Magazine Issues
HQ #119 / 'The Delegate Experience: The Good, the Bad, and the Hidden Risks'
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Body:What defines a successful delegate experience in today’s event landscape? As business events shift from transactional to transformational, HQ #119 explores the emotional, psychological, and logistical layers that turn passive attendees into engaged participants.In our May 2025 edition, we delve into the science behind experience design, featuring behavioural expert Victoria Matey on neurodesign and the power of cognitive psychology to influence delegate behaviour. We spotlight wellness initiatives showcasing new standards in mental health support and inclusive design.From ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath’s reflections on skills development and community-building, to the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins unpacking regulatory hurdles for event planners, we look at how associations are rethinking value delivery. Our PCO insight with Kenes Group discusses personalisation strategies that foster stronger member-to-delegate conversion, while CityDNA and IAPCO provide forward-looking perspectives on attendee engagement and technology integration.Destination reports from Prague, Valencia, Salzburg, Zaragoza and New Zealand highlight how cities embed legacy, sustainability, and culture into their visitor strategies. Meanwhile, the EU-funded BEFuture project redefines what a meaningful, inclusive and sustainable event legacy looks like across the continent. Our conversation with Sandy Biback of Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking offers a sobering look at the hidden risk of human trafficking in the meetings industry.Whether you're an association leader, event planner or destination marketer, HQ #119 is packed with practical insight and strategic foresight.Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-119_web-updated-5052025/full-view.htmlHQ #118 / 'Building Resilience While Climbing the Event Mountain'
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Body:Given the track-record of recent years with successive health, energy and military crises, few people in our sector predicted that 2025 would be a quiet walk in the park. Coming directly from a global pandemic and entering a technological revolution at the pace of two regional wars, international organisations and the business events sector realised that in order to establish building blocks for their members they had to return to the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) mantra.
Risk management has evolved from something ‘nice to have’ to a necessity that guarantees an organisation's survival and success. Our industry exists in and is shaped by this broader and more turbulent scenario. Associations such as EASL, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, have changed this paradigm with a strong focus on local players, greater media exposure and more emphasis on public health from their impact project (page 8).
In another in-depth interview, the state of the nightlife economy is dire across Europe, following a pandemic crisis that drove away its audience and has lasted due to rising rents, gentrification and demographic changes. In this issue, HQ spoke to the vice-president of the International Nightlife Association to find out more about the state of the sector and how to find solutions in times of crisis (page 11).
For its part, Headquarters travelled to Vancouver last February to take a closer look at the Invictus Games, providing a live demonstration of the city's inclusive events strategy (page 20). Following an internal merger that transformed the operational structure of London's business and events promotion, we also spoke to London & Partners to find out how a marketing agency became a social enterprise that supports residents and businesses (page 34).
Don't miss the various contributions from our editorial partners either, headed by AIPC's Sven Bossu on how to use AI-agents to strengthen your association's role, Mark Levin and the new challenges for the business events supply chain, and the examples of CityDNA and Kenes in working together with members in turbulent times.Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-118-crisis-management-in-associations/full-view.htmlHQ #117 / 'Hey Alexa, How Can I Promote My Association Conference?'
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Body:Technology has enabled us to achieve remarkable things, to work and learn remotely, which was essential during the pandemic. It has also made communication more efficient, instantly connecting us with people across the globe. As our regular Mark Levin tells us: “leaders in the association management understand the enormous potential of AI to improve our members' experiences. However, it will take some time to analyse its long-term effects on our organisations.
AI-generated content can be a fantastic game-changer, but there are significant downsides. Relying on AI to create your destination’s marketing content without human oversight often results in lifeless, generic descriptions that lack the unique touch and personality of a human writer. As you can read in our conversation with the MCI Group - Canada director, these applications and digital facilitators are already altering human intellectual structures in their interaction with the environment.
AI can simplify your life, automate tedious tasks, and help you quickly generate ideas, but it cannot replace human insight, creativity, and emotional intelligence. It can unlock new competences and skills so that professionals can streamline a new productivity framework. “One of the areas definitely involves the attendees’ experience at events. I feel that mass personalisation is where we shall see the most significant impact,” predicts Veemal Gungadin, CEO of the event technology agency, Gevme.
