#TakeTheTimeFor5 in April

Success for The Meetings Show APAC

The inaugural The Meetings Show Asia Pacific has closed its doors after a successful event.

More than 160 exhibitors, 250 buyers and more than 1,000 delegates attended the two-day gathering in Singapore, reports Meetings & Conventions Asia.

“The Meetings Show Asia Pacific represents the single largest event launch that we have ever done,” Jason Young, CEO of event organiser Northstar Travel Group told M&C Asia. “The travel industry is experiencing a period of phenomenal growth right now, and that is particularly true for the Pacific region… There are more MICE professionals at this event than any event that’s taken place in Singapore.”

The Asia Pacific MICE industry is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 7.4% by 2032, with strong momentum coming from the region’s rapidly growing economy and favourable business environment.

Read the full story in M&C Asia

50 years of building connections

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) will be marking its 50th anniversary this year with a programme of activity, including the opening of a time capsule and an event for employees.

Since opening in 1974, the venue has hosted countless conferences and events, including components of the 1988 Olympics, scientific conferences and fundraising galas.

In honour of its 50th year CTCC will unveil a mural, open a 50-year time capsule and host events for media and employees.

“Being the first purpose-built convention centre in Canada with an attached hotel and museum set the precedent for the rest of the country and 50 years later, we are still leaders in our industry,” says Kurby Court, president and CEO of the CTCC.

“Celebrating 50 years not only speaks to what we have done for the Calgary community but to our incredible employees and talent that we have retained over this time. The CTCC would not be where we are today without the resilience and strength of our team members who are the backbone of our organization.”

Legacy: The rights and wrongs

‘Are we making legacy ‘a thing’? That’s the question that will be asked, and debated, at an ABPCO event next month.

The event at the Imperial War Museum, London, held in partnership with Lime Venue Portfolio, will feature special guest, James Lancaster, editor of Association Meetings International (AMI) and writer of the viral blog ‘Are We Making Legacy ‘A Thing’, who will lift the lid on the topic and encourage wider debate on the right and wrongs of legacy.

Full and associate PCOs will get the chance to take a deep dive into legacy within the events industry by looking at what the common flaws might be and how we can put them right.

Delegates will also be invited to see ‘legacy brought to life’ through a live and interactive case study of modern legacy from an event professional from the Imperial War Museum’s research and curatorial department.

For more information and to book a place visit: Are we making Legacy ‘a Thing’? | ABPCO

ExCeL visitors are tech-savvy, eco-conscious and affluent

New data gathered by ExCeL London – the home of The Meetings Show – has revealed interesting insights into the four million visitors who come through its doors each year.

According to the insights, provided by YouGov, visitors to London’s largest event venue are more likely to be eco-conscious, tech-savvy, and highly active on social media.

In addition, the data shows that almost a quarter of attendees are Gen Z, those born after 1997 and affluent.

Jonathan Neill, partnerships director at ExCeL, said: “ExCeL attracts millions of visitors every year to London to attend events varying from cutting-edge technology and innovation, in-depth medical congresses, to immersive entertainment experiences. By working with YouGov we can become data driven and insight led, helping us to better define and engage with our audience for ourselves, our clients, and our partners.”

Boost for Bristol

The Bristol area in the UK is significantly increasing its capacity for conferences, exhibitions and events following the announcement of three major developments in the city.

New and revamped offerings include the YTL Arena Bristol with 19,000 capacity and 6,000 sqm of pillar free floorspace, which will open in 2026/27.

The new venue will join concert hall Bristol Beacon, which reopened in November last year after a five-year £131m refurbishment and the new Ashton Gate Sports and Convention Centre.

The new sports centre will sit alongside the current stadium with 4000m2 floorspace and a 232-room hotel, with work expected to start later this summer. The development will bring the Bristol Flyers Basketball team to the heart of BS3, alongside Bristol City and Bristol Bears.

Meet Bristol and Bath Convention Bureau said increasing capacities over the next two years will put the area alongside destinations such as Glasgow and Manchester for delegate capacity.

“These developments will further enhance our reputation as a destination for business events, driving new business to the region and growing our local economy,” added Helen Applin, head of business events.