its extensive research, databases and documentation of international organisations and meetings, UIA has served for more than a century as a trusted knowledge hub for the global association sector.

As the only regional platform dedicated to bringing together association leaders from across Asia-Pacific, APSAE aims to foster collaboration, leadership development and knowledge-sharing across the sector. Established as a neutral, non-profit initiative, APSAE seeks to create a stronger ecosystem for associations, industry partners and knowledge institutions throughout the region.

Prasant Saha (right side), President, APSAE, said: "The launch of APSAE is about creating a stronger and more connected association community across Asia-Pacific. Partnering with UIA, an institution with over a century of knowledge and insight into the global association ecosystem, adds immense value and credibility to this journey. Together, we hope to create stronger bridges between regional and international association leaders."

Cyril Ritchie, President, UIA, said: "For more than a century, UIA has been committed to documenting, supporting, and connecting international associations worldwide. We see significant potential in the Asia-Pacific region, and APSAE represents an important platform for bringing leaders together, strengthening collaboration, and advancing the role of associations in addressing regional and global challenges."

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for APSAE as it prepares to formally launch during APSAE Summit 2026 in Singapore. The summit will convene senior association executives, strategic partners and thought leaders from across Asia-Pacific to explore emerging opportunities, address shared challenges and help shape the future of the association sector.

Association leaders from across the region are invited to take part in this founding moment by attending APSAE Summit 2026 and becoming Founding Members of APSAE. Register for APSAE Summit 2026 here

The Asia Pacific Society of Association Executives (APSAE) is a neutral, non-profit platform connecting association leaders, partners and knowledge institutions across the region. Its mission is to strengthen the association ecosystem through collaboration, education and leadership development.
 

Don't miss our exclusive interview with Prasant Saha in the upcoming July issue
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Euskalduna, in Bilbao, the venue for the 2026 AIPC Conference © All photos courtesy of Euskalduna Bilbao

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the business events landscape, the industry faces an important question: how can technology enhance, rather than replace, meaningful human connection?

Ahead of the AIPC Annual Conference in Bilbao (28 June – 1 July), Sven Bossu, CEO of AIPC, explores how convention centres and event organisers can use emerging technologies to create more personalised, relevant and impactful experiences while responding to a growing need for community, trust and face-to-face engagement.

His opinion piece sets the stage for a conference that will bring together 170 venue leaders from around the world to discuss the future of events in an increasingly digital age.

Technology, specifically AI, seems to be right, left and centre, with new developments happening on an almost daily business. And while this will of course impact the event industry, it is my believe that the human aspects of what we do will only become more important. And while it sound like a contradiction, it actually technology which will allow us to do so.

At every event meeting gathering, there were presentations on AI and what it can bring to our industry. If you look specifically at the AIPC Community of convention centers, there is indeed a lot of potential: from robots doing back-of-house deliveries like in Marina Bay Sands to the use of chatbots to deal faster with customer queries. However, at the end, convention centers and the events they host are about connecting people and there is a real need for that. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted loneliness as a major global public health issue, indicating that about 1 in 6 people worldwide are affected. People want to be part of a community, but seem to have “forgotten” how to do so.

This is driven by cultural shifts, changing social norms and the use of technology, which impacted the way we connect. Both my children are GenZ, so I witness firsthand how very differently they connect and network. Phones are no longer used to actually call and talk to each other, but are used to send messages, connect to (digital) communities which reflect their values and find content which is perceived as relevant to them, resulting in a high degree of personalisation. Spontaneous connections, like while waiting in the queue for a coffee, are far less likely to happen.
 

So how can this be addressed? In my view, it is actually the use of technology which will allow to reconnect persons in a physical setting, like a business events meeting. But is does mean that we will need to do a number of things differently.

It will all start with the registration, which will become the true engine of the human connectivity at the event. Instead of just asking for name, title and company, far more data will be collected on the objectives and wishes of the delegates. What do you want to achieve? How do you like to network? Which type of people would you like to meet? This dataset will be cross referenced with publicly available data, allowing to create a highly personalised journey, both at the level of the content and the level of the networking, moving away from a mass agendas. But technology will allow to take it one step further and compare the expected behavior of the delegates with the actual behavior on a life basis, allowing to adjust almost instantly in case of discrepancies.

Will this take away the serendipity, which every event afficionado thinks so highly about? Potentially. Does this re-enforce the echo-chamber effect, whereby we only connect with persons who think just like us? There will be a certain degree of that.  But at the end, all what this technology will do is support people to learn, share and connect in the way they want and with whom they want, cutting through the noise and getting the maximum value out of the event.

This upcoming generation, the likes of my children, want a different value proposition from events, simply because of the way they have grown up in a digital way. They want to be in charge of what content they consume, how they consume it and who they connect with and at the same time want to be offered easy and curated ways of doing so. 
 

So while the robots and the chatbots will of course bring efficiency, the same technology will also allow the address the very human need to connect and be part of a community of real persons, seeing each other in the eye and sharing real experiences.

The impact of these changes on event organisers and convention centers is not to be underestimated. It will require investment in technology and in people and we will not get it right the first time. But in times where trust is decreasing, physical events offer an unique haven for people to reconnect with their truly human side.

This will also be the leading theme of the AIPC Annual Conference Bilboa (28 June – July 1st) – hope to see you there! We have amazing speakers lined up, both from the event industry and outside, and the Bilbao team will make sure you will have an amazing experience.  And most importantly: we will have 170 convention center leaders under one roof for 3 days – magic is bound to happen.
 

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In recent years, Dublin has been quietly redefining the role international conferences can play within its borders. Rather than viewing them solely through an economic lens, the city and its partners increasingly approach business events as platforms for long-term societal impact, opportunities to advance research, influence policy conversations and drive meaningful change within communities.

Few gatherings illustrate this shift more clearly than the Autism Europe Congress 2025, organised by Autism-Europe in partnership with Ireland’s autism charity AsIAm and its founder and conference ambassador, Adam Harris. Bringing together almost 2,000 delegates from across Europe and beyond, the congress was designed not only as a forum for research and policy exchange, but also as a catalyst for change in how cities approach inclusive event design and community engagement.

For Dublin, the event aligned with a broader ambition: becoming the world’s first autism-friendly capital city. As Paul Mockler (pictured on the right), Head of Business Development at Fáilte Ireland, explains: “From a destination perspective, our vision of success stretches far beyond the delegates who came to Dublin for the Congress. It was a milestone, an example of a large-scale business event that was genuinely inclusive, where every attendee felt equal, valued and respected.”

More importantly, the congress was never intended as a one-off moment. “For Dublin, the congress was not the end goal. It was the catalyst. It created a ripple and real success is when that ripple grows stronger and more visible over time,” he adds. This approach reflects a wider shift in the global meetings industry, where destinations are increasingly measured not only by infrastructure or visitor numbers but by their ability to generate meaningful legacy.
 

Aligning Events with National Strategy

Dublin’s approach to impact-driven events is closely aligned with Ireland’s business events strategy, Business Events 2030, which was developed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland, Tourism Ireland and industry stakeholders. Through the Business Events 2030 strategy, Ireland is positioning conferences as tools to contribute to innovation, knowledge exchange and societal progress. The strategy emphasises three interconnected principles: transformation, sustainability and community.

Within the strategy, events are increasingly expected to deliver benefits beyond the conference room, supporting research collaboration, influencing policy discussions and engaging local communities. According to Mockler, the Autism Europe Congress 2025 quickly emerged as an event capable of delivering this broader impact. “At the time, Fáilte Ireland was beginning its journey to understand the wider impact conferences could have beyond tourism. They were actively seeking events capable of leaving a lasting legacy, and the Autism Europe Congress stood out.”
 

The congress also became an opportunity to deepen Ireland’s evolving framework around intentional impact, placing value above volume, engaging sectoral, scientific and academic communities, and leveraging business events as instruments of public policy. “Fáilte Ireland deepened this partnership by working with AsIAam on an intentional impact report to define, measure and amplify the event’s impact. The Congress has left a significant mark on Dublin, Ireland and beyond,” says Mockler. Soon after, the congress received the Incredible Impacts Seed Grant Fund 2025, awarded by ICCA and the BestCities Global Alliance, reflecting the growing commitment of all parties involved in the conference to more accessible and inclusive tourism.

Designing the Congress with Legacy in Mind

From the earliest stages of planning, inclusion was embedded into the congress design with the goal of ensuring an accessible experience for all. “A dedicated accessibility and inclusivity team, including representatives with lived experience, worked alongside Keynote PCO, venue and partners to implement a comprehensive suite of measures and solutions,” says Mockler. One key resource was a set of Business Access Checklists developed by Fáilte Ireland. “The checklists help organisers and venues assess how inclusive and accessible an event is and identify practical changes, from pre-travel information to customer service, that allow delegates to fully participate in the event experience,” Mockler describes.

At venue level, several measures were implemented to support delegates. These included pre-event sensory walkthroughs of the venue, visual guides, technology, pre-event videos to reduce uncertainty, and the option of a quiet registration process. A dedicated quiet room and mobile sensory spaces were also available throughout the event. To minimise sensory overload, delegates were encouraged to flappause, waving their hands instead of clapping. “Many autistic staff and volunteers worked at the Congress, ensuring that autistic delegates felt represented and were right at the heart of the process,” he adds.

Co-Creation with the Autistic Community

Right from inception, the event embodied a profound commitment to co-creation with the autistic community. AsIAm became the first autistic-led organisation to host the congress, reflecting the lived experiences and expertise of autistic individuals under the theme Quality of Life – Research, Policy and Practice. “The strategy was to place autistic voices at the heart of every stage of planning and delivery, from a majority scientific committee and speaker line-up to clear guidelines for all contributors to ensure autism-affirming content,” explains Mockler.

Through a collaborative workshop, stakeholders identified three key impact pathways for the event: inclusive event design, employment and public awareness. The outcomes demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. Post-event surveys showed that 73% of delegates said pre-event information reduced uncertainty, 71% felt organisers had considered sensory differences, and many reported feeling less pressure to mask autistic traits while attending.
 

Beyond the Event: Structural Impact

Beyond the congress itself, the initiative helped catalyse broader discussions on policy, employment and workforce training. One key milestone was the launch of the Inclusive Employment Roadmap by IBEC, Ireland’s largest business representative group, complementing an employment advocacy pathway aimed at advancing opportunities for autistic individuals. “The roadmap has become a catalyst for change, inspiring organisations to adopt more inclusive hiring practices and shaping policy conversations across the sector,” Mockler says.

In 2023, Dublin City Council announced its partnership with AsIAm to adopt the Autism-Friendly Town framework, encouraging collaboration across local authorities, hospitality providers, cultural venues and institutional partners. “The Autism Europe Congress served as a powerful platform to showcase Dublin’s vision to an audience of 1800 international delegates,” Mockler states. By linking community sectors with shared goals, it creates towns where autistic individuals can thrive, participate, and feel genuinely welcome.

Meanwhile, inclusive planning practices developed for the congress are being shared with future conference organisers. Mockler believes the long-term ambition is clear. “Five years from now, we envision Dublin being recognised internationally as a destination where inclusive event design is the default, not an add-on.” Achieving that vision will require continued investment and collaboration across the industry, with more inclusive venues, trained industry partners and accessibility standards. “Success is when Ireland is known globally as a leader, not a learner.”

“As we continue to develop this vision, it is these stories of innovation, experimentation and shared responsibility that will define Dublin’s future in inclusive business events,” Mockler concludes. And if the Autism Europe Congress 2025 proved anything, it is that a single event, when planned with purpose, can set off a ripple effect capable of transforming an entire destination.
 

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Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) has appointed sustainability specialist Johanna Fuhlendorf as its new Programme Director, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the global initiative as it enters its next phase of development.

The appointment is the first dedicated leadership role created specifically for NZCE since its launch in 2021 and reflects the growing scale, complexity and global reach of the programme, which now brings together more than 700 organisations across 61 countries committed to reducing the environmental impact of business events.

Fuhlendorf is no stranger to the initiative. Through her previous role at sustainability consultancy Greenview — NZCE's technical partner — she has been closely involved in some of the programme's most important developments, including the creation of its Measurement Methodology and broader efforts to improve sustainability reporting and accountability across the industry.

A new phase for the initiative

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for NZCE as the organisation expands its work on carbon measurement, reporting frameworks, validation processes, education and industry-wide collaboration.

"Since its launch, Net Zero Carbon Events has grown into a truly global movement, bringing together hundreds of organisations committed to climate action," said James Rees, President of JMIC. "Johanna has already contributed significantly to many of the initiative's most important milestones as part of her previous professional role at Greenview, the initiative’s technical partner. Her appointment provides both continuity and renewed momentum at a time when the industry is increasingly looking to NZCE for guidance, collaboration, and measurable progress."

Industry leaders say the creation of a dedicated programme leadership role reflects the increasing importance of coordinated action as organisations across the meetings and events sector work towards net zero commitments.

"As the initiative continues to grow in scale and complexity, having dedicated programme leadership becomes essential," said Dorian Kronenwerth, Executive Director of JMIC. "Johanna brings a unique combination of technical expertise, industry knowledge, and institutional understanding that will help strengthen NZCE's impact and ensure the initiative continues to deliver practical value to its signatories and the wider industry."

From strategy to implementation

For Fuhlendorf, the appointment represents an opportunity to help move the initiative from framework development towards broader implementation and measurable results.

Over the past three years, NZCE has established common methodologies and guidance designed to help organisations across the business events ecosystem measure, report and reduce emissions. The next challenge, according to many industry observers, will be ensuring consistent adoption and practical implementation across the sector.

"I am honoured to take on the role of Programme Director for Net Zero Carbon Events," said Johanna Fuhlendorf. "Having worked alongside the initiative for several years, I have seen first-hand the commitment, expertise, and collaboration across our industry. The foundations have been established, and we are now entering a phase where implementation becomes increasingly important. I look forward to working closely with our signatories, partners, and other stakeholders around the world to help turn ambition into measurable action."

Sustainability expertise

Before joining NZCE, Fuhlendorf worked at Greenview, where she supported sustainability strategy development and implementation across the hospitality and events sectors.

Earlier in her career, she worked with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), contributing to sustainability initiatives in both the tourism and textile industries, including stakeholder engagement and education activities for the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hotel and Event Management from Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg and a master's degree in Tourism and Sustainability from Linnæus University in Kalmar, Sweden.

Growing global influence

Hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), NZCE was established to provide a common framework for climate action across the global business events industry. Its work includes developing measurement methodologies, reporting mechanisms, educational programmes and collaborative initiatives designed to accelerate progress towards net zero emissions.

With more than 700 supporting organisations worldwide and increasing pressure on the events industry to demonstrate measurable sustainability progress, the appointment of a dedicated Programme Director signals NZCE's intention to strengthen its leadership role in shaping the sector's transition to a lower-carbon future.
 

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The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) has unveiled a new Bonded Warehouse service, becoming the first exhibition and convention venue in central Bangkok to offer the facility and further strengthening Thailand’s position as a leading destination for international exhibitions and business events.

The new service is designed to simplify the temporary import process for exhibitors and organisers participating in international events, reducing administrative burdens while streamlining logistics operations.

A Bonded Warehouse is a customs-controlled facility that allows imported goods to be stored and used for exhibitions and events without the need for import duty guarantees or ATA Carnet documentation. The system significantly reduces paperwork and customs procedures, enabling exhibitors to move products more efficiently while lowering operational complexity.

The launch represents another step in QSNCC’s strategy to develop a fully integrated event ecosystem, combining venue infrastructure with specialist logistics services and international event support.

Strengthening event logistics in Bangkok

To manage the facility, QSNCC has appointed APT Showfreight (Thailand) Ltd., part of the APT Showfreight & Logistics Group, one of Asia’s leading exhibition and event logistics providers.

With almost two decades of experience supporting international exhibitions and events, the company operates across multiple Asian markets, including Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and China, where it maintains offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen and Shenzhen.

As Bonded Warehouse Manager, APT will oversee customs clearance, import and export handling, storage and direct delivery of goods to exhibition halls, providing exhibitors with a single logistics solution.

The addition of the service is expected to be particularly valuable for international organisers seeking efficient access to a venue located in the heart of Bangkok's business district, with direct connections to hotels, transport networks and commercial facilities.
 

Supporting Thailand’s competitiveness

According to QSNCC, the introduction of the Bonded Warehouse responds to growing demand from organisers for destinations that can offer not only world-class venues but also robust supporting infrastructure.

Surapol Utintu, Chief Executive Officer of Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, said, “The Bonded Warehouse is more than just a new service for organisers and exhibitors. It is an important piece of Thailand’s international exhibition and event ecosystem. Today, organisers are looking not only at venue quality but also at the strength of the supporting infrastructure that enables smooth and efficient event operations.”

“We believe this development will further strengthen Thailand’s ability to host international exhibitions and events while enhancing confidence among organisers and exhibitors worldwide who choose Thailand as their event destination.”

The initiative is expected to strengthen Thailand's competitiveness in attracting large-scale international exhibitions, particularly those requiring complex logistics operations and temporary imports.

Major events already set to benefit

Industry demand for the new service is already evident, with several major exhibitions planning to utilise the Bonded Warehouse over the coming months.

These include Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026 and Thai Water 2026 in July, CPHI Southeast Asia 2026, Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026, the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair and Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2027.

Suthichai Techanarungroj, Regional Director of APT Showfreight & Logistics Group, said, “We are honored to be entrusted as the Bonded Warehouse Manager for QSNCC. Through our extensive experience in exhibition and event logistics, we have seen that organisers increasingly value both venue quality and reliable logistics support.”

“The Bonded Warehouse is a key component in improving logistics efficiency for international exhibitions and events. Several major events are already planning to utilise the service, including Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026 and Thai Water 2026 (July 1–3, 2026), CPHI Southeast Asia 2026 (July 8–10, 2026), Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026 (August 19–22, 2026), Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (September 8–12, 2026), and Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2027 (May 17–20, 2027). This reflects the growing demand for support systems that help streamline operations and improve flexibility for event organisers.”
 

Building a complete events ecosystem

The launch of the Bonded Warehouse forms part of a broader effort by QSNCC to create a comprehensive support infrastructure for international exhibitions and conventions.

By integrating venue facilities, logistics services and specialist event support within a single ecosystem, QSNCC aims to make Bangkok an even more attractive proposition for global organisers and exhibitors.

As competition between destinations intensifies across the Asia-Pacific meetings and exhibitions market, investments in logistics and operational efficiency are increasingly becoming key differentiators. With the introduction of the Bonded Warehouse, QSNCC is positioning itself at the forefront of that trend while reinforcing Thailand’s ambitions as a leading global MICE destination.
 

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New hotels, major venue upgrades, immersive event spaces and a growing number of sustainability certifications are reinforcing Alsace's position as one of France's most dynamic business events destinations.

Across Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse, significant investments are reshaping the region's meetings and events landscape, with a particular focus on sustainability, experiential formats and enhanced delegate experiences. From internationally recognised convention infrastructure to innovative hospitality concepts and heritage venues, Alsace continues to evolve its offer to meet changing expectations from event organisers and delegates alike.

Strasbourg strengthens its international congress credentials

As Alsace's leading MICE destination, Strasbourg continues to build on its reputation as a major European congress hub.

The city's flagship venue, the Palais des Congrès & Parc des Expositions Strasbourg Events (the Strasbourg Convention Centre & Exhibition Park), is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and was recently named France's Best Convention Centre for the third time at the World MICE Awards.

The destination has also improved its position in ICCA rankings, now placing fourth among French congress cities outside Paris. Congresses currently account for around 50% of the city's event industry revenue, with international events representing approximately 20% of that business.

Strasbourg's event infrastructure now encompasses 70,000 square metres of venue space, supported by 10,700 hotel rooms across the city.

The accommodation offer continues to expand. Following the opening of the 85-room Ibis Styles République, located between the European Institutions and the city centre, further capacity will be added with the launch of the new l'hôtel TRIBE opposite Strasbourg railway station in September 2026. The property will feature 68 rooms, a bar, fitness facilities and a 40m² meeting room.

The city is also diversifying its event venue portfolio. Newly developed spaces at Stade de la Meinau can now accommodate up to 561 delegates in conference format and 800 guests for cocktail receptions within a flexible and immersive environment.

Meanwhile, BRIO – Le Bar des Chefs offers a unique blend of gastronomy and neo-retro design, bringing together seven Strasbourg chefs in a venue capable of hosting up to 200 guests.

Sustainability remains a key pillar of the destination's development strategy. Strasbourg entered the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index Top 40 for the first time in 2025, climbing from 48th place in 2023 to 37th in 2025 among more than 80 destinations worldwide. The city has also seen a 45% increase in Green Key-certified establishments, reaching 35 certified properties, while the Strasbourg Tourist Office continues its ISO 20121 certification journey and carbon footprint reduction programme.
 

Colmar advances responsible events strategy

In Colmar, sustainability is taking centre stage with the achievement of ISO 20121 certification by Colmar Expo for both its Exhibition Centre and Espace Auguste venues.

The internationally recognised certification formalises a long-term commitment to responsible event management and follows an 18-month programme focused on reducing environmental impact, promoting inclusion, ensuring transparency and strengthening responsible procurement practices.

Colmar Expo offers an auditorium with capacity for up to 1,300 delegates alongside eight flexible meeting rooms dedicated to conferences and professional events.

The wider destination is also strengthening its environmental credentials. Across Colmar and the neighbouring communities of Eguisheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, 16 hotels have now achieved Green Key certification, the leading international sustainability label for accommodation providers.

Mulhouse invests in transformation and heritage experiences

Mulhouse continues to upgrade its hospitality and event infrastructure through a series of new developments and renovation projects.

The current Holiday Inn Mulhouse is undergoing a transformation valued at almost €10 million ahead of its rebranding as a Voco hotel. The project includes the refurbishment of 80 guest rooms and 18 apartments, the creation of a new rooftop restaurant and the addition of a 1,500m² spa facility.

The destination is also expanding its portfolio of distinctive event venues. At Reningue, just 20 minutes from Mulhouse, Domaine Oelenberg is transforming a former abbey founded in 1046 into a new meetings and events venue.

The historic property will accommodate up to 180 delegates in conference format and 400 guests for outdoor receptions, offering organisers a unique combination of heritage, nature and contemporary event facilities.

Mulhouse has also strengthened its sustainability credentials, with eight Green Key-certified properties now operating across the destination. Combined with certified establishments in Strasbourg and Colmar, Alsace now boasts a total of 59 Green Key hotels.
 

A destination evolving with market expectations

Taken together, these developments reflect the broader evolution of business events towards more sustainable, authentic and experience-led formats.

By combining internationally recognised congress infrastructure, new accommodation capacity, innovative venues and measurable environmental commitments, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse continue to strengthen their complementary positions within the French and European meetings market.

As organisers increasingly seek destinations that can balance operational excellence with sustainability and local character, Alsace is positioning itself as a region capable of delivering both.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Group signing at IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly in Athens, including (from left to right) Veli Aydın – Cultural and Tourism Attaché of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Athens, Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu – Deputy General Manager of TGA, Sissi Lignou – President of IAPCO, Martin Boyle – CEO of IAPCO

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has strengthened its global destination network with the addition of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) as its newest Destination Partner.

The partnership represents a significant milestone in Türkiye’s international business events strategy, providing the destination with direct access to IAPCO’s global network of accredited Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), association meeting planners and industry decision-makers.

The move comes at a time when destinations worldwide are intensifying efforts to attract high-value international congresses and association meetings, recognising the economic impact, knowledge exchange and long-term legacy these events generate. In this increasingly competitive environment, collaboration between destinations and specialist congress organisers has become a critical component of successful bidding and event delivery strategies.

Strengthening global connections

For IAPCO, the partnership reflects Türkiye’s growing profile within the international meetings sector, supported by continued investment in infrastructure, accessibility and international engagement.

Reflecting on the partnership, Sissi Lignou (on the right), President of IAPCO said: “Türkiye has demonstrated strong momentum and ambition within the global meetings industry, supported by ongoing investment in infrastructure, accessibility and international engagement.

“This partnership is a valuable addition to the IAPCO Destination Partner community, and we look forward to strengthening collaboration with TGA and Türkiye’s wider business events ecosystem.”

Türkiye has continued to build its reputation as a leading destination for international meetings and congresses, combining extensive venue infrastructure with strong air connectivity and a strategic geographical position bridging Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
 

Istanbul Congress Center

Growing international profile

The country's growing influence within the association meetings sector is reflected in recent industry rankings. According to International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) 2024 data cited by TGA, Istanbul ranked eighth globally among cities hosting medical and healthcare congresses, underlining its strength as a regional centre for research, innovation and academic exchange.

For TGA, joining IAPCO is seen as a key step in raising Türkiye’s visibility among international event organisers and strengthening its competitiveness in the global MICE marketplace.

Dr. Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu (on the right), Deputy General Manager of TGA, said: “TGA becoming an IAPCO Destination Partner represents an important milestone in our international growth strategy and reflects the rising power of Türkiye in the global MICE sector.

“This partnership provides an important opportunity to directly showcase Türkiye’s unique blend of accessibility, world-class infrastructure, hospitality and cultural richness to a global network of event decision-makers. Through closer collaboration with IAPCO and its members, we aim to further strengthen Türkiye’s competitiveness and visibility within the international meetings landscape.”

Supporting long-term industry development

Beyond destination promotion, the partnership is expected to foster closer collaboration in areas including sustainability, advocacy and professional development, supporting broader efforts to advance standards and best practice across the global meetings industry.

As part of its long-term strategy for the sector, TGA has also launched MeetingInTürkiye, a dedicated digital platform operating under the MeetTürkiye brand. Designed to support international organisers throughout the event planning process, the platform provides destination information, congress support services and access to Türkiye’s meetings and events ecosystem.

The new partnership further reinforces Türkiye’s ambitions to attract a growing share of international association meetings and congresses, while strengthening its position as one of the emerging powerhouses within the global business events industry.
 

Istanbul Congress Valley
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Prague Congress Centre (PCC) has officially launched one of the most significant development projects in its 45-year history, breaking ground on a new Exhibition Hall that will substantially increase the venue's capacity and strengthen Prague's position among the world's leading congress destinations.

The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone brought together PCC leadership, representatives of the City of Prague, project partners and architects behind the ambitious development. Once completed in 2028, the new facility will add 5,000 square metres of flexible exhibition space, enabling Prague to host major international congresses that have previously exceeded the venue's capacity.

The project represents an investment of approximately CZK 1.35 billion and is designed to meet growing demand from international associations and event organisers seeking larger, more integrated congress facilities.

New capacity for world-class events

The new Exhibition Hall will be fully integrated into the existing PCC campus, adding 5,000 m² of net exhibition space that can be divided into five independent sections. Combined with the venue's existing network of 70 halls and meeting rooms, the development will create a comprehensive congress campus capable of hosting large-scale international events entirely under one roof.

Upon completion, the total exhibition capacity of Prague Congress Centre will increase to 21,000 m², allowing organisers to combine scientific programmes, exhibitions, networking events and gala dinners within a single venue.

"International congresses today are looking for much more than adequate capacity. Organisers expect flexible spaces, cutting-edge technology, sustainability and a strong destination experience. That is precisely what our new hall delivers. And the demand is not hypothetical. PCC already has enquiries from approximately fifteen world-class congresses, particularly in the field of medicine, whose organisation is directly contingent on the completion of the hall," says Lenka Žlebková, Chair of the Board and CEO of Prague Congress Centre
 

Investment backed by PCC and the City of Prague

The majority of the project's funding will come directly from PCC's own resources, with the venue allocating more than CZK 1 billion towards the development.

Additional support comes from the City of Prague, which approved a CZK 600 million capital contribution at the end of 2025. The funding package extends beyond the new Exhibition Hall and includes improvements to surrounding public spaces, upgrades to stage technology, energy-efficiency projects and the redevelopment of the southern car park.

"The City of Prague is investing in PCC's development with a clear objective: to strengthen Prague's long-term position as one of the world's leading congress destinations. Major congresses bring the city prestige, expertise, business connections and significant public revenue. The new hall is therefore not just an investment in PCC, but in the economy and reputation of Prague as a whole," says Zdeněk Kovářík, Prague City Councillor for Finance.

Construction is scheduled to begin in July, with the building structure expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and final delivery planned for September 2028.

Landmark architecture and sustainability focus

The project is being delivered by Czech construction company GEMO a.s., selected through an anonymous tender process.

Designed by Barcelona-based OCA Architects in collaboration with Prague's CMC Architects, the building emerged from an international architectural competition and aims to balance contemporary expansion with respect for the original architecture of the congress centre and its surrounding urban environment.

One of the project's defining features will be its striking architectural form — a suspended structure stretching almost 177 metres in length.

"The construction of the new Prague Congress Centre Exhibition Hall is of extraordinary importance to us. The hall has been designed in an unconventional form as a levitating tube nearly 177 metres long, which means the construction process requires careful coordination among all those involved. We are delighted to be part of a project that will expand the capabilities of Prague Congress Centre and create a new, high-quality public space for the residents and visitors of the capital," says Jaromír Uhýrek, founder, owner and CEO of GEMO a.s.

Sustainability has also been embedded into the project from the outset. The new hall is targeting LEED Gold certification and will incorporate rainwater harvesting systems, expanded green areas and a range of environmental measures designed to reduce the venue's long-term impact.
 

Benefits beyond the congress sector

The development will also reshape the surrounding public realm. Following completion of the Exhibition Hall, the northern terrace overlooking Prague Castle will be transformed into a new public space featuring a café, outdoor seating, a viewing platform and step-free access connecting directly to Vyšehrad metro station.

The improvements are intended to benefit not only congress delegates but also Prague residents and visitors.

"Congress tourism is of extraordinary importance for Prague. It is not only about economic benefit, but also about knowledge exchange, innovation and international connections. Congresses bring leading specialists from around the world to Prague and strengthen ties between Czech and international academic and business communities," says Bohuslav Svoboda, Mayor of the City of Prague.

Supporting Prague's global congress ambitions

The expansion comes as Prague continues to strengthen its position in the international meetings market. According to the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings, the Czech capital is now the sixth most popular congress destination in the world, ahead of cities including London, Copenhagen and Tokyo.

The new Exhibition Hall is expected to play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing that position. PCC has already identified multiple international congress opportunities that currently cannot be accommodated due to space limitations.

Beyond the meetings industry itself, the project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the wider city. Congress delegates typically spend considerably more than leisure visitors, supporting hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions, transport providers and local businesses throughout Prague.

With construction now underway, PCC's expansion marks a major investment not only in the future of the venue but also in Prague's continued growth as one of Europe's premier destinations for international congresses and business events.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

More than 650 surgeons and healthcare professionals will gather in NewcastleGateshead later this month as The Glasshouse International Centre for Music hosts one of the UK's leading specialist medical conferences.

The British Elbow & Shoulder Society (BESS) Annual Scientific Meeting will take place from 24-26 June at the award-winning venue, bringing together upper limb specialists from across the UK and Ireland for three days of education, debate, networking and knowledge sharing.

This year's event marks a significant milestone for the society, which has been established for more than 35 years. For the first time in its history, BESS will welcome an international partner society to its flagship conference, with a delegation from Spain attending the event.

Among the international guests will be Abdul-ilah Hachem, President Elect of La Sociedad Española de Cirugía de Hombro y Codo (The Spanish Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery), who will deliver the prestigious Presidential Guest Lecture. He will be joined by fellow members of the Spanish society, underlining the growing international reach of the conference and strengthening professional collaboration between the two organisations.

Return to The Glasshouse

The conference marks the second time BESS has selected The Glasshouse as host venue, reflecting the growing reputation of the NewcastleGateshead landmark as a destination for major medical and scientific events.

Chris Laws, Head of Operations, Events & Hires at The Glasshouse, said: “This is the second time BESS has chosen The Glasshouse for its Annual Scientific Meeting, which is a great endorsement for our venue and the high quality conference and events facilities on offer.

“We’re very different from traditional conference centres in that we can provide some unique spaces that really elevate events and create that wow factor for delegates. The BESS conference will make full use of our world-class auditorium and our open concourse area for the exhibition, which has panoramic views across the river to Newcastle upon Tyne.”

The event will utilise the venue's flagship auditorium for keynote sessions and debates, while the expansive riverside concourse will host the accompanying trade exhibition.

International collaboration takes centre stage

Alongside the scientific programme, organisers are placing a strong emphasis on international collaboration and multidisciplinary learning.

In a joint statement, President of the British Elbow & Shoulder Society, Mark Falworth, and Vice President/Local Organiser Lead, Jaime Candal-Couto, said: “We are delighted to bring the BESS Annual Scientific Meeting and Instructional Course to NewcastleGateshead and The Glasshouse, a venue that offers an excellent setting for collaboration, learning and innovation. This year’s programme reflects the breadth and depth of contemporary shoulder and elbow practice, with a strong emphasis on practical education, multidisciplinary engagement and improving patient outcomes.

“We are also pleased to welcome colleagues from the Spanish Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (SECHC), marking an important step in strengthening international collaboration and sharing expertise. We look forward to three days of high-quality discussion, debate and professional development.”

The programme includes scientific presentations, surgical debates, panel discussions, industry workshops and a dedicated trauma-focused instructional course. Speakers and workshop leaders will represent NHS Trusts, teaching hospitals and specialist healthcare institutions from both the UK and Spain.

The event will conclude with an awards ceremony and the formal handover to Manchester, which will host the 2027 edition of the Annual Scientific Meeting.

A venue with growing conference credentials

Since opening in 2004, The Glasshouse — formerly known as Sage Gateshead — has established itself as one of the UK's most distinctive conference and events venues, combining world-class performance spaces with large-scale event facilities.

More than 400,000 conference delegates have attended events at the venue over the past two decades, with organisations including MS Life, Greggs, British Engines, NHS and TEDx choosing The Glasshouse for conferences, conventions and corporate events.

The venue's conference business also plays an important role in supporting its charitable mission. As an independent charity, revenue generated through conferences and events directly funds live music and education programmes across the North East. To date, more than £10.6 million has been reinvested into these community-focused initiatives.

Looking ahead, The Glasshouse will continue to strengthen its position within the business events market, with UKinbound already confirmed to bring its Annual Convention to the venue in February 2027.

As the only large-scale conference and events venue located on the iconic NewcastleGateshead quayside, The Glasshouse continues to attract national and international gatherings seeking a distinctive setting alongside state-of-the-art facilities.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has confirmed that MEETINGS, New Zealand's premier business events trade show, will remain at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) for the next three years, providing long-term certainty for the industry as the event approaches a major milestone.

The announcement was made by BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins during the official opening of MEETINGS 2026 on 16 June, attended by 750 industry professionals at Auckland's newly opened convention centre.

The decision follows a strategic review of the event's future and reflects a commitment to providing continuity, stability and long-term value for New Zealand's business events sector.

BEIA Board Chair Martin Snedden said securing the NZICC as MEETINGS' home for the next three editions creates a strong platform for future growth.

“The board wanted to ensure MEETINGS continued to evolve and grow. Staying at the NZICC for the next three years establishes long-term continuity. We can now plan for the future with confidence,” he said.

The announcement comes as MEETINGS prepares to celebrate a significant milestone in 2027, marking 30 years since the trade show was first launched.

According to Hopkins, the event has played a pivotal role in connecting buyers and suppliers while generating substantial economic benefits for New Zealand over the past three decades.

“Next year, we will be recognising MEETINGS' 30th anniversary. That is significant for an event which has welcomed thousands of event decision-makers, organisers and planners, resulting in billions of dollars being pumped into New Zealand's economy over the past three decades.

“Knowing that MEETINGS will be anchored at the NZICC means we can continue to ensure the trade show remains fresh and relevant, while at the same time enhancing the elements that we know are important to the industry.

“Supported by the New Zealand Convention Bureau network, the popular regional familiarisation programme will remain an important part of MEETINGS, offering a deeper understanding of the destinations, people and experiences across the country," she said.
 

Celebrating Auckland's diversity

The official opening featured a specially commissioned performance supported by Auckland Convention Bureau, a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and created by Oystar Creative.

Entitled Kotahitanga – One People, Many Cultures, the production showcased the cultural richness of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland through music and dance, celebrating connection, identity and community while welcoming delegates to the city.

International buyers gather in Auckland

Across the two-day event, more than 600 hosted buyers from New Zealand, Australia, North America, China, India, Japan and Southeast Asia are meeting with exhibitors representing more than 220 organisations from 18 regions across New Zealand.

The show remains the country's most important marketplace for business events, providing a platform for destinations, venues, hotels and suppliers to connect with key decision-makers from domestic and international markets.
 

Looking ahead

Following MEETINGS 2026, BEIA's attention will turn to Christchurch, where the organisation's next major industry gathering will take place later this year.

The BEIA Annual Conference 2026 and The Bizzies Awards are scheduled for 27-29 October at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, bringing together industry leaders from across New Zealand for three days of learning, networking and celebration.

With a new long-term home secured and its 30th anniversary on the horizon, MEETINGS enters its next chapter with renewed confidence, reinforcing its position as the cornerstone event for New Zealand's business events industry.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

With just over a week to go before its doors open at Excel London, The Meetings Show 2026 is gearing up for what organisers expect to be one of its most ambitious editions yet.

Taking place on 24-25 June, the UK's flagship event for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector will bring together almost 6,000 professionals, more than 550 exhibitors and representatives from over 80 destinations worldwide for two days of business meetings, education, networking and industry insights.

Now in its 14th year, the show will be officially opened by Martin Rhodes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, who will tour the exhibition floor and meet buyers and exhibitors from across the industry.

Future-focused education programme

A major draw for attendees will once again be the show's extensive education programme, designed to help event professionals navigate emerging trends, evolving client expectations and new business opportunities.

Across 63 sessions taking place on three stages, delegates can expect a mix of keynote presentations, workshops, panel discussions and interactive Q&As featuring some of the sector's most respected voices.

Among the headline speakers is Emma Henderson MBE, one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide until 2020, who will share leadership lessons drawn from more than three decades in aviation. Joining her is John Vincent MBE, co-founder and former CEO of LEON, who will explore the principles behind purpose-led brands, resilient leadership and meaningful customer engagement.

Sustainability, inclusivity and future event design will also feature prominently. Sessions include Anna Abdelnoor's The sustainability excuses killing progress (and a blueprint on how to shut them down fast) and Creating neuroinclusive networking: designing events where everyone can connect, which will examine how networking experiences can better support neurodivergent participants.

Elsewhere, David Osgathorp from Red Bull Technology Campus will discuss leadership and performance in Lead like an elite athlete, while The Meetings Show Conference Futurist Dr Graham Norris will invite participants to imagine what the events industry could look like in 2036.

The programme will also showcase emerging industry voices through a session curated by this year's Tomorrow's Talent winners, challenging established thinking and exploring what the next generation believes must change within the sector.

Returning by popular demand is The Reckoning, a candid debate featuring Paul Harvey, Editor of M&IT, James Lancaster, Editorial Director at AMI, and Paula Rowntree, Founder of The Business Events Network. This year's discussion will focus on the growing influence of artificial intelligence and its impact on how event professionals work, create and connect.

Global destinations and suppliers under one roof

As one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Europe, The Meetings Show continues to offer buyers direct access to destinations, venues, hotels and suppliers from around the world.

Among the established brands exhibiting this year are Minor Hotels, Destination Toronto, Radisson Hotel Group, Cubex Centre Prague, Oman Convention Bureau and Visit Costa Rica.

They will be joined by a range of first-time exhibitors, including BESydney, Rainbow Tourism Group, Ras Al Khaimah, Wynn Al Marjan Island, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, The Met Hotel, National Parks of Georgia and Somerset County Cricket Club.

Accessibility moves centre stage

Inclusivity remains a major focus for the organisers, with several new initiatives being introduced for 2026.

Notably, The Meetings Show will become the first trade exhibition in the meetings and events sector to provide a fully staffed on-site crèche for attendees with families. Delivered in partnership with childcare specialist Nipperbout, the service will also include dedicated breastfeeding and baby-changing facilities.

Additional wellbeing and accessibility measures include The Calm Hub, a Sensory Calm and Quiet Room, EventWell Buddies offering personalised support across the exhibition floor, and AI-powered live captioning across all education stages.

Enhanced experiences for hosted buyers

Hosted buyers attending the event will benefit from an expanded programme beginning on 23 June, ahead of the main exhibition.

A series of specialist masterclasses will explore topics such as AI and automation, generational shifts, engagement design and the human experience of live events. Sessions will be led by industry experts including Gerrie Hawes of Remotely Human and Luke Goetting of LTG Strategy.

Hosted buyers will also be invited to an exclusive welcome reception at London's Savage Garden rooftop bar. Sponsored by Manchester Convention Bureau, the evening will feature live music, Manchester-inspired cocktails, interactive cooking stations and a collaborative ‘sip & paint’ experience developed with Paintillio.

Throughout the two-day event, attendees will also have access to a packed networking programme, including a morning running tour, a waterfront drinks reception hosted by Liverpool Experience Campus and ICC Wales' immersive The ignite red dragon experience.

Event app launches this week

To help visitors plan their schedules and maximise their time at the show, The Meetings Show app will launch later this week.

The platform will allow attendees to manage appointments, explore exhibitors, navigate the venue and build personalised agendas, making it easier to identify opportunities and connect with the right people throughout the event.

Commenting ahead of the show, Jack Marczewski, Portfolio Event Director, The Meetings Show, said: "We can’t wait to welcome the industry back to Excel London this June. The Meetings Show is where the global events community comes together to connect, learn and do business and 2026 is set to be one of the most feature-rich editions yet, with an extensive exhibitor line-up, a packed and forward-thinking education programme and a range of new and returning highlights for attendees.”

The Meetings Show 2026 will once again be co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show, creating one of the largest annual gatherings of business events and travel professionals in Europe.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Meeting Needs welcomed 85 industry supporters to One Aldwych in London on 8 June for its annual showcase event, celebrating another year of fundraising success, grant giving and tangible social impact across the UK and internationally.

Hosted in partnership with One Aldwych, the event brought together supporters, partners, volunteers and beneficiaries to highlight how funds raised by the meetings and events industry are helping small charities and community projects deliver meaningful change where it is needed most.

Now in its 22nd year, Meeting Needs has raised more than £2.06 million and awarded 444 grants, supporting initiatives that create lasting benefits for individuals and communities. This year’s showcase reflected the breadth of that impact, from digital skills development in Zimbabwe to creative health and wellbeing programmes in the UK.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the David Hackett Award for Outstanding Contribution to Meeting Needs, which was awarded to the Events R’ Talented team — Matt Curran, Ken Findlay, Graeme Saunders and Paul Tidy.

Since its launch in 2018, Events R’ Talented has been a dedicated supporter of Meeting Needs, using its platform to unite industry professionals while raising substantial funds for the charity. In 2025 alone, the event generated £29,186 for Meeting Needs, helping to fund projects that provide direct support to communities and individuals in need.

Lene Corgan, Chair of Meeting Needs, said: "We are deeply grateful to all of our industry supporters, whose commitment and generosity make it possible for us to support beneficiary projects in the UK and abroad, changing lives. And a big congratulations to the Events R' Talented team on receiving this year's David Hackett award for Outstanding contributions to Meeting Needs a well deserved recognition of their fantastic support".

The showcase also shone a spotlight on the organisations benefiting from Meeting Needs grants. Attendees heard how support for the Jafuta Foundation in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, will help provide digital skills training for 30 young people. The grant will fund 30 computers for the Batoka Centre of Hope, giving participants access to technology, education and skills that can improve future employment and life opportunities.

Guests also learned about the work of Be More Dandelion, founded by former event planner Fiona Bool. Through The Dandelion Project, the charity uses creative health practices, movement and trauma-informed support to help women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves and move forward after challenging life experiences.

Together, the beneficiary stories demonstrated the diversity of projects supported by Meeting Needs and the direct link between industry fundraising efforts and meaningful social outcomes. They also reinforced the charity’s role in connecting the meetings and events sector with grassroots initiatives that often require relatively modest funding to achieve significant impact.

The annual showcase remains one of Meeting Needs’ most important opportunities to thank supporters, demonstrate the outcomes of their generosity and inspire continued engagement across the sector. By bringing the industry closer to the people and communities it supports, the event encourages ongoing fundraising, donations and partnerships.

Having now raised more than £2 million and distributed hundreds of grants, Meeting Needs continues to demonstrate the positive contribution the meetings and events industry can make far beyond the events it delivers.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and FIEXPO Exhibitions Group have launched the FIEXPO & IAPCO Emerging Leaders Programme – LATAM and the Jorge Castex Scholarship, a new initiative designed to support the next generation of meetings and events professionals across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The programme will culminate in the Jorge Castex Scholarship, established in honour of the late Jorge Castex, former IAPCO President, former Chair of the IAPCO Training Academy and one of Latin America's most influential meetings industry leaders.

For more information, visit www.iapco.org

  

 jwc has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra Government (Ministry of Tourism) to support the foundation and administration of the Maharashtra Convention Bureau.

  

As conferences become more experience-driven, organisers are looking for venues that offer strategic insight, audience engagement and long-term growth, not just event space. Olympia's Adam Pollington explains why the venue-organiser relationship is being redefined.

Author: Adam Pollington, Director of Sales, Olympia Events

For years, conference venue sales followed a predictable pattern; an organiser or PCO would send over a brief, the venue would respond with capacities, rates and availability, and the conversation would quickly move into logistics. Can the plenary fit? How many breakout rooms are there? What’s the delegate rate? Whilst those questions still matter, they are no longer the whole conversation.

International conference organisers are under increasing pressure to deliver far more than a well-run event. Delegates expect experiences, not just agendas. Sponsors want measurable engagement. Stakeholders want ROI, data and clear commercial value. And organisers themselves need venues that actively help them shape and grow their events over time. That changes the role of the venue entirely.

One of the biggest shifts we’ve made is moving towards a far more consultative and collaborative sales approach. The starting point for us is no longer simply the space itself, it’s understanding the organiser’s wider objectives. What experience are they trying to create? How do they want delegates to move through the event? What pressures are they under internally? What would make the conference stronger in three years’ time, not just next year?

That discovery phase matters because conferences have evolved significantly. Delegates no longer travel internationally simply to sit in a theatre all day before heading back to their hotel. The modern conference experience is far more fluid, experience-led and personalised. That’s where collaboration between venue and organiser becomes critical.

Historically, many venues operated in silos. Organisers would separately coordinate AV, catering, production, technology and hospitality across multiple suppliers and departments. It could become fragmented and operationally heavy very quickly. What organisers increasingly want now is joined-up thinking. They want venues that can help orchestrate the entire delegate experience, from arrival to departure, rather than simply handing over a floorplan.

“The future of conferences is not about fitting more people into bigger rooms. It’s about creating experiences that feel connected, thoughtful and commercially valuable for everyone involved.”

At Olympia, the evolution of the wider destination has allowed us to think much more holistically about that experience. Conversations are not just about room capacities. They’re about how the entire destination works together:

• How do delegates transition naturally between plenary sessions, networking and hospitality?
• How can sponsors engage with audiences more meaningfully?
• How do food and beverage experiences support networking rather than interrupt it?
• How do you create moments that feel memorable rather than transactional?

Increasingly, conference organisers are also looking for more premium and curated experiences for different audience groups. A keynote in the ICC auditorium might sit alongside leadership roundtables in heritage spaces, sponsor hospitality in The Addison, and evening networking across the wider destination.

That flexibility matters because conferences are becoming less standardised and far more experience-driven. It also changes how we think about the sales process itself.

I’ve always believed venues underestimate the importance of the organiser journey before a contract is even signed. Too many site visits are still little more than a walk around empty meeting rooms. In reality, international organisers and PCOs are making high-value decisions under significant pressure. They are assessing trust, expertise and creativity just as much as infrastructure.

That means every interaction matters.

The role of the venue is increasingly becoming that of a partner and advisor, not simply a supplier. Organisers want ideas. They want strategic input. They want venues that understand audience behaviour, sponsor expectations and how conferences are evolving globally.

Data is becoming a major part of that conversation too. Organisers are no longer focused purely on attendance numbers. They want deeper insight into delegate engagement, movement, dwell time and interaction. They want to understand not just who attended, but how people experienced the event and how those relationships continue beyond the conference itself.

Ultimately, the future of conferences is not about fitting more people into bigger rooms. It’s about creating experiences that feel connected, thoughtful and commercially valuable for everyone involved, and that only happens when venues and organisers stop working transactionally and start working collaboratively.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

The GDS-Awards will take place on 17 June 2026 in Szczecin, Poland, as part of the broader GDS-Forum & Impact Day (16–18 June 2026). The Awards act as a key moment within the programme, bringing together destinations, organisers and industry stakeholders to recognise initiatives and individuals advancing sustainability, impact and regenerative approaches across the global business events ecosystem.

The GDS-Movement sits at the centre of this ecosystem. It convenes destinations, organisers and industry stakeholders around sustainability, impact and regenerative economy principles, supported by research, white papers and practical tools designed to accelerate real-world implementation. Its work operates at the intersection of measurement, behaviour change and system-wide collaboration, challenging the sector to move beyond aspiration into credible, accountable action.

This year’s edition features three core categories – the Impact Award, the Innovation Award, and the newly introduced Changemaker Award – each reflecting a different dimension of transformation within destinations and the wider events ecosystem.

Team photo of the organisers of the GDS-Forum & Awards 2024 in Bruges © GDS-Movement

IMPACT AWARD (in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT)

The Impact Award recognises destination management organisations that are actively building structured approaches to legacy and long-term societal impact through business events. It highlights destinations that are embedding economic, social and environmental outcomes into their event strategies, moving beyond isolated initiatives towards integrated impact systems. Finalists are evaluated by an independent panel of experts.
 

Shortlisted destinations:

• Barcelona Convention Bureau (Barcelona, Spain)

Barcelona Convention Bureau’s legacy programme, launched in 2025, is designed to embed long-term impact into congress activity through structured collaboration with local stakeholders across five impact areas: economic diversification, community, knowledge sharing, environment and sectoral development.
 

• Göteborg & Co, Gothenburg Convention Bureau (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Göteborg & Co’s EVS38 congress in 2025 brought together around 80 stakeholders across sectors to strengthen Gothenburg’s leadership in sustainable transport and electromobility, combining demonstration projects, education and talent initiatives within a unified legacy framework.
 

 
 EVS38 Congress 2025 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Göteborg | Photo: House of Vision/Göteborg & Co. 
 

• Invest in Bogotá (Bogotá, Colombia)

Invest in Bogotá’s Beyond the Event programme integrates environmental, social and economic measurement into a single model, allowing organisers to quantify and act on impact while linking carbon compensation initiatives to local community benefits.
 

• Fáilte Ireland (Ireland)

Fáilte Ireland’s Business Events Impact and Legacy Programme, embedded in its national strategy, combines training, funding, storytelling and structured impact frameworks to ensure conferences deliver measurable value aligned with national priorities and the UN SDGs.
 

Inside the GDS-Forum 2026: The Industry’s Shift to 'Proofs Not Promises'
 

INNOVATION AWARD

The Innovation Award recognises destinations that are developing new approaches, tools or programmes to improve sustainability performance in measurable and scalable ways. Submissions are assessed based on innovation, outcomes, storytelling, engagement and leadership.
 

Shortlisted destinations:

• Gdańsk Tourism Organization (Gdańsk, Poland)

In Gdańsk, accessibility has been redefined as a participatory system rather than a compliance exercise. Since 2022, the destination has worked with auditors with disabilities who conducted 184 audits across 17 venues, leading to the development of 16 Communication Cards co-created with Deaf communities and now used across multiple venues to improve accessibility and communication.

Gdańsk's old town at nighttime
 

• Göteborg & Co (Gothenburg, Sweden)

In Gothenburg, the Gothenburg Meal project reimagines culinary identity through collective design, involving citizens, chefs and food communities in the creation of Gothenburg Royale, a sustainable reinterpretation of the city’s iconic dish built around circular food principles.
 

• Ottawa Tourism (Ottawa, Canada)

Ottawa Tourism’s À la Carte programme, launched in 2024, is Canada’s first destination-led food recovery initiative, connecting hospitality partners with community organisations to redirect surplus food towards food insecurity solutions, supported by a destination-wide impact dashboard.
 

• VisitAarhus (Aarhus, Denmark)

VisitAarhus’ campaign “So Much to Enjoy, So Close to You” reframes tourism competitiveness through proximity, positioning the region as a low-emission destination while embedding sustainability across strategy, media production and measurement.
 

Redefining the Role of DMOs in a Regenerative Event Economy with #MEET4IMPACT
 

CHANGEMAKER AWARD (NEW for 2026)

The Changemaker Award is a new category recognising individuals driving regenerative transformation within destinations. It highlights professionals who are translating ambition into implementation, enabling cross-sector collaboration, and embedding regenerative thinking into destination practice.

Unlike the other categories, the winner will be decided through a live community vote during the GDS-Awards ceremony.
 

Shortlisted individuals:

• Matti Pollari (Visit Tampere, Finland)

Matti Pollari has played a key role in embedding sustainability into Tampere’s wider urban and climate governance structure, ensuring tourism is not treated as a parallel agenda but as part of city-level transformation. His work focuses on aligning destination development with municipal climate objectives, strengthening stakeholder coordination across public and private actors, and advancing structured carbon-neutral tourism pathways. He has also been instrumental in operationalising the Sustainable Travel Finland framework locally, translating national ambition into practical tools and measurable progress at destination level.
 

• Jac Callan (Visit Belfast, Northern Ireland)

Jac Callan has been a driving force behind Belfast’s shift towards a more regenerative and impact-led destination model. Her work focuses on building a connected ecosystem across venues, industry partners, community stakeholders and policy actors, ensuring sustainability is embedded as a shared responsibility rather than a standalone programme. She has helped move Belfast from project-based initiatives towards a more structured, city-wide approach to regeneration, with particular emphasis on collaboration, long-term legacy thinking and practical implementation within the business events space.
 

• Fanny Beaulieu Cormier (Tourisme Montréal, Canada)

Fanny Beaulieu Cormier operates at the intersection of strategy, capability-building and delivery within Montréal’s regenerative tourism agenda. Her work has centred on developing a clearer strategic direction for sustainable tourism while actively building the partnerships and funding structures needed to make implementation possible. She has trained hundreds of stakeholders across the ecosystem, strengthened alliances between public and private actors, and supported the development of initiatives that link destination performance with tangible community and environmental outcomes. Her focus is on ensuring regenerative tourism is not conceptual, but operational and embedded across the destination system.
 

• Petra Stušek (Ljubljana Tourism, Slovenia)

Under Petra's leadership, Ljubljana has become a recognised sustainable destination where tourism supports community, culture and daily life. The city's tourism strategy has been explicitly linked to quality of life for residents, with strong emphasis on inclusion, seasonality management and community participation. She has actively worked to ensure residents are part of decision-making processes around tourism development, while also strengthening Ljubljana’s international role as a reference point in regenerative destination thinking. Her approach consistently frames tourism not as a pressure point, but as a tool for improving urban liveability and long-term resilience.
 

Belfast has secured the Harm Reduction International Conference 2027, one of the world's leading gatherings focused on public health, drug policy and evidence-based harm reduction. Taking place over four days, the event is expected to generate thousands of hotel bed nights while bringing international attention to Belfast's growing role as a centre for public health innovation, research and progressive policy dialogue.

Delivered in partnership with Harm Reduction International and Extern, the conference will convene academics, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, charities and advocates from around the world to examine approaches aimed at reducing the health, social and legal harms associated with drug use and drug policy.

The win further strengthens Belfast's reputation as a destination capable of attracting globally significant conferences that deliver both economic returns and meaningful societal outcomes. Previous editions of the conference have been held in Melbourne (2023) and Bogotá (2025).

While the event is expected to deliver substantial benefits for the local visitor economy, including hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local businesses, its organisers also point to a broader legacy. The conference arrives at a time when Northern Ireland is increasing its focus on substance use, mental health and public health policy, with recent developments including €7 million in cross-border research funding, the launch of the Northern Ireland Executive's Substance Use Strategic Commissioning and Implementation Plan 2024–2028, and local efforts to establish overdose prevention facilities.

A key local partner is Extern, one of Ireland's leading organisations working in harm reduction, homelessness and addiction support. As part of preparations for the conference, Extern has already provided specialist harm reduction training to front-of-house teams at ICC Belfast, drawing on more than two decades of frontline experience.

Rob McConnell, Chief Executive, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, and Ulster Hall said: “Securing Harm Reduction International 2027 is a hugely significant win for Belfast and Northern Ireland."

The conference will bring substantial economic benefits to the city through international visitor spend and hotel occupancy, while also showcasing Belfast as a progressive, globally connected destination for world-class conferences and events.
 

L-R: Rob McConnell, Chief Executive, ICC Belfast, Maddie O’Hare, Director, Harm Reduction International, Lucy O’Hare, Director, Harm Reduction International and Iain Cameron, Project Manager, Extern.

“Beyond the economic impact, this event presents an important opportunity to create meaningful social legacy through international collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and public health innovation. We are proud to welcome delegates from across the world to Belfast next year.”

Lucy O’Hare, Director, Harm Reduction International Conference said: “We are delighted to bring the Harm Reduction International Conference to Belfast in 2027."

The conference will create opportunities for collaboration between international experts and local organisations, while also delivering meaningful economic impact through international tourism and visitor spend across the city.

Iain Cameron, Project Manager, Extern added: “Extern is proud to support the delivery of this important conference in Belfast - a city where we have worked alongside people and communities since the 1970s, often in the most challenging circumstances. Our harm reduction approach is shaped by a changing frontline reality: the significant impact of drug use and the complex challenges people face, including homelessness, trauma, mental health, and deep-rooted inequality."

“For Extern, harm reduction means meeting people where they are, treating them with dignity, and walking alongside them without judgment."

"As part of the team helping to make this conference a reality, Extern sees it as a timely opportunity to learn from international innovation and evidence, and to draw on successful interventions from across the world to make a difference here in Northern Ireland.

It will deepen understanding, strengthen collaboration, and contribute to long-term positive outcomes for some of the most vulnerable in Belfast and the wider community.”

The conference is supported through the Belfast and Northern Ireland Conference Subvention Scheme, funded by Belfast City Council and Tourism NI and administered by Visit Belfast.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Toulouse has secured the right to host the 26th International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM) in July 2029, bringing the world’s leading event dedicated to composite materials back to Europe and reinforcing the city’s position at the forefront of aerospace innovation, advanced manufacturing and materials research.

The announcement was made during ICCM 2025 in Baltimore, where members of the international scientific community selected Toulouse as the host destination for the next European edition of the congress. The event is expected to attract nearly 1,600 researchers, engineers, industry leaders and policymakers to the MEETT – Toulouse Exhibition, Convention and Congress Centre.

The successful bid was led by a consortium comprising the University of Toulouse, IMT Mines Albi, the CNRS-affiliated Institut Clément Ader, IRT Saint Exupéry, Toulouse Team and Toulouse Events, operator of the MEETT. Their proposal highlighted the region’s internationally recognised research capabilities, the strength of its aerospace ecosystem and the quality of its event infrastructure.

The selection represents a major achievement for Toulouse’s scientific community and reflects years of collaboration between researchers, industry partners, institutional stakeholders and destination experts. Support from Toulouse Métropole, the Occitanie Region and regional industry leaders also played a key role in securing the congress.

A Global Gathering for a Strategic Industry

Held every two years, ICCM is regarded as the leading international conference for advances in composite materials, bringing together the scientific and industrial communities working on next-generation materials and manufacturing processes.

Its arrival in Toulouse is particularly significant given the city’s central role in one of Europe's most advanced composite materials ecosystems. The technology is now fundamental to aerospace, automotive and energy applications, helping reduce weight, improve performance and support decarbonisation objectives. The Airbus A350, for example, incorporates more than 50% composite materials in its airframe.

As home to Airbus headquarters and a dense network of suppliers, engineering firms, SMEs and research institutions, Toulouse offers a unique environment where academic excellence and industrial application intersect. Organisations such as the Aerospace Valley cluster, the Institut Clément Ader and IRT Saint Exupéry continue to drive innovation in manufacturing processes, materials performance, automation, sustainability and technology transfer.

Current priorities across the sector include increased process automation, scalable production methods and the development of recyclable thermoplastic composites and bio-based materials, all aligned with Europe's wider sustainability and competitiveness objectives.

The MEETT: A Venue Designed for International Scale

The choice of the MEETT (right side) as host venue further reinforces Toulouse’s attractiveness for large-scale international events. Located near Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and connected directly to the city centre, the venue combines a modular auditorium, conference facilities, exhibition halls and integrated hospitality services capable of meeting the complex requirements of a global scientific congress.

For Toulouse Events and the wider destination ecosystem, hosting ICCM 2029 represents more than a congress win; it is a recognition of the city's ability to convene international knowledge communities around sectors that will shape the future of industry and innovation.

Toulouse: Where Research Meets Industry

Few European cities can match Toulouse’s concentration of expertise across aerospace, space, engineering, health sciences, digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Alongside global organisations such as Airbus, CNES and ONERA, the city hosts a thriving innovation ecosystem that continues to attract talent, investment and international collaboration.

Beyond its economic strengths, Toulouse combines scientific excellence with a distinctive quality of life, offering delegates a destination that blends cutting-edge innovation with rich cultural heritage, gastronomy and a vibrant urban environment.

As local stakeholders emphasise, the success of the ICCM bid was ultimately driven by a shared vision. By bringing together researchers, institutions, industry leaders and event professionals around a common objective, Toulouse demonstrated the collaborative strength that continues to distinguish the destination on the international stage.

The Clément Ader Institute

The Clément Ader Institute (ICA – UMR CNRS 5312) is a research laboratory established in 2009, bringing together 260 researchers and staff working across materials, structures, systems, manufacturing processes, measurement, control and monitoring. While aerospace remains its principal area of application, its research also supports advances in transport, energy and mechanical engineering.

Its activities focus on modelling material and structural behaviour, understanding durability and developing both numerical and experimental approaches to engineering challenges. Composite materials form a major part of its research portfolio.

Its five supervisory institutions are INSA Toulouse, ISAE-SUPAERO, the University of Toulouse, IMT Mines Albi and CNRS.

In the field of composites, ICA brings together 30 permanent researchers, approximately 45 PhD candidates and 10 postdoctoral researchers and project engineers. The Composite Materials and Structures group focuses on the full lifecycle of composite materials, from development and manufacturing to repair, reuse and recycling, combining advanced simulation tools with experimental research.

IRT Saint Exupéry

IRT Saint Exupéry is a technology research institute that brings together academic and industrial partners around collaborative projects to boost competitiveness and innovation in the aeronautics, space and embedded systems sectors. In the field of composites, its teams contribute to the development of lighter, stronger and multi-functional structures by designing and manufacturing innovative composite materials with controlled architecture, up to a semi-industrial scale.
 

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Increasing globalisation and organisational complexity call for a review of long-standing governance models and decision-making structures. With an eye on 2026, it would be more effective to design governance around the outcomes we want to achieve than to continue relying on legacy frameworks designed for an entirely different context.
In an increasingly global and complex environment, our collaborator Mark Levin (right side) argues for reverse engineering organisational governance by designing structures around desired outcomes, to modernise decision-making processes and better prepare organisations for 2026 and beyond.

I am guessing that none of the readers of Headquarters got up this morning and said, “I think today would be the perfect day for our organisation to reconstruct our entire governance model.”

I know I certainly did not. I am already remarkably busy trying to keep everything up and running in the international trade association I manage on a day-to-day basis.

However, maybe it is time to re-evaluate whether or not our governance structure and, more importantly, our decisionmaking processes, are best preparing us to deal with the world of 2026. If our membership, and the scope of our programmes, events, and activities, are global in nature, is the governance that our organisation adopted when it was founded still the best model to be using 10, 20, 30, or even (in our case) 65 years later?

This is not a discussion about updating by-laws and policy manuals, although that may be an outcome of the reverse engineering process. Reverse engineering our governance means working backward from our goals to uncover how our decisions are actually being made, and, realising that, determining if that process is aligned with our need to be responsive to our members’ needs.

Let’s say our goal in 2026 is to have the largest and most successful annual meeting in our organisation’s history. That is a wonderful goal, but in order to get to that outcome, we need work backwards by asking ourselves these eight questions:

• What is that going to take? How aggressive does our promotional effort need to be? How big of a budget will we need?
   
• Who is going to do all that work? Do we need an ad hoc committee? Should we hire a marketing company?
   
• What is the role of the staff going to be? Do we have the marketing and management talent on board to accomplish our goal? Will we need to borrow staff resources from other departments or organisation priority activities?
   
• At what points do we evaluate how effective our efforts have been? At what point do we start discussing (if necessary) the need to regroup and make some changes to our plan/effort?
   
• What are the measurement criteria to determine the ‘largest’ meeting?

a. Total attendees?
b. Total member attendees?
c. Percentage of members?
d. Total exhibitors?
e. Total income?

• What are the measurement criteria for the ‘most successful’ meeting?

a. Total attendance?
b. Attendee evaluations?
c. Net income?
d. Adoption of new professional standards or policies?
e. Repeat attendees from 2025?

• Who will prioritise these items, and what authority they have to make those decisions?

a. Should it be the Board or a committee?
b. Does designating the annual meeting as a priority give it precedence over other programmes or resources?
c. What is the role of the organisation’s staff in making decisions and determining priorities?

• Do we need to restructure our governance to keep moving forward?

a. Are we bound by out-of-date governance documents that limit our ability to ‘organise for success’?
b. Should we consider adding leadership positions to engage a broader representation of our 2026 membership?

This process could go on and on. The key is to identify, quantify, and track the process by which decisions are currently made and priorities are determined. Then you can identify where changes are needed.

Here is where the ‘reverse’ part of reverse engineering starts paying off. Instead of starting with an organisation chart and assigning programmes and activities to existing individuals or committees, you build an organisation chart to support and accomplish organisational priorities and goals.

Based on the example above, our 2026 governance can now be structured to:

• Identify and engage a broader group of members;
   
• Give this group greater authority to help prioritise organisational goals;
   
• Increase attendee satisfaction at our annual meetings;
   
• Increase the number of active (voting) members in attendance;
   
• Monitor the progress of the meeting more frequently (monthly);
   
• Use the information and recommendations of the professional staff;
   
• Accomplish the goal of producing the largest and most successful annual meeting in our organisation’s history.

Ultimately, reverse engineering our governance is about aligning structure with purpose. Rather than relying on legacy models or outdated decision-making habits, it asks us to start with the outcomes we want to achieve and design a governance system capable of delivering them. By working backwards from our goals, clarifying roles, updating processes, and empowering the right people at the right moments, we can build organisations that are agile, accountable, and genuinely prepared for 2026 and beyond.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Levin, CAE, CSP has more than 20 years of experience as an association executive and is also an internationally-known speaker and consultant to the non-profit and association community. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute, an international trade association, and as President of B.A.I., Inc., his speaking and consulting firm.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has successfully concluded the UFI European Conference, hosted by İZFAŞ in İzmir, Türkiye, from 3–5 June 2026. This year’s edition marked the largest UFI regional conference to date, welcoming more than 400 delegates from across Europe and beyond.

Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, CEO of İZFAŞ, commented: “With more than a century of exhibition experience, İzmir has long been a centre for trade, cultural interaction and international gatherings. Welcoming the global exhibition community back to our city after many years was particularly meaningful. This conference once again demonstrates İzmir’s strong position within the global exhibition network and its organisational expertise.

The conference provided an important platform for developing a shared vision for the future of the exhibition industry. We believe it will contribute to new collaborations, knowledge-sharing and greater international visibility for İzmir.”

Nick Dugdale-Moore, Head of Regions and Regional Director Europe at UFI, added: “We were so happy to welcome such a large audience again this year, easily passing last year’s record attendance.

But far more important than the number is the quality of the delegates present, and the quality of the connections and conversations they had. We hope they enjoyed their stay in beautiful Izmir and took away valuable insights, new contacts and friendships, and lifelong memories.”

Programme highlights

A series of standout sessions shaped the conference programme, opening with world record-holding open-water swimmer and İzmir native Bengisu Avcı, who delivered a powerful and deeply personal account of resilience, failure, and determination as the first Turkish person to complete the Oceans Seven challenge.

Jonathan Weiner, the event entrepreneur behind HLTH, HumanX, Money20/20 and Shoptalk, delivered a masterclass in event brand building, sharing insights into the strategy, bold decisions and lessons learned from scaling some of the world’s most influential event brands.

Returning for a second consecutive year, the Insight Series Workshops brought delegates together for four interactive sessions focused on some of the most pressing challenges facing the exhibition industry today. Covering visitor experience, exhibitor relationships, the future of event formats, and inclusive and accessible experiences, the sessions encouraged the community not only to discuss the future of exhibitions, but to actively shape it.

Recordings of all sessions will be made available on demand to UFI members and conference participants in the coming days.
 

4th edition of Event Directors Summit

The Event Directors Summit returned for its fourth consecutive year as one of the most anticipated elements of the UFI European Conference. The exclusive two-day programme, led by Oscar Cerezales (MCI Group), brought together exhibition, portfolio and event directors for hands-on workshops and interactive learning, complemented by coastal bike rides and boat trips that showcased İzmir’s spectacular setting.

İzmir in the spotlight

Beyond the programme, İzmir itself emerged as a highlight of the conference experience. From the networking dinner at the ancient Agora to post-conference tours of Ephesus and the beaches of Çeşme, the city offered an exceptional backdrop for connection and discovery.

Global Exhibitions Day

Global Exhibitions Day was celebrated on 3 June, with the UFI European Conference community coming together under this year’s theme: “Exhibitions drive opportunities for people, for the planet, and for performance.”
 

Join the conversation at upcoming events

As the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI organises several events annually, including the Regional Conferences, the UFI Global Congress, the Global CEO Summit and the Event Directors Summit. The next event on the calendar is the UFI Global Congress in November, followed by the UFI Central & South American Conference in December.

From 2–4 June 2027, the UFI European Conference will take place in Rimini, Italy, hosted by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).

Full details about the UFI European Conference can be found on the event website
 

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Downtown Coal Harbour © Albert Normandin

This report, part of a new editorial partnership between HQ and BestCities Global Alliance in 2026, explores how Vancouver has become a global example of innovative, inclusive, and progress-oriented business events. Based on insights from recent major technology conferences held in the city, it highlights how Vancouver converts events into measurable social, economic, and environmental impact, treating legacy planning as a foundational requirement.

Author: Manuel A. Fernandes

Visiting Vancouver for the BestCities Global Forum 2022 offered a first-hand view on how the city is embedding sustainability and impact into its events ecosystem. Beyond traditional hospitality and conference delivery, Destination Vancouver shows how intentional planning, strategic partnerships, and world-class venues can create lasting social and economic outcomes. The Vancouver Convention Centre, a double LEED® Platinum-certified facility, exemplifies this approach. Its six-acre green roof, advanced water treatment, and marine heating and cooling system showcase environmental leadership, while providing a tangible blueprint for sustainable event design. As such, sustainability extends beyond the physical infrastructure into operational models and event programming.
 

Measuring Impact: The Conference Legacy Impact Study

A cornerstone of Vancouver’s strategic approach is the Conference Legacy Impact Study, conducted with Capilano University. The study shifted focus from short-term economic returns to long-term, multidimensional legacy planning across economic, environmental, political, sectoral, and social domains. Michael Drake, Vice President of Meetings, Conventions & Events (pictured above) at Destination Vancouver, notes: “The findings reinforce the strategic necessity for our organisation to take the lead in identifying and measuring outcomes or at least proposing actionable steps. Key insights revealed that the type of event significantly influences outcomes.”

The research revealed that recurring conferences often drive deeper economic and social engagement, including collaboration with Indigenous communities and investment in local projects. It also informed the creation of the Naturally Innovative Alliance (NIA), a first-of-its-kind public/nonprofit partnership that aligns government and sector development agencies to amplify the impact of a major tech conference – the international emerging-tech investment conference which was hosted in May 2025. “Designed for shared governance and co-developed programming, this collaborative model moves beyond traditional DMO roles by explicitly using a major business event as a platform dedicated to long-term development and broader impact,” Drake says.

"The next generation of resilient and sustainable urban destinations will be defined by flexibility, innovation, and shared purpose."
 

Legacy Drivers in Innovation and Education

Vancouver places education and mentorship at the heart of its legacy strategy. Initiatives like IMPACTFest function as capacity-building platforms, providing leadership development and skill-building opportunities for students, teachers, and emerging entrepreneurs. This process is vital for translating learning into tangible, real world actions, which successfully equips professionals and emerging entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to accelerate sector growth and drive new inventions.

Drake highlights: “For major international events over 10,000 attendees, like the 2024 NeurIPS, the 2025 International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) or the 2025 SIGGRAH, these efforts are paramount, as they support the goal to ‘Ensure maximum opportunities for youth to see future careers in technology,’ thereby shaping the next generation of innovators.” Complementing this, tech meetings such as HTML500 provide free, large-scale coding events to expand access to high-value services, particularly among minority and underrepresented groups. These events, among the 10,000 technology conferences held last year, align with the Capilano study’s outcomes of increasing opportunities for youth and adults to acquire relevant job skills.
 

BestCities Global Forum 2022

Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Tech Ecosystem

Inclusion remains central to Vancouver’s legacy planning, addressed through the legacy driver of DEI Initiatives. The city ensures that professional development opportunities, digital skills access, and entrepreneurial pathways reach Indigenous innovators and other underrepresented communities. For accessibility, tools like the AI transcription platform Wordly ensured immediate access for diverse, international audiences at events like the 2025 SIGGRAPH and the 2024 NeurIPS. Drake explains: “The strategy for tech events focuses on intentional direction towards underrepresented communities with a main goal of maximising participation opportunities. Partnering global events with organisations such as the First Nations Technology Council is a key to this success.” By entrenching DEI into major events, Vancouver strengthens local ecosystems while showcasing the city as a global leader in inclusive innovation.

Sustainability in Vancouver is integrated beyond venue certifications into the core design of conferences and events. The B.C. Pavilion, for instance, employed reusable booth structures, biodegradable materials, and locally sourced rentals during major events. Drake emphasises: “Sustainability is a critical pillar of Vancouver’s brand and legacy strategy as well. The city is scaling sustainability beyond fixed features – such as the Vancouver Convention Centre’s LEED Platinum certification or vendor certification, into the event design itself.” This approach ensures that eco-friendly practices are rooted into operational and strategic decision-making, setting a standard for global conferences and encouraging social procurement that aligns environmental and societal goals.

"Technology and digital tools are vital for enhancing resilience, accessibility, sustainability, and legacy outcomes."
 

Strategic Leverage of Tech and Innovation

Tech conferences are leveraged as platforms for economic and innovation hubs, not just an event. The NIA demonstrates how strategic partnerships between government agencies and sector bodies can amplify the outcomes of international tech conferences. Drake observes: “Crucially, the NIA directly facilitated commercial wins, with international investors attending side events, an outstanding number of business meetings held, and new Venture Capitalists recruited, leading directly to increased trade and investment.” Furthermore, Vancouver utilises emerging technologies – AI, XR, data analytics, and smart venue integration – to enhance delegate experiences, accessibility, and visibility of the local ecosystem, ensuring events remain future-ready and globally competitive.

The collaboration with the BestCities Global Alliance allows the city to refine its legacy frameworks, adopt evidencebased strategies, and project Vancouver as a benchmark for sustainable and socially impactful events. Drake concludes: “By actively participating, Destination Vancouver contributes to and benefits from global best practices in legacy delivery, ensuring events meet high international standards, and establishing the city as a recognised contributor to research in this field.” In the broader visitor economy, the strategy focuses on encouraging tourism activity by recognising the clear correlation that the more local businesses attendees visit, and the more contacts they make, the higher their intention to revisit Vancouver as second-time visitors.
 

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San José, Costa Rica, is hosting FIEXPO Latin America 2026 from 8 to 11 June, bringing together international associations, destinations, convention bureaux, hosted buyers, suppliers and industry leaders from across the global meetings and business events sector.

The Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania and the River Oder in Szczecin, Poland.

At the last IMEX Frankfurt, there was widespread talk that the corporate events sector is entering a post-commitment phase with regard to sustainability, with frameworks, certifications and commitments now in place. However, the real test now lies in implementation and credibility, and in that regard the crucial question to ask is: is this actually being done?

The GDS-Movement works across destinations, organisers and wider industry stakeholders to translate sustainability, impact and regenerative economy principles into practice. At its core, it sits at the intersection of measurement, behaviour change and system-wide collaboration, challenging the sector to move beyond well-intentioned narratives and towards credible, accountable action that can be tested, shared and scaled.

In the following conversation, Guy Bigwood, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Changemaker of the GDS-Movement, reflects on the shift from sustainability to regeneration, the fragmentation and convergence of standards, the politics of destination success, and whether the industry is truly delivering transformation or still largely operating at the level of narrative, with our HQ Magazine Manager, Manuel A. Fernandes

This interview is part of a series of conversations in the run-up to the GDS-Forum and Impact Day, taking place from 16–18 June 2026 in Szczecin, Poland. The series opened with an interview with Made Raie, CEO of #MEET4IMPACT, and continues with leading voices shaping the future of business events, destination management and systems transformation.

‘Better Together’ is the Forum’s central theme, arriving at a moment when the industry is increasingly calling for collective action and a united advocacy effort to drive sustainable transformation. What will be different and unique about this month’s Forum?

I think there are a few dimensions to that. We are certainly in a challenging moment in many places when it comes to sustainability and for destinations more broadly. To set the context, we are essentially creating what I would describe as a “festival of sustainability” here in Szczecin this week.

It is important to understand that we are approaching this very differently from a traditional conference. We are not simply taking an existing format and replicating it, as you might see elsewhere. Instead, we are treating this as a broader impact project, asking how we can use the act of convening, and working with local partners, to support and accelerate Szczecin’s transition towards regeneration and more sustainable tourism. That is really the mission and the impact objective: it spans youth empowerment, destination attractiveness, and local capacity-building, all with very clear outcomes in mind.

As part of that, we have structured a sequence of interconnected elements: a Youth Day, followed by a Youth Forum, then the GDS-Forum itself, followed by an Impact Day, and finally a Local Supplier Forum. Each of these has its own specific focus and objectives, but they are deliberately designed to work together as part of a wider ecosystem of engagement.

Understood. It’s more of a workshop format and a set of working group activities, rather than a traditional conference structure.

The GDS-Forum is designed to serve a different purpose. I think working on destination sustainability is inherently challenging. Budgets are tight, and in many respects, a lot of destinations have already addressed the easier, more visible aspects of sustainability. The more complex, systemic transformation still lies ahead, and that is not something any destination can achieve in isolation. Whether at city, regional or national level, and even between competing destinations, it requires collaboration. That is why the “Better Together” theme feels particularly relevant this year. In a context where there is, in many ways, a tendency towards fragmentation and divergence, the idea of coming together to work collectively on these challenges becomes especially powerful.

The second point is that many conferences remain quite superficial in the depth of the content and conversations. There is often a series of case studies presented in quick succession, but very little time or space to engage properly with the underlying issues. The intention with the GDS-Forum, and the broader format we have developed, is precisely to go beyond that surface level and create the conditions for deeper, more meaningful work.

You’ve been with us before, haven’t you?

Yes. I was at the GDS-Forum and Impact Day in Bruges two years ago.

So you know the concept of having no keynotes. We sometimes joke about it as a “no PowerPoint” rule, because the idea is really to get people thinking differently. So smaller conversations around subjects that may be your own challenges, your own issues. Through years of feedback, we've found that this format helps people break out of established ways of thinking and collaborate in a more meaningful way.

In Szczecin, for example, we're exploring questions such as: How do you develop a climate strategy? How do you create an impact strategy for the business events sector? How do you communicate sustainability at a time of growing scepticism? These are the kinds of issues that will be debated, explored and challenged throughout the Forum. There is also a strong practical element. People share what has worked, what hasn't, and how programmes can be improved. A lot of the value comes from that honest exchange of experience.

We're also working closely with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which is currently revising its standards for sustainable destinations. The Forum provides a unique opportunity to bring destinations together and contribute directly to that process. Perhaps the most exciting aspect, however, is that not everything is predetermined. The Forum is designed to create the conditions for unexpected outcomes. New ideas, collaborations and solutions often emerge from the conversations themselves, and that's exactly what we're hoping to encourage.
 

The Stara Rzeźnia Euro-Region Cultural Centre, which will host the Forum © Szczecin Convention Bureau

Poland is rapidly gaining prominence in the business events sector and investing heavily in destination development. Yet cities such as Szczecin still have a very different reality from many established Western European hubs, with a strong industrial heritage shaping their identity. Why was Szczecin chosen to host this year's Forum, and what does it bring to the conversation around sustainability and destination transformation?

You've touched on exactly the reasons why Szczecin is such an interesting host destination. The city first joined the GDS-Index because it wanted to accelerate its sustainability journey and saw the programme as a way of learning and improving. In a relatively short period of time, it has gone from having very limited sustainability structures in place to actively engaging with some of the world's leading experts and destinations. They've really gone from zero to hero, and helped us fast track our sustainability programme.

The second part of the story is the city's transformation. Szczecin was historically a major shipbuilding centre, but as that industry declined, it began reinventing itself around renewable energy. The region has become increasingly attractive for wind energy manufacturing, with companies relocating production and supply chains to Poland. As a result, Szczecin is now developing into one of Europe's fastest-growing renewable energy and logistics hubs.

The venue itself reflects that transition. The Forum will take place in the former docklands, where industrial buildings have been regenerated through private investment and turned into offices, community spaces and cultural venues. One of the neighbouring buildings is a former slaughterhouse, which is perhaps an ironic setting for a sustainability event with a strong focus on plant-based food. But to me, that's exactly what regeneration is about: finding new purpose in existing places.

By bringing the Forum to Szczecin, we hope to support that journey, helping the city strengthen its sustainability ambitions, refine its tourism strategy and continue developing as a business events destination.

Sustainability has become a central part of the narrative for destinations and event organisers, but it can sometimes feel disconnected from reality. There is often a lot of rhetoric and not always enough evidence of tangible impact. Do you think the conversation is genuinely evolving from sustainability to regeneration? Is that the kind of transformation you hope to see reflected in the discussions at this year's GDS-Forum?

Absolutely. One of the most interesting examples comes from Szczecin itself. At the Forum, the destination will present its regenerative food tourism programme, which is linked to the region's agricultural sector.

What makes the project interesting is that it goes beyond tourism. It explores how the visitor economy can help drive change in other systems by creating demand for more sustainable and regenerative products, experiences and supply chains. In that sense, it is not simply about improving tourism; it is about influencing the wider agricultural system.

That is the kind of systemic change we are increasingly interested in. Whether the issue is agriculture, housing, transport or energy, the question is always the same: what role can our industry play in accelerating positive transformation beyond its own boundaries?

That thinking also underpins some of our recent work with the University of Exeter and a number of industry initiatives focused on systems change. Increasingly, the challenge is not how to make tourism slightly more sustainable, but how to use it as a catalyst for broader societal transformation.

That brings us back to the trade-offs and interconnections highlighted in the systems mapping work you're developing.

Exactly. We often talk about systemic change as if it were a straightforward process, but systems do not work that way. Change one element and it inevitably affects something else.

The challenge is that every intervention creates both opportunities and consequences. The question is not simply how to create positive change, but how to understand, anticipate and manage those ripple effects across the system.

We're still at the beginning of that journey. How do we model those relationships? How do we learn from them? And how do we make better decisions when every action has implications elsewhere? Those are some of the questions we're increasingly trying to explore.
 

"Part of the problem is that we’ve told ourselves a story that sustainability is always more expensive and more complicated than it actually is"
 

I was discussing this recently with Meet4Impact, particularly the growing concern around “impact washing,” not just greenwashing, but also exaggerated claims around social impact and legacy outcomes. Do you think our industry is becoming increasingly fluent in the language of regeneration, resilience and positive impact, without necessarily delivering the outcomes to match?

I think there is definitely an element of regenerative washing as well. Today, everything seems to be described as regenerative. It's quite interesting because, when I wrote The Regenerative Revolution white paper for IMEX a few years ago, the term was barely used. People questioned it, challenged it and, in some cases, made a mockery about that idea. Now, it's become part of the industry's everyday vocabulary.

The risk, of course, is that the term becomes overused and loses its meaning. Personally, I'm not even sure that truly regenerative tourism is always achievable. What I do believe is that we can become more sustainable and more regenerative than we are today. That's ultimately what we're trying to catalyse: real progress, rather than simply a change in language.

There is broad consensus around measuring impacts such as catering or venue operations, but far less agreement when it comes to flights. I recently spoke to Anna Abdelnoor from Isla about the need for event organisers to account for the emissions resulting from participants’ travel, particularly those from air travel. If we're serious about building a regenerative events ecosystem, can we afford to exclude one of its most significant sources of impact simply because it sits outside our direct control?

It depends on the type of event. If you're a corporation organising a sales conference, the responsibility is fairly clear. If you're running a trade show, the boundaries become much more complex. Is the responsibility yours, or does it sit with exhibitors and attendees? These are exactly the questions the industry is currently trying to address through emerging standards on carbon accounting and carbon responsibility. That's why the work being done by JMIC, Net Zero Carbon Events and others is so important.

My view, however, is very straightforward: even if an impact is not entirely your responsibility, it should still be reported. Transparency has to come first. How you choose to address those emissions is a separate question and may require different strategies and partnerships. But if aviation is a material part of an event's footprint, excluding it from reporting is neither transparent nor honest. It runs counter to the precautionary principle that underpins good environmental accounting. At the very least, organisations should be willing to acknowledge the full impact of their events before deciding how responsibility for that impact is shared.

So, despite the progress being made, do you still feel the sector struggles to translate ambition into genuine transformation?

Yes, to some extent. I think our industry has always been quite good at protecting itself and focusing on the easier issues. As I often say, there's still far too much attention on the straws.

Real change requires us to tackle the bigger, more complex challenges, and we're still some way from that. Having said that, there are examples of genuine progress and meaningful transformation taking place across the sector. Is it enough? No. Are we moving in the right direction? Absolutely. Could we move faster? Without question.
 

The Szczecin Philharmonic in Poland, where the 2026 GDS-Awards will take place © Szczecin Convention Bureau

At the CityDNA Conference which I attended this year in Helsinki, some of the dominant themes among destinations were overtourism, housing pressure, affordability, and the tension between growth and residents’ quality of life. Do you expect that debate to be reflected at the GDS-Forum in Poland as well?

I think it absolutely has to be. There are many destinations doing excellent work in challenging the system and trying to lead change. However, I don’t think the wider ecosystem is moving at the same pace.

The private sector, particularly larger hotel groups and venues, is responding where there is a clear economic incentive. When it comes to organisers, especially in the events space, I don’t think the response is strong enough. Many believe they are doing more than they actually are, and there is still a disconnect between ambition, cost expectations and delivery. That gap is something the industry will have to confront more directly.

Building on that, do you think the private sector is already feeling the real pressure of this shift – whether through client demands, cost structures or operational constraints – or is sustainability still more of a narrative than a tangible economic driver at this stage?

I guess part of the problem is that we’ve told ourselves a story that sustainability is always more expensive and more complicated than it actually is. That may have been true in the past, but it is increasingly less so. In many cases, simple shifts are now cost-neutral or even cheaper, whether it’s local sourcing, seasonal food, or even basic materials like signage.

We need to move away from that binary thinking. The real shift now is about resilience. Destinations and businesses that invest in their own energy systems, local supply chains and circular approaches are becoming more competitive, not less. Sustainability, resilience and competitive advantage are now deeply interconnected. Some destinations, such as Helsinki or Copenhagen, already understand that, but many still measure success in purely volume-based terms, rather than in terms of long-term resilience.

If we connect that with the idea of localisation and circular systems, particularly around food and events, is there a stronger case today for building more self-sufficient, regional supply chains as a form of resilience, and potentially even as a competitive advantage for destinations?

I think so, but it depends on how it is done. What we are already seeing in some places, like parts of coastal Portugal, is that renewable energy is not just being deployed, but is actively powering industrial ecosystems. That is a real structural shift.

At the same time, there are more complex trade-offs emerging. In parts of the UK, land that once produced food is now shifting towards vineyards driven by climate change and market dynamics. It creates high-value production, but it also raises a question about long-term food resilience and security. We were reminded of that very clearly during COVID, when supply chains were disrupted, and suddenly the fragility of highly globalised systems became visible.

So, as you said, the issue is not simply whether localisation is better, but whether systems are resilient. And in many cases, circular approaches – particularly around food and local sourcing – are increasingly being seen not just as an environmental choice, but as a strategic and economic advantage. I think what has changed is timing. There is now both the capability and, in many places, the appetite to do this properly. I’ve seen it myself, and even when previous attempts struggled, suddenly the conversation lands differently today because the economics, the urgency, and the understanding have all shifted.

There is no longer necessarily a “green premium” in the way there used to be. In some cases, these solutions are simply better and cheaper. That is what makes this moment interesting.
 

"Even if an impact is not entirely your responsibility, it should still be reported. Transparency comes first."

I also remember attending a session at the last BestCities Global Forum in Guadalajara, where Alexis Kereluk (Partner at ConnectSeven Group and Regenerative Tourism Consultant of GDS-Movement), made quite a strong point in response to a question about sustainability costs, arguing that it is not necessarily more expensive. Would you agree with that assessment?

We have a golden rule in our consulting work on events: we are not allowed to increase the overall budget. That is a non-negotiable principle in every project we deliver. In most cases, that constraint actually drives efficiency. The only situation where additional cost might arise is if clients choose to invest in offsetting or in specific regenerative initiatives on top of the core delivery.

Operationally, however, sustainability should not automatically mean higher cost. In many instances, it leads to savings whether through smarter logistics, reduced waste, or more local sourcing. When it is done well, it can be at least cost-neutral, and sometimes even a net benefit. The key point is that this is not an either-or equation. It is not about choosing between sustainability and quality, or between sustainability and cost. It is about making trade-offs within a defined budget, as we already do in any event design process.

As more destinations and stakeholders adopt sustainability language, we are also seeing a proliferation of cross-industry frameworks from the Sustainable Event Goals launched at IMEX to Net Zero Carbon Events and other emerging measurement systems. Are we moving towards a more coherent and comparable system of sustainability standards, or are we still operating within fragmented and competing frameworks that do not fully align?

We need to look at the underlying forces shaping this space. On the one hand, destinations and organisations are under increasing financial pressure, with limited budgets to engage with an ever-growing number of initiatives. On the other, there is rising scepticism, concerns around greenwashing, and a clear demand for credibility and verification.

That is why governments are now stepping in. Across different regions – from EU legislation such as the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo), to the Bill C-59 in Canada – we are seeing the same direction of travel: if you make a sustainability claim, you must be able to evidence it.

We explored this in the recent white paper we developed with the European Travel Commission and NECSTouR called Proof Not Promises. The core idea is simple: it is no longer enough to make claims, organisations need to demonstrate what sits behind them in practical, measurable terms.

This is a major shift for our industry, even if it is not yet fully understood. It effectively raises the bar for what counts as a legitimate claim and pushes everything towards recognised standards.

So the issue is less about creating new frameworks, and more about aligning what already exists?

Precisely. What we are starting to see is a shift from divergence to convergence. For example, there is ongoing work to merge the Events Industry Council (EIC) and Net Zero Carbon Events guidelines into a single, more unified standard. I am one of the co-chairs of that process, and the intention is clear: simplification and alignment rather than further fragmentation.

At the same time, the EU is moving towards limiting the proliferation of new certification schemes, and instead focusing on ensuring that existing ones are credible, consistent and performing at the right level. That pressure is only going to increase. If you look at other sectors, such as forestry, you already see this model in place. There are essentially two dominant certifications — FSC and PEFC — which provide clarity and comparability. In our space, we are dealing with more than 200 different schemes across events and tourism, which is simply not “sustainable.”

Organisations like GSTC are also playing a key role here, helping to set global baselines that influence destinations, hotels and venues. At IMEX I also facilitated a meeting between the JMIC and the EIC Boards to explore how the two organisations can work more closely together and, for the first time, there was a shared recognition that greater alignment between them is not only desirable, but necessary. That, for me, is the most encouraging signal because real convergence will only happen if the key institutions in our sector start moving in the same direction.

So I think we are moving into a phase of consolidation. The question is no longer how many frameworks we can create, but how we ensure the existing ones work together in a coherent and credible system.
 

Would it be fair, therefore, to say that the industry has, until now, over-indexed on frameworks and certifications, while under-investing in the harder work of changing internal behaviours and implementation on the ground?

Yes, I think that is partly true. There is also a tendency to use complexity as a justification. We hear arguments such as “there are too many certifications” or “the landscape is too confusing to navigate.” And while there is some truth in that, it is also often used as an excuse for inaction. The reality is that there are clear, established frameworks in the market today that organisations can adopt immediately. Many of them are accessible, practical and not prohibitively expensive.

So the idea that nothing can be done until the system is simplified is simply not accurate. In many cases, it is less about the availability of tools and more about the willingness to start using them. Ultimately, destinations and organisations that see themselves as stewards of place need to take ownership of that responsibility rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

So where do you see the real bottleneck today – knowledge, leadership, or accountability?

Leadership. The knowledge is already there; it just needs to be better packaged and applied. Accountability also plays a role, but it is not the main barrier. The real issue is alignment and that comes from leadership. We need to come together around a shared direction and demonstrate it collectively. That is exactly what the “Better Together” idea is trying to capture.

Let’s turn to the Net Zero Carbon Events Academy. It seems to be another tool aimed at strengthening capability across the system essentially equipping the business events ecosystem to move from commitments to implementation. Do you see this as a missing link, particularly in terms of education and practical delivery?

The Net Zero Carbon Events guidelines are strong; they are very solid. The challenge is not their quality, but their reach and application. At the moment, there are over a thousand signatories, but far fewer organisations that have actually translated them into structured plans or implementation programmes. That is the gap we are trying to address.

What we have done with the Academy is take that existing foundation and make it more accessible. We have developed a set of core courses (with more to come) and built the structure to expand into more adaptive, technology-enabled learning over time. The idea is to provide a common baseline of knowledge across the industry. Around 80% of the content is universal, whether you are a venue, a hotel or an organiser. The remaining 20% can then be adapted depending on region or role, whether that is Asia, Latin America, or specific segments of the value chain.

So rather than creating something entirely new, we are packaging existing knowledge in a way that is usable and scalable, particularly for organisations that want to move into real decarbonisation and resilience work. Importantly, this is not just an environmental argument. There is a clear business case. You do not need to approach it from a values perspective alone; if you look at it purely in terms of efficiency, cost and resilience, the case is already there.

Finally, Guy, you’ve spent most of your career working in sustainability, including many years as Director of Sustainability at MCI Group… and I have to say, throughout this conversation I’m still not entirely sure whether you are fundamentally optimistic or pessimistic about the industry today. Looking back, how did you imagine the business events sector would look in 2026?

I would describe myself as a pragmatic optimist. Things are improving but not fast enough. I have been studying a lot of science and the broader trends for many years, and I expected we would see significant disruption from climate impacts, energy systems and resource constraints. Unfortunately, many of those signals are now playing out, and in some cases more intensely than anticipated.

That said, there are also clear signs of acceleration in the right direction. Geopolitical and economic pressures have, in some cases, forced a reshuffling of priorities, which is speeding up investment in areas like renewables, circularity and system resilience. We are already seeing what that looks like in practice. In Finland, for example, the shift away from fossil fuels towards near 100% clean energy is creating entirely new economic opportunities, from data centres to large-scale infrastructure investment.

And this has direct implications for our sector. Destinations with abundant clean energy can offer fundamentally different value propositions. Convention centres can operate at lower cost. Hotels with strong local supply chains become more resilient to global disruption. Even food systems can become more distinctive and innovative when they are locally anchored. So while the pace of change is still not where it needs to be, the direction is becoming clearer; and in some areas, the transition is accelerating in ways that were not previously expected.
 

GDS-Forum and Impact Day 2026: Better Together for Regenerative Cities and Destinations
 

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Association leaders looking towards Asia are increasingly pursuing the same objectives: membership growth, stronger sponsorship opportunities, and deeper engagement with regional industries. Chinese professional communities are pursuing a parallel ambition, seeking greater visibility beyond their domestic market and stronger links with international peers. Hong Kong’s approach focuses on fostering connections in both directions. During IMEX Frankfurt, Marilyn Tham, the Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) General Manager of Mega Events, MICE and Cruise, explained how the destination links international associations with the Chinese Mainland, while also helping Chinese organisations to expand their international reach. 

“We position Hong Kong as a super connector,” said Tham. “On one hand, we invite international conventions to Hong Kong and help them connect with the Chinese Mainland. On the other hand, we help Chinese Mainland congresses expand to the global stage.”

Hong Kong: A Super Connector for the Greater Bay Area!  

 

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has announced that World of Coffee Europe will take place from June 25–27, 2026, at the renowned Brussels Expo, marking the first time a World of Coffee event will be hosted in Belgium.

World of Coffee Brussels is one of five global editions scheduled for 2026, a milestone year for the international trade show series. Each event is designed to bring together the specialty coffee community to advance coffee excellence, foster business growth, and strengthen professional development through education, innovation, and collaboration.

Brussels — often regarded as the de facto capital of the European Union — is directly connected to more than 200 international destinations and linked via high-speed rail to major European cities. As a major centre for diplomacy and international affairs, the city hosts more than 2,500 global organizations, making it a strategic setting for an event spanning the global coffee value chain.

“Brussels offers an exceptional platform for international business and industry exchange,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. “Hosting World of Coffee in this globally connected city strengthens our ability to support trade, foster collaboration, and deliver value to professionals across the coffee value chain — all in service of our purpose to make coffee better for everyone.”

Belgium’s deep-rooted café culture and growing specialty coffee scene further reinforce the city’s appeal. Brussels, in particular, is known for its cultural diversity and evolving coffee landscape, from historic coffee houses to modern, quality-driven cafés, positioning it as a fitting host for a global industry gathering.

Brussels Expo, one of Europe’s leading exhibition venues, will serve as the official event location. Easily accessible by public transport, car, and bicycle, the venue will accommodate continued exhibitor growth alongside dedicated spaces for the features and activations that World of Coffee attendees have come to expect.

The SCA is also partnering with BWT water+more as the Official Event Host Sponsor of World of Coffee Brussels, continuing a long-standing collaboration across World of Coffee Europe events.

“Partnership and ‘hands on’ support are the key words for BWT water+more when it comes to events like World of Coffee,” said Dr. Frank Neuhausen, General Manager of BWT water+more. “As Event Host Sponsor for World of Coffee 2026 in Brussels, we proudly continue our support for the Specialty Coffee Association and all people working within the coffee industry. We will once again provide the best water on site for all exhibitors and look forward to meeting partners from across the coffee chain. Our professional water optimization solutions support every effort in creating the perfect cup of coffee.”

World of Coffee Brussels is expected to attract thousands of coffee professionals from across Europe and beyond, creating opportunities to connect, collaborate, and explore the future of specialty coffee. The SCA is currently accepting booth applications from prospective exhibitors.
 

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Yokohama has been selected to host the 2028 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM 2028), one of the world’s leading international conferences in brain science, further strengthening the city’s position as a global hub for international conventions and academic exchange.

The meeting will take place at PACIFICO Yokohama from June 18–22, marking only the second time the event has been held in Japan.

OHBM is a premier international academic society in the fields of brain imaging, neuroscience, and neurological disease research. Its annual meeting attracts approximately 3,000 researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry representatives from around the world. OHBM 2028 will be organised in collaboration with the Japan Human Brain Mapping Society.

The Yokohama City Visitors Bureau (YCVB) and PACIFICO Yokohama supported the successful bid led by JHBM, in partnership with the City of Yokohama and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). The win reflects years of coordinated collaboration among local hotels, cultural venues, restaurants, and other city stakeholders.

Yokohama was selected for its strategic location, strong reputation as a centre of science, technology, and research, its commitment to sustainability, and its large-scale convention infrastructure at PACIFICO Yokohama, supported by a wide range of nearby conference facilities.

Professor Hiromasa Takemura, chair of the JHBM OHBM2028 Bidding Committee and professor at the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, commented: “JHBM has worked for many years to bring the OHBM Annual Meeting back to Japan, and we are truly delighted that Yokohama has been selected as the host city for OHBM 2028.”

Event Details
Event Name: 2028 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM 2028)
Dates: Sunday, June 18 to Thursday, June 22, 2028
Venue: PACIFICO Yokohama
Expected Attendance: 3,000 on-site participants (including approximately 2,500 from outside Japan)
Organiser: Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM)

The role of the YCVB is to employ the wealth of resources existing in the City of Yokohama and Kanagawa Prefecture to promote the region as an ideal destination for both tourists and international conventions. In this way, the YCVB is contributing to the reinvigoration of the City of Yokohama and surrounding areas, and the advancement of its globalisation.
 

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After seven editions dedicated to advancing France’s river and waterway tourism sectors, Sloww! is preparing for its most ambitious edition yet. For the first time, the event will take place in Paris, bringing together industry leaders, destination stakeholders, investors and tourism professionals at CNIT Forest, Paris La Défense, on 2–3 February 2027.

Organised by Entreprises Fluviales de France (E2F), with the support of Voies Navigables de France (VNF) and Centaure Live, the move signals a significant evolution for the event. More than a trade gathering, Sloww! 2027 aims to position itself as a strategic decision-making platform where the future of river and waterway tourism will be discussed, shaped and accelerated.

The organisers believe the timing is particularly relevant as destinations, operators and public authorities increasingly look towards sustainable tourism models and alternative forms of travel.

“River and waterway tourism is one of France’s greatest natural and cultural assets. Sloww! 2027 offers a unique opportunity to bring together all stakeholders in this sector around a shared goal: to make waterway tourism a pillar of tomorrow’s sustainable tourism, ”Jean-François Rial, President of Sloww! 2027.

For Didier Leandri, President of Entreprises Fluviales de France and Commissioner General of Sloww! 2027, the Paris edition represents a defining moment for the sector’s development.

“Sloww! 2027 marks a turning point for our sector. By scaling up and moving to Paris, we are affirming a collective ambition: to structure, accelerate and project river and waterway tourism at the heart of national and territorial economic dynamics. This event must be the moment when all players in this ecosystem come together to build its future.”

A Growing Tourism Segment

The move comes as river and waterway tourism continues to gain momentum across France. Over the past decade, the sector has experienced sustained growth, with annual increases estimated between 5% and 7% in the river cruise segment and even stronger performance across broader waterway tourism activities.

In 2025 alone, nearly 11 million passengers travelled on France’s rivers and waterways, with 97% of the available fleet in operation. These figures underline the sector’s growing importance not only as a tourism product but also as a contributor to regional development, local economies and sustainable mobility.

With more than 8,500 kilometres of navigable waterways, France remains one of Europe’s leading destinations for river tourism. By relocating to Paris La Défense — Europe’s largest business district — Sloww! is seeking to strengthen its international profile while attracting new investors, buyers and strategic partners to the sector.
 

Networking, Innovation and Business Opportunities

Designed as a meeting point for the entire ecosystem, the two-day programme will combine strategic discussions with practical business opportunities.

Delegates can expect a mix of plenary sessions, workshops, roundtable discussions and pre-scheduled business meetings, alongside networking events including a VIP cocktail reception in central Paris. Educational tours across the waterways of the Île-de-France region will also provide participants with first-hand insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Organisers expect more than 1,000 professionals to attend, generating over 3,000 business meetings and bringing together more than 100 exhibitors from across the river tourism value chain.

Jean-François Rial to Lead the Event

To reinforce the event’s growing ambition, organisers have appointed Jean-François Rial as President of Sloww! 2027.

A prominent figure in French tourism, Rial is Chief Executive Officer of Voyageurs du Monde, former President of Paris Je T’aime, and has served on France’s Interministerial Tourism Council chaired by the Prime Minister. His involvement reflects the increasing strategic importance of river and waterway tourism within the broader tourism economy.

As the industry continues to expand and destinations seek more sustainable visitor experiences, Sloww! 2027 is positioning itself as a platform where tourism development, investment and innovation converge around one of France’s most distinctive tourism assets.

Sloww! 2027 at a Glance

• 2–3 February 2027
• CNIT Forest, Paris La Défense
• More than 100 exhibitors
• More than 1,000 industry professionals expected
• Over 3,000 pre-arranged business meetings
• Ten conference sessions
• VIP cocktail reception for 500 guests
• Educational tours across the Paris region’s waterways

Registration for exhibitors and visitors is now open through the official event website.
 

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The Poland Convention Bureau (PCB) has entered a new chapter with the appointment of Aneta Książek as Director on 27 May 2026. While the decision follows the recent organisational restructuring of the Polish Tourism Organisation (PTO), it also formalises a leadership role that Książek has effectively embodied for years through her work in shaping Poland’s position within the global meetings and events industry.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of Poland’s business events sector, Książek has spent nearly two decades helping strengthen the country’s reputation as a competitive destination for international meetings, congresses and incentive travel. Her career has been defined by a strong focus on destination development, industry collaboration, sustainability and innovation—areas that have increasingly become central to Poland’s international positioning.

A firm believer in long-term vision and partnership-building, she often cites the words of Confucius as a guiding principle: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” The philosophy reflects an approach that has characterised her work throughout the years and continues to inform her leadership of the bureau.

Książek joined the Polish Tourism Organisation in 2008 as a Senior Conference Specialist and spent a decade contributing to the growth of the country's meetings industry initiatives. In 2015, she further expanded her international perspective during a ten-month assignment at the PTO office in Brussels, where she promoted both Poland’s leisure tourism offer and its growing business events capabilities.

Since December 2022, she has led the Poland Convention Bureau as its Head, overseeing a period of strategic expansion marked by strengthened international partnerships, enhanced promotional programmes and a growing emphasis on sustainable destination development. Her appointment as Director is therefore seen by many industry observers as a natural continuation of that trajectory.

International recognition followed in 2025 when Książek became the first representative from Central and Eastern Europe to receive the prestigious Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Award. Presented annually since 2003 in collaboration with leading industry organisations, the award honours individuals whose work has made a lasting contribution to the global meetings and events sector through leadership, innovation, sustainability and talent development.

Reflecting on both the appointment and the future of the organisation, Książek highlighted the significance of the years ahead for the bureau: “We are gradually preparing for the 25th anniversary of Poland Convention Bureau, which will be celebrated in 2027. Over the past quarter of a century, Poland’s meetings industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a niche sector into a significant contributor to the national economy. A key element of this transformation has been the development of modern conference and exhibition infrastructure, alongside the establishment of city and regional convention bureaux and industry associations.

It is a privilege to be part of this journey, but it also comes with responsibility for the future. In the years ahead, the Poland Convention Bureau POT team will continue to strengthen Poland’s leadership position in Central Europe through international promotion, strategic partnerships and the development of support mechanisms that facilitate the attraction of international meetings and events. I would like to thank the leadership of the Polish Tourism Organisation for the opportunity to continue this mission.”

A Small Team with a Growing International Presence

Despite its compact structure, the Poland Convention Bureau has become one of the most visible destination organisations in Central and Eastern Europe. Alongside Książek, the team includes Magda Mazgaj, Jarosław Marciuk and Wojciech Norkowski, who joined the bureau in early 2026.

Together, the team has helped build a recognised international profile for Poland within the meetings industry, combining destination promotion with practical support programmes, industry advocacy and strategic partnerships.

Strengthening Poland’s Position on the Global Stage

Poland’s rise as a leading meetings destination has been built through consistent investment, coordinated industry efforts and a clear long-term strategy. Under PCB’s guidance, the country has increasingly focused on creating distinctive destination experiences while supporting event organisers through a range of promotional and operational initiatives.

Recent years have seen the relaunch of the National Support Programme in cooperation with LOT Polish Airlines, the introduction of the Promotional Support Programme for Meetings and Events, and the continued development of flagship initiatives such as the Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme and recommendation schemes designed to support event organisers.

Education and capacity-building remain key pillars of the bureau’s work. Programmes including Spotlight on Poland, Laboratorium Twórców and Destination Poland Green Academy have been developed to equip tourism and events professionals with practical tools and knowledge, particularly in the field of sustainable destination management.

The organisation has also taken a proactive approach to accessibility and inclusion. Projects such as the mobile Low Sensory Show Room reflect a growing commitment to creating event environments that are more welcoming and comfortable for all participants.

At the international level, Poland continues to strengthen its presence through active engagement with organisations including ICCA, UIA, PCMA and SANCBE. The country has also secured a series of high-profile events in recent years, among them the ICCA Congress 2022, the GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026 and Aviation Connect 2026.

As Poland Convention Bureau approaches its 25th anniversary, the appointment of Aneta Książek signals both continuity and ambition: continuity in a strategic vision developed over many years, and ambition to further elevate Poland’s standing within an increasingly competitive global meetings marketplace.
 

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