In this November's HQ #117, we try to offer an overview of this phenomenon and a future direction for this rapidly evolving cloud world with its inherent complexities and compromises. We spoke to the Gothenburg convention team about their new digital visitors guide and the need for hybrid solutions; we went to South Korea to understand how this tech-driven nation is facilitating innovation on the local events landscape from AI-powered event spaces to immersive digital experiences.
Keep abreast of trends in this market with useful insights from our technology partners, Cvent and ExpoPlatform. Don't miss the valuable perspectives from our association partners, AIPC, Kenes and the World PCO Alliance, on data management for associations, medical education through AI-powered simulation courses, and the relevance of hybrid formats in times of face-to-face meetings.
Dive into this issue to discover the ideas of our experts and explore the impact of technology on events and on your association:
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-117-how-can-i-promote-my-association-conference-through-ai/full-view.htmlHQ #116 / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Best Cases and Scenarios
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Body:One of the most urgent and inspiring changes of this decade has been the rise of ‘diversity’ as the guiding principle of our community of associations. Historically, it's been said that it takes around 50 years for a social movement to really take off, as at the start of this journey there are still many prejudices to overcome. So, in a vast ecosystem of associations geared towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness, how do you include everyone within a palette of various shades, in an equal way?
Responsible associations that listen to their members recognise the importance of parity when it comes to the inclusion needs of their delegates. The very evolution of our lifestyles, migrations, health and safety challenges, digital progress and the sustainability of labour processes have brought new challenges and puzzles to inclusion and, in a way, increased social diversity.
We have membership organisations advocating for a more accessible society towards people with disabilities (such as the European Blind Union); international organisations committed to promoting and empowering LGBT+ meeting professionals with their events (don't miss our Deputy Editor’s interview with the LGBT Meetings Professional Association); how destinations are aligning new incoming communities with the impact they have on them (read our special report with Ottawa Tourism);
We also explore alternatives for convention centres to quantify their social value and facilitate accessibility guides for event organisers (don't miss our story on ACC Liverpool Group's Social Value Plan); and even how to break down gender barriers with women leading the meetings industry in Latin America (FIEXPO 2024).
Diversity has also become an essential dimension in the workplace. At our HQ, a company based in Antwerp, we only have one Belgian employee - the rest of the team comes from China, Portugal and Spain. And that, dear reader, is the theme of this issue. In each article you read, we celebrate the beauty and power of diversity throughout our sector. The more diverse we are, the more powerful and innovative we become.
Click below to download or read our HQ #116 live:
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-116-dei-best-cases-and-scenarios.htmlHQ #115 / Sustainability or Greenwashing?
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Body:In each annual issue of HQ, we have been offering different perspectives on sustainability for associations, capturing practical examples of organisations and events that are proving to be the strategic beacon of this vital trend for the MICE industry. How are European associations aligning themselves with the European Green Deal? What new sustainable requirements are being included in bidding processes and who is bridging the gap between international associations and event destinations?
Sustainability is not really an ‘issue’ anymore. It has moved past the issue stage and into the consciousness of virtually every company, organisation, association, and government in the world. So, for your next event, start by defining your sustainability objectives, being transparent, and communicating them to all stakeholders to engage them in the process. Once clearly communicated, lead with a practical plan to implement them, and measure and report the results, which can then become a benchmark for future editions to further improve and evolve the process.
As Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP and new President of European Society of Association Executives (ESAE), tells us, “when we talk about sustainability, it’s important to distinguish between the association, its members and the sector in which it operates. What associations can do is identify measures to make the sector more sustainable, provide members with tools to support them in this, and ensure that the associations’ own activities are sustained.”
In this edition of HQ, we invite you to discover, not just browse, the many examples and diverse initiatives that highlight real efforts towards sustainability and advocacy for eff ective, sustainable practices in our industry, whether they come from convention bureaux, venues, national or local governments, congress organisers, private or public organisations or individuals. There are many great ideas to take away and apply to your organisation.
Click below to download or read our HQ #115 live:
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-115-july-entire-web-v1/full-view.htmlHQ #114 / How to Build Legacies in the Meetings Industry?
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Body:Today, associations are commonly accepted as the great unifiers of society, and the role between their sectors, groups and members follows a logic of value and representation. On the other hand, outdated models for recruiting, retaining and involving members may not survive in an increasingly demanding and ever-changing operating environment. Legacies can make a difference in this respect!
Associations clearly need to acquire a broad understanding of the benefits and added value that events bring not only to their members but also to the environment in which they operate. It's not just about setting goals and meeting them; it's about continuous improvement and constant progress towards building a better association and creating more value and impact for our members, employees and other stakeholders.
As Sissy Lignou tells us on page 37: "Legacy is a win-win long-term impact like no other, compared to other sectors, and it is a powerful argument for all meetings professionals to use when defending our activity. It is a superpower that is often not recognised by political decision-makers, but which should serve as a driving force in the defence of associations when they seek to gain recognition and support in the destinations that host their events.
In this issue of HQ, we set the tone for exciting discussion around the social, economic, political and environmental ramifications of our meetings industry, and showcase the best and diverse examples and practices for achieving them. We spoke to the heads of the International Papillomavirus Society about the ICCA Seed Fund grant allocated to their legacy programme for the 2024 conference in Edinburgh; we covered more than 60 years of growth in the business events sector with ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath; and dissected the concept of association and the multiple scenarios and common challenges with association expert Belinda Moore.
In the destinations chapter, we published the second part of the story about the social balance of Otautahi Christchurch after an environmental tragedy; we went to Slovenia to witness one of the industry's new rebels, the Conventa tradeshow; and we were under the spotlight of the 2024 Olympic Games with the Paris convention bureau. We echo the brilliant perspectives of our associative contributors, and welcome two more in this issue: Gordon Lannister's Membership World and ExpoPlatform.
Click below to download or read our HQ #114 live:
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-114-how-to-build-legacies-in-the-meetings-industry/full-view.htmlHQ #113 / Embracing Lifelong Learning & Partnerships for the Future
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Body:At a time when technology is evolving at lightning speed and global challenges are becoming increasingly complex, education and partnerships have never been more important for association executives, especially in the face of disruptive challenges and threats posed by artificial intelligence.
In the dynamic world of association management, staying relevant and effective requires a keen understanding of evolving trends in leadership development and strategic partnerships. As the traditional landscape of associations undergoes a profound transformation, association executives are challenged to redefine success and embrace new approaches to skill development and learning opportunities.
That is why creating industry partnerships not only helps determine the key skills needed to be successful in the industry, it also can identify (or create) training and employment strategies that meet the shared needs of your partners. By collaborating with industry partners, organisations can swiftly address talent gaps, allowing businesses to tap into growth opportunities, drive transformation, and expand their market presence.
In this issue of HQ, we focus mainly on industrial partnerships and the value of education and lifelong learning. It's an issue full of excellent articles, with highlights including the wide range of opportunities Brussels offers for association staff looking to improve their skills; two association interviews with Associated Country Women of the World and the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers; coverage of events such as the AIME tradeshow and the BestCities Global Forum, as well as the usual destination stories featuring Hong Kong, Colombia, São Paulo and Antwerp.Without forgetting the magnificent insights and concepts that our Association Partners bring us in the back pages... welcome to 2024 with Headquarters!Live URL:https://bit.ly/4cxyoflHQ #112 / How to Attract the Next Generation of Talent?
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Body:As we speak, in October 2023, the world is slowly waking up from a three-year sleepwalking pandemic to a reality of regional wars, galloping inflation and an environmental emergency - all of which are combining to pave the way for a slowdown in globalisation. Everywhere we go, we see posters saying "Trainee wanted".
For several years now, associatins in certain sectors have been struggling with a severe staff shortage. In this last HQ of 2023, we address one of these megatrends that, despite being of great importance for the association events sector, has been under-emphasised as a matter of concern in such a competitive market. How can we attract the best talent to our associations, train our staff and retain the best professionals?
In this regard, we would like to draw your attention to the interview with Jason Descamps, CEO of the recruitment firm Mavence. As he used to say, “Employers are the demand, candidates are the offer”. That’s because in that previous world we lived in, the clients were the demand, and the candidates were supposed to do “anything” to meet the demand... Well, not anymore, right?
On the other hand, we also visited the Academy of the Travel Management Company Wings, which, through this training camp, is trying to combat the rampant unemployment among young people in South Africa and steer their careers towards the industry. Also, not to be missed are a series of exciting articles featuring the AI, Data and Robotics Association, the event planner Melva LaJoy and her post-pandemic experiences, and a tour of Sydney.
Last but not least, a mandatory reference for our stand-out piece on Lviv, a beacon of hope in the Ukrainian war. We present you with an extensive and detailed report on how the city went from being an event powerhouse in western Ukraine to the largest humanitarian hub on the continent.
All this and much more on the button below.
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-112-how-to-attract-the-next-generation-of-talent/full-view.htmlHQ #111 / How Event Tech is changing the world we live in?
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Body: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...
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-111-how-event-tech-is-changing-the-world-we-live-in.htmlHQ #110 / Where do we stand on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?
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Body: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. At Headquarters, 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.
Live URL:https://bit.ly/3rhuVODHQ #109 / Sustainable Development Through Circularity
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Body: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!
Live URL:https://bit.ly/44PDT58HQ #108 / Association Event Legacies
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Body:What clear definition would each of us give to event "legacy"? A congress can provide an important contribution from a social perspective, but these effects are often more indirect in the long term. How do we ascertain and measure them in relation to the previous work done at a conference?What we have been reporting for our HQ readers since the beginning of this new cycle, is what distinguishes one destination from another, what are the characteristics of its ecosystems and the intellectual baggage of the city for the benefit of a conference! In turn, what approach and direction should the association take to incorporate and impact the local dimension of its event!Once these questions have been answered, the realisation of these legacies and social impacts will have a big say in the grand scheme of your events calendar. In this first 2023 issue of HQ Magazine, we tell the story of BestCities 2022 in Vancouver with sustainability as the deciding fact of their operations, asked the Hamburg Tourism Board why they bid for the upcoming International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Summits, and reflect on leadership and diversity with the Committee for European Construction Equipment.We also dug into how Belfast, Melbourne, Perth and Washington DC view the scientific and social layers of their hosted events, and talked to Euromic about the role of Destination management companies in this transition to a promising future.Don't miss all these stories and the different views of our regular contributors on the involvement of their meetings beyond the convention centre and how associations bring the world together.
Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-108-feb-for-web/full-view.htmlHQ #107 / Funding & Sponsorship
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Body: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.
In this latest 2022 edition of Headquarters, we decided to break down the concepts, terms and objectives of funding an association event in 2023 and explore new ways of sponsorship in the MICE industry. We set our eyes on two focus events taking place next year, interviewed the Brussels-based non-governmental organisation, the European Federation of Investors and Financial Services Users, and invited the consultancy firm BC&A to explain VAT taxation for sponsors.We also went to find out how Hungary, Penang and Maastricht have positioned themselves in the events and meetings industry and spoke to Sydney and Glasgow convention centres about new trends and predicaments in events organisation. Don’t miss all these stories and the different points of view of our regular contributors on new revenue streams for association and engagement for sponsors.Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:http://bit.ly/3tXB9S4HQ #106 / Cybersecurity & Data
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Body: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.
Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!Live URL:https://bit.ly/3xVXullHQ #105 / Partnerships for Growth
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Body: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!
Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://bit.ly/3bdJPOnHQ #104 / Sustainable Events
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Body: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.
Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://bit.ly/39KuHXsHQ #103 / Event Legacies
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Body:In the wake of the various structural and conjunctural transformations that the international community of associations will have to accommodate in its post-pandemic framework, 2022 is of particular importance for adjusting a new advocacy of social legacies and impacts for the meetings industry.We see a major reversal in the importance that congresses can have for society - whereas conferences used to be an important source of prestige and income, we are now seeing a shift towards more intrinsic values. For several years now, our activities have been responsible for economic and social positive outcomes that have rarely been measured, construed or even recognised.“Why is this congress taking place here?” is a perfectly fair question to ask. “What kind of legacy do I want to build with our annual event?” should be a mandatory thought for any association.
In this first edition of the year, we dive headlong into the topic of the legacies of events and the intellectual, social and economic heritage they can leave behind in the long term. In our HQ essential, we talk in detail about the projects and tools displayed at BestCities Global Forum 2021 and highlight the work of #MEET4IMPACT - also in conjunction with VisitFlanders - and the European Society Radiation Oncology (ESTRO).In the destination section, we showcase the last months of the pandemic in Iceland, Finland's congress heroes and the 100th anniversary of Messe Wien. Also don't miss our partners' solid insights around topics such as talent attraction (AIPC), digital nomads (ECM) and the impact strategy of Destination Canada by GDS Movement.Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!Live URL:https://bit.ly/3gULyHkHQ #102 - November 2021
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Body: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.
Download our physical edition right now or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-102-funding-and-sponsorship.htmlHQ #101 - September 2021
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Body: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.
Download our physical edition or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-september-digital-magazine.htmlHQ #100 - July 2021
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Body: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!
Download our physical edition or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-100-summer-edition.htmlHQ #99 - May 2021 Edition
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Body: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.
Download our physical edition or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-99-may-edition-sustainability.htmlPoland Special Destination Report
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Body: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.
Download the Polish HQ Supplement right now!
Live URL:https://bit.ly/PolandMICEreportHQ Passport #2 - Medical & Pharmaceutical
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Body: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 ✍
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-passport-no-2-medical-pharmaceutical.htmlHQ #98 - February 2021 Edition
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Body:2021 took off strongly in search of new hybrid offerings, digital solutions and event scheduling. Associations and destinations can no longer wait for an antidote in view of the business slowdown in the event industry and, therefore, several pieces have started to move on this chessboard.
This first 2021 HQ presents a series of fascinating cases among competitors and rivals such as CVBs, DMCs and digital/physical event organisers to build an industry with a new dynamic of cooperation in competition: the so-called "coopetition".
In this issue, you can still keep up with our Coronavirus sector featuring several associations and destination reports; our special feature on “Convening Leaders 2021” with some exciting on-site interviews; the online fam trip we took to Japan, and our usual HQ Essential on the value of partnerships.
In the chapter of the associative profile, we went to speak with an organization that will be vital in the months to come: the European Social Network, a growing community of more than 150 public authorities responsible for social services across Europe, and beyond.
Without ever forgetting our high valued association partners with their insights and projects. In this issue #98 we have also prepared a whole new design for you - check it out! ;)
Get on the right foot this year with your Headquarters Magazine. Download our physical edition or click the button below to access our digital version!
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-98-digital-magazine-partnership-for-growth.htmlJapan Special Destination Report
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Body:Few destinations worldwide are as alluring and attractive as Japan. With its unique combination of tradition and modernity, beautiful landscapes and ultramodern experiences, the country is a must-visit for many travellers.In this special destination report, HQ will walk you through 4 cities in Japan: Kitakyushu, Hiroshima, Toyama and Sendai. Beyond the world famous big city of Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan offers many other hidden gem destinations where event delegates can avoid crowds and enjoy the wonders of regional Japan.Moreover, two case studies are presented in the report, where the experts shared with HQ their conference experience in Japan.
Content:
P1 Front cover P2 Introduction P3-4 Interview with Executive Director of Japan Convention Bureau P5 Map of Japan P6 Kitakyushu P7 Hiroshima P8 Toyama P9 Sendai P10-11 Interviews with experts P12 Contacts Live URL:http://bit.ly/2XBLRxnHQ #97 - December 2020 Edition
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Body:The last breaths of 2020 brought encouraging reports in response to the current pandemic. Prospects for an effective vaccine being approved in the first half of 2021, are beginning to release the shackles of world society and enliven the economic recovery of our industry.
This is excellent news for our associative community but it does not avoid the pressing discussion about new trends, canons and behaviors to address the needs of the next decade. The world is changing and the most daring will change with it!
The last HQ of the year brings the theme of education to the forefront and provides several guidelines and suggestions for our stakeholders to properly prepare for what’s coming next.
In this issue, HQ compiled a list of 21 tips to guide association and meetings professionals through 2021 and beyond (page 16), drafted an in-depth article on new educational methods and training priorities for the whole industry (page 14), and carry on with the saga of international conference destinations facing the burden of this crisis (Page 8).
In addition, we went to talk to Cvent and ICC Birmingham about the digital transition and new practices to build business events again, we introduced two more association profiles to our archive (APIC and Lifelong Learning Platform) and asked the International STEM Council for an overview on the future relationship between nonprofits and event destinations.
Without ever forgetting our high valued association partners with their insights and projects.
Plenty of reasons to grab another edition of your favorite association magazine in print, or follow the link for the digital version. Happy New Year and Good Readings!
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-97-education.htmlHQ #96 - October 2020 Edition
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Body:By approaching the end of the year, we have already learned how to normalise our lives and work with the"elephant in the room" called Coronavirus.
HQ’s October edition present the MICE industry perspective, after a very strange summer for everybody.
PCOs, DMOs, event professionals, service providers, bureaus and associations had to adapt to new circumstances, resume their working cycles and engage with a whole new system - in which technology is king and innovation is a constant. Virtual events are definitely here to stay and this has enabled a very wide discussion in our industry about what tools, strategies and resources to use in a new hybrid Era.
We searched for new examples of coexistence with social distance in our section, Coronavirus Vs MICE. We spoke with the CEO of the European digital association ALL DIGITAL, the Swiss congress experts CONGREX and the innovative matchmaking platform CONFERLI.
In addition, we attended and reported from several webinars and virtual events that have stood out in recent times for putting the theme of smart meetings industry on the table.
And we also have our regular partners, with their association insights.
Don't miss this excellent issue of your favorite Association Magazine!
Live URL:https://bit.ly/HQ96DigitalHQ #95 - August 2020 Edition
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Body:Here we are again, in the middle of August, while we have already learned to normalise pieces of an apparent dystopia. No meetings, no travels, associations cut in half and new working methods streamlined at a distance.
This experience economy, to which our entire community and partners dedicate their activity and talent, remains at the rear of our possibilities, but if we reach any conclusion in HQ#95, it's this: virtual events are not a substitute for face-to-face meetings.In our summer edition, we added a new chapter to the Coronavirus VS MICE section with a long essay on the aviation sector, information on convention bureaus around the world and an interview with the digital platform, Interprefy.
In our section dedicated to associations, we looked at why your association is today more important than ever, how to prepare for post-pandemic challenges and how essential it is to have a strong brand strategy in 2020.
We had a chat with the International Live Events Association and the European Business Aviation Association and Jeffer London asked: "Are you as agile as your members?Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-95-smart-bidding.htmlHQ #94 - May 2020 edition
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Body:The Covid-19 pandemic crisis and the resulting lockdown caught us off guard and the effects were felt gigantically in our industry. Associations, agencies, bureaus, companies and other stakeholders continue to resist the pressure of the general shutdown and to reinvent new business flows and digital alternatives with ambitious returns.
It was therefore inevitable to include in this May issue a very special chapter exclusively dedicated to this outbreak and its impact on the meetings industry. There you can read exclusive interviews with various destination suppliers, the point of view of associations in their collective future and the financial consequences of the novel Coronavirus so far. Don't miss it!
Within our central topic of "Sustainability", we talked to the International Emissions Trading Association (page 6) and Future Earth (page 28) on how to guide positive changes in the era of climate action; we welcomed the CEO of Cohesion Collective, Rory Gluckman (page 44), to our pages with a fascinating article on how to manage talent in leadership spheres and went to visit wonderful places like Montréal, Zurich, New Zealand or Macao.
Without missing the joint Campaign on the 20 Women Who Advance Associations (page 40) in 2020 in partnership with Interel.
Enjoy // Stay Safe // Stay Home
Live URL:https://www.flipsnack.com/8B6DFADEFB5/hq-94-sustainability/full-view.htmlHQ launches PASSPORT
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Body:Let us introduce you to our latest product: what you need in the mission towards your next event.
It will be ‘opening the gates of professional destinations’.
That’s why we called it ‘Passport’.
Every branch of industry is a gateway and there are thousands of them in the world of associations. We hope to help associations go through the right passage to a leading destination in their field.
We will be opening many of these gateways for organisers of conferences to show the way, with regard to how congresses and specialised conferences can be the beginning of a brand new economic asset.
For this time and first edition, enjoy your trip in the world of agriculture!
Contact Vivian Xu for future inquiries and partnerships at: vivian@meetingmediagroup.com ✍
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