#Takethetimefor5 in January
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It’s not always easy to keep up with the latest industry news. That’s why we put together this monthly roundup, to provide you with a snapshot of the top stories from the past few weeks.
1. Expectations for 2024
As we kick off a new year, leading names across the business meetings and events industry give their predictions for the months ahead.
Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive, the Meetings Industry Association (mia) says ‘championing industry standards’ will be a key theme, so accreditation will become more important than ever.
“If we want to attract world-class business meetings and events, it’s essential that we market the UK as an accredited destination. A destination whereby no matter which region inbound buyers plan to host their event, they can be assured they’ll discover a wealth of quality meetings spaces featuring the finest facilities,” she says.
Multi-faceted events will be a big focus for this year, as event planners face ‘budget constraints, time pressures and ongoing challenges’ states Rafael Azzopardi, head of events, Regent’s Events.
“The lines are blurring when categorising an event,” he says, adding that venue suppliers will need to deliver events with wellbeing components, ensuring that they are sustainable and offer sufficient networking opportunities.”
Sustainability will be top of everyone’s agenda in 2024 according to Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director of The Meetings Show, TEAMS Europe and Business Travel Show Europe.
“We’ll see a more holistic approach taken by firms across the business meetings and events industry who will see value in applying a sustainable ethos to every aspect of their business – from developing and supporting staff, to building stronger supply chains, while also lessening their carbon footprint – in order to survive and grow,” he says.
2. ABPCO and Memcom announce partnership
ABPCO (The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers) and Memcom (the UK’s premier membership organisation for professional bodies, trade associations and other membership organisations) have entered into a partnership.
The two organisations said the move, which will see experts share knowledge and best practice through speaking opportunities and content provision, would ‘add value’ for their respective members.
The partnership will include contra-memberships for the ABPCO and Memcom chairs and directors, some award sponsorship and discounted entry fees for Memcom members to enter ABPCO Awards and vice versa.
“There are so many ways in which the roles of the ABPCO and Memcom membership overlap that it makes complete sense for our two organisations to work more closely together,” said ABPCO’s association director, Heather Lishman.
“I see this partnership as a brilliant opportunity to share knowledge and develop skill sets and ultimately take that experience and knowledge back to put on more successful events,” added Julian Smith of Memcom.
3. Showcase overhaul needed, research reveals
Traditional showcase events are failing to meet the expectations of 81% of event buyers, research by The Delegate Wranglers and CUSTARD has found.
Although the survey of event buyers and venues identified that venