The last three years have undoubtedly instilled a steep learning curve in the world of meetings and events. At the height of the pandemic, virtual events became the new normal and organisers relied on event technology to create more effective online strategies to deeply involve attendees and complement their programmes with the hybrid element.
However, as time went by, it became clear that this vision didn't fully convince delegates, planners and sponsors, in certain areas especially when engagement and day-to-day work was one of the main requirements - the dream of seamless online networking turned out to be less successful than expected, and digital interactions have not lived up to expectations.
As an association, the amazing thing is that you can draw people who care about a specific issue or cause to come together around an initiative or impact and create that experience personally. This makes it possible to forge very close ties, create networks and share a lot of education. All these event tech tools are here to help you expand your mission and purpose, broaden the scope of action, and innovate in areas why our operations were really rusty.
Take, for example, the Kaya digital learning platform, developed by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and born out of the need to strengthen the skills of humanitarians worldwide to respond directly to crises in their localities. Or the 9th Round Table of the Asia-Pacific Associations of the UIA, held in Tokyo, presenting a unique demonstration of new robotic telepresence avatars, which were an effective solution for managing international conferences in a hybrid format.
In this issue we interview DOT Europe, representing companies offering products and services on the Internet at European level, and taking part in the main political debates affecting the digital sector and an innovative, open and secure Internet for citizens and organisations. We also spoke to Bob Vaez, CEO and founder of EventMobi, one of the largest event software providers on the market, which has focussed on creating event applications that enable digital interaction, and a do-it-yourself approach to managing hybrid planning.
And why not also read an essay by our HQ editor, Jesús Guerrero Chacón, delving into the twilight and unpredictable world of artificial intelligence as a transformative force for professional associations and events? That's right, this issue of HQ on Tech & Education explores the world of technology between AI, hybridity, data management, cybersecurity and the ethical use of these powerful tools. Stick around...
Today, associations increasingly wish to recognise the strategic importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a management discipline, working to incorporate a wide range of demographic groups into their staff and Boards. The major challenge currently facing global associations is not about practicalities - it is about values, and it is impacting them on several levels.
Firstly, having a clear values framework is a "minimum level of service" if an association wants to attract members belonging to any generation younger than the millennial generation. Secondly, having a value framework in place is one thing, defining the DEI impact for the association and its members is another.
Diversity is about the kinds of differences we can experience with each other. The visible ones (ethnicity, binary gender, age) and the invisible ones (non-binary gender, religion, culture, beliefs, etc.); it also concerns the mix of differences between people: demographic (age, religion, gender, sexual diversity), physical abilities, as well as differences in character, level of education, areas of expertise, organisational culture, etc. In short, diversity concerns all the differences between people.
Take, for example, our ‘Association Profile’ Inclusion Europe − an association that fights for equal rights and the full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the European ecosystem. The main issues they grapple with continue to be education, accessibility, voting rights, employment and health care, as well as the right to decide and non-discrimination.
Or the World Parkinson Congress held in Barcelona which was a shining example of how an event can educate society and train frontline staff to accommodate delegates with Parkinson’s disease. Or even Osaka, which will become the first city in Asia to host the IGLTA Global Convention 2024, demonstrating a leadership position in the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community and a commitment to discrimination-free travel spaces and experiences.
In this issue we find three Australian convention centres explaining how they have adapted their services and event proposals to the needs of their First Nations and Aboriginal culture, while our association friend David de Alves describes what he saw at Sydney's Worldpride Human Rights Conference, which connected people from many walks of life and provided spaces where differences dissipate and opportunities arise.
Diversity is an important consideration in the workplace as it helps improve creativity, innovation, and cultivate problem-solving abilities, and can help to create a more inclusive work environment. In Headquarters Magazine, we will continue to lead the conversation, ensuring that inclusion remains at the heart of the associations' focus, highlighting the great value we see in opening up spaces for all, which ultimately has an impact on society as a whole.
Read more about Sarawak's characteristics as a must-visit MICE destination, how they overcame the downturn in event gatherings during and after COVID-19 and what steps they have taken for the post-pandemic resumption of events.
Discover in this guidebook updates on Sarawak's accommodation and meeting spaces, legacy standards, the region's industrial ID and sustainability measures.
Everything grows, everything changes, and so can everything survive; this is also the case for the values that preside over a society. Even if they follow a constant pattern, the changes that occur in a society are usually very slow. For starters, to assume that “sustainability” means the same as “environmentalism” may come in good faith but couldn't be more wrong. Ask 20 people on the street if they have heard of or know what 'regeneration' or 'circularity' means, and we think you would be amazed at the answers!
Sustainable development rests on three fundamental pillars − social, economic and environmental − which interact with each other, often influence the outcomes of each and undoubtedly move contiguously towards the same desired impacts – a circular economy. It is clear that a more expressive commitment to environmental sustainability is emerging, not only among delegates and travellers, but throughout the industry chain and association network.
However, the path that leads to a sustainable initiative can include unforeseen but truly interesting shortcuts. On our trip to Tallinn last month, we were able to see how the community and local authorities have reclaimed old Soviet factories to transform them into multi-purpose precincts, small business blocks and museums. What could be more socially sustainable than this?
We could also see that some of the major Swiss convention centres are making sure through their national Swisstainable programme that supply and first services are purchased from local and environmentally responsible companies. Isn't this an excellent proof of economic sustainability?
As one of our interviewees from Kenes this issue puts it, "when we currently hear about sustainability, attention seems to focus only or mainly on green issues such as recycling, carbon footprint and waste management. However, the topic of sustainability goes beyond the green discourse and encompasses other objectives such as gender equality, responsible consumption and production, quality education and health and well-being."
In the sphere of associations, the ICCA 2023 survey reveals that the majority of respondents (83%) express a trend towards more sustainable events in their requests for proposals, even if lack of funding, resources, in-depth knowledge and buy-in from boards limit this steady path. Either way, MICE requirements are increasing in terms of sustainability and associations that rely on them going away will pay dearly by 2030!
Several international studies show that business travellers generally spend on average three times more than an international tourist, and also stay longer than the average tourist. It is no wonder that most governments want a piece of this action and move their resources strategically towards association campaigns and bidding for large congresses.
As we will see on the following pages from the pen of our contributors, event sponsorship is a great way for associations to receive support from companies and to score valuable partnerships in terms of funds and publicity. There are various types of event sponsorship that you can choose for your business. These include financial sponsorships, in-kind sponsorships, media event sponsorships, and influencer and content creator sponsorships.
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Singapore’s astonishing breakthrough tells the story of a once sleepy fishing village that has defied the odds to become a world-class metropolis at the forefront of the MICE industry.
With its innovative business environment and vibrant multinational culture, Singapore stands out as a leading Global-Asia node for MICE and business, drawing on an extensive network of human capital, suppliers, innovation, technology and ideas to host world-class business events.
Singapore’s collective efforts to maintain its position as one of the safest cities in the world reveal a firm commitment to cyber-security, social stability, health, modern infrastructure and personal safety. Over the decades, the country has earned a global reputation for delivering high-quality events and for generating meaningful conversations.
Guarantees that allow event organisers and planners to focus solely on the success of their event with peace of mind.
Discover in this guidebook updates on Singapore accommodation and meeting spaces, hybrid platforms, the city's industrial ID and sustainability tips.
Throughout the pandemic, the city of Seoul remained active and committed to supporting its local industry partners and overall environment. The South Korean capital has flourished over the years as an East Asian cultural reference with first-class architecture, renowned museums and an influential art scene making it a model for many international cities.
Seoul Convention Bureau (SCB) has stepped up to the plate with a wide range of resources aimed at offering comprehensive assistance to events hosted in the Korean capital, from cross-cutting event platforms to cutting-edge team building programmes.
SCB together with the Seoul MICE Alliance also presents in this supplement its revamped version of PLUS SEOUL 2022, a customised business event experience that aims to bring greater satisfaction and fulfilment to event organisers.
Discover in this guidebook updates on Seoul accommodation, alternative hybrid platforms, the city's industrial ID and wellness and health recommendations.
The word “cyber” comes from the Greek word “kubernétēs” meaning helmsman, governor, pilot or rudder. In the cyber domain, a (cyber) system can be a computer network or a human body. Cybernetics is about communication and how information circulates in a system.
Most of the initial notions we had about the arc of cybersecurity and data protection in the events industry could be perfectly dismantled at the close of the editorship of this September’s edition. That’s why we went back to the classroom, did our homework, and went to talk to some experts.
For this edition of HQ #106 we have brought together four interviews to cover the different angles of the subject: Luigi Rebuffi, secretary-general of ECSO; cyber-security expert Robert McClure, managing director of Sequrest Paratus OÜ; tech entrepreneur Ohad Twig, CEO & co-founder of Booth Guru; and Stefan Hartman, researcher of future scenarios at the European Tourism Futures Institute.
Cyber-risk incidents can have operational, financial, reputational and strategic consequences for that organisation, and are particularly severe when it operates on critical infrastructure − prompting its leaders and CISOs to improve existing measures, and turning the tables in favour of cybersecurity and risk mitigation strategies.
The proliferation of big data, on the other hand, is a subject where our interviewees are divided on the current monetisation − simply having information is not enough to use it effectively − but who agree on its incredible potential and competitive edge for global destinations to transform the fortunes of their businesses, events and communities.
Don’t miss all these stories and the different points of view of our contributors.
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In this renewed new world for the global meetings industry it is time to reconnect and wake up to the new trends and services that partners have to offer. We are now at the point where partnerships have to be redefined due to unexpected circumstances: pandemics, war and food shortages.
Business events are powerful platforms for real change, cross-sector collaborations, greater community engagement, and better policy development with long-term and positive benefits. We need to ask ourselves again who we can consider as potential partners. If the expectations of planners, organisers and delegates have evolved rapidly as the industry recovers and events call for other programmatic solutions, then it will be time to listen first-hand to what associations have to say in their RFPs.
This HQ #105 brings you several 'Partnerships for Growth' stories, expert interviews and actions taken by destinations at the top of this agenda. In this month's HQ Essential, we talk to Caroline McLaughlin about the role of the AVPN and we went to Budapest to attend the annual AIPC conference. We visited conference destinations that are scoring points with their local networks, such as Athens, Sarawak or Australia. There is also no shortage of strong opinions from our partners with Mark Levin's perspective on building partnerships, going local with the World PCO Alliance and positive change and strategic partnerships from the pen of Martin Boyle of IAPCO.
Taking a more competitive outlook ultimately leads to more effective collaboration. If an association can truly change a destination’s industry forever, a convention bureau can also significantly influence an association’s thought process. So, don't be afraid to partner up!
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While the pandemic has forced us to work from home and constant travel has been reduced to the bare essentials, sustainability has taken on a new life beyond footnotes. This significant reduction in the carbon footprint has coincided with a new sense of corporate responsibility towards the sustainability of events, business travel and association ethics.
Sustainability for events means taking action to preserve our natural environment, promoting a healthy and inclusive society and supporting a thriving economy. Making events sustainable is essential for success in today's meetings and conferences industry, as it has become increasingly important as an evaluation criterion for meeting organisers, DMCs and venues as part of the bid proposal.
This HQ #104 brings you several concrete examples of environmental action, interviews with experts and initiatives carried out by destinations at the top of this agenda. In this month's HQ Essential we talk to SolarPower Europe and Social Economy Europe about these ideas from the associations' perspective. We visit conference destinations susceptible to these measures such as South Africa, Thailand or the Austrian region of Tirol. There is also no shortage of strong views from our partners on lessons from COP26 (AIPC), viable models for associations (Kenes) and positive and lasting change through events (GDS Movement).
How to articulate destination marketing with sustainable features applied by hotels, convention centres or restaurants? How to integrate environmental concepts in associations and how to convince members that profit and sustainability can go hand in hand? How can industry leaders and political authorities support and strengthen services and products that promote, vis-à-vis, the ecology and sustainable development of their cities? See the answer to these and more questions on the following pages.
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2021 was a year of many apprehensions, inquiries, and studies, but it was also quite enlightening with regard to such hot topics as sustainability, digitalisation, and the legacy of the meetings. The coming year will be quite challenging and a test bed for many of the findings that have emerged during these months, even if security and physical meetings measures remain unscathed.
More than a chance to start over from the scratch, what lies ahead points to a much broader discussion about an innovative business model that will affect associations and destinations. How will we co-opt new financing schemes to feed this supply chain? Will destinations be willing to give up their old sales strategies? Are associations prepared to offer new services and integrated solutions to their membership?
These are the questions we try to address in our HQ #102 issue partially dedicated to the financing and sponsorship of the global events industry. Our cover story features an interview with Visit Norway about the efforts and crisis management that have taken place in the Scandinavian country since the pandemic began. We also talk to the general manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre about the importance of lobbying for the industry's value and its benefits to the local community.
In the chapter for associations, we share variations in the sponsorship industry and the impact of technology companies with the European Sponsorship Association, and new opportunities for live marketing and event services with the giant VOK DAMS. Don't miss also the regular insights from our partners (Interel, Kenes, ECM, Mark Levin, etc.) and our stories from around the world this time taking us to the city of Porto and North of Portugal.
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To cope with these transformations, MEET TAIWAN has launched a new project in order to reform Taiwan's MICE industry. The prefix "re", meaning to come back or again, is the highlight of MEET TAIWAN's new programme - Re-Fresh Taiwan - representing a fresh start for a new ecosystem of local events on an international scale.
Together with increased vaccination rates, these measures demonstrate Taiwan’s resilience an commitment which has enabled people to quickly return to their normal live with safety and business to prosper again.
Discover the green strategy, the support programs, and the various regions and destinations of this island nation, in this special supplement prepared by HQ.
Coming from an atypical summer that has served as a much-needed relief from the tension and anxiety felt throughout the industry, we are starting to get some positive signs everywhere that point to a slow but solid recovery - at least more than meets the eye.
Business travel is climbing the tourism ladder, destination marketing is on the rise, and the membership community is looking for new (and old) opportunities to get together again and re-establish its schedule of events. But how to optimize all those impressions and leads that make us take serious decisions in times of crisis, compare scenarios and resume our business strategies?
Let's talk about Data, shall we? In this issue number 101, we set off the importance that data management and its licensing represent for the effectiveness and everyday life of associations, MICE bureaus, DMO's and all professionals that fill our industry.
We have two exclusive interviews with the German Convention Bureau's new groundbreaking project, Future Meeting Space, and the European smart cities network, Sharing Cities. We kept the conversation flowing about the best destinations and venues around the world, especially at the tech level, and looked into Data at the last ECM Summer School.
We also introduce MESA, a new event support association, and talk about leadership with the International Leadership Association. So don't forget: own your data and make it count - it's sure to be the biggest trend for the return of the 2022 events.
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One hundred is a number with many meanings. For example, turning 100 is something many people dream and look forward to, but one hundred can also mean that something is completed, done, over. For Headquarters Magazine, it means that the July 2021 issue is an unforgettable milestone, but not the last. Once upon a time we started with issue number 1, the beginning, the launch of a magazine specifically for international associations based in Brussels. And now, here we are... time flies!
In this #100 issue, we premiere the 2021 AIPC Member Survey Results on growing trends in convention centres, and unveil eight facts associations need to understand for successful future meetings. We spoke with Liz Ortiguera, the new CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and tried to figure out why event technology providers skyrocketed in the last year.
We showcase the latest projects from all our partners, from the GDS Movement, through the European Cities Marketing to the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers. We covered destinations such as Thailand, Porto and Houston, and learned how events are slowly returning to venues like the Adelaide Convention Centre or ACC Liverpool.
Also, don’t forget to read the exclusive interview with journalist and social scientist Marco D’Eramo, author of World in a Selfie: An Inquiry into the Tourist Age, about the future of tourism in the digital age.
An edition packed with great content and aimed to be a summary of all chapters and segments of the MICE industry. People used to say that the “best things in life come to those who wait”. Well, if that's true, we'll be here to help you with whatever comes, stays and goes. Stay tuned!
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Innovation, science and technology are driving Australia's future and shaping the next generation of events.
Used to being seen as peripheral by the rest of the world, the oceanian country is a top reference in research and development and is taking the lead on a more sustainable and secure path for the MICE industry.
Watch these innovations stories to find out how Australians are changing the world - from leading their fields to creating entirely new ones. And discover why there's nothing like Australia for business events.
Sustainability is the topic that is on everyone's lips and HQ could not pass up this opportunity to deepen its relationship with the meetings industry. The pandemic was definitely the spark that ignited a broader discussion, but let’s not forget the leading examples that can guide us to a sustainable recovery.
This second HQ of 2021 set out to analyse the impacts and the aftereffect that business events can instigate in the environment and the associations's role in face of this transformative element.
We went to talk to the global community Tourism Declares Climate Emergency, about acting sustainably for circular regeneration; we were at the ECM online conference to report the best principles and models for destination rebuilding; we asked Helsinki why they are an example to follow in climate action; and finally, we tried to figure out the future of the MICE industry in an era that has its days numbered.
In this issue, you can still keep up with our Coronavirus sector featuring various convention centres and destination reports; in our association interview, we invited an international NGO with that advocates for environmentally friendly technical standards, policies and laws, the Environmental Coalition on Standards. Without ever forgetting our high-value association partners with their insights and projects.
In this issue 99, HQ partnered again with Interel to launch the “Women Who Advance Associations” campaign, which aims to celebrate female talent and diversity in the international associative community. Trust the Headquarters Magazine as the most reliable source of good information and industry research.
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The past year has pushed the Polish MICE industry into a new era. Venues, hotels, DMCs, PCOs and convention bureaux, successfully introduced solutions that are not only safe, but also technologically advanced and sustainable. This new reality calls for the development of new procedures, with safety and hygiene measures likely to remain the number one issue in the years to come. This is precisely what is happening now in Poland!
HQ has prepared a guidebook with the best products and offers in the "Land of the Fields", to hold your high-end events. Safety and hygiene standards and procedures when hosting your congress; support from different convention bureaux in the country; the various stories that make Poland a diversified place for any type of meeting; and high scores on smart specialisations.
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HQ Passport would be our fresh new product this year but unfortunately, given the situation we are in, we had to delay the whole process.
Since February, when we launched our debut edition dedicated to the professional agricultural sector, until today, we would have planned four more editions that effectively only resulted in this October one.
Our second Passport, "Medical & Pharmaceutical dossier", is a manifestation of our team's strength and a commitment of honor to the entire industry, in order to inform and 'opening the gates of professional destinations'.
We bring you two destination profiles and their scientific advances in the health sector (Australia and Abu Dhabi), we exchanged a few words with the World Medical Association and the European Federation for Colposcopy and invite the OIC Group to explain us how to organize a successful event in the world of healthcare.
Read our stories and expect a 2021 with many more 'Passports'. Stay safe // Stay strong // Stay with us
Contact Vivian Xu for future inquiries and partnerships at: vivian@meetingmediagroup.com ✍
Supported by the Union of International Associations (UIA), the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and the Interel Group, the global public affairs and association management consultancy, Headquarters Magazines serve the needs of international associations organising worldwide congresses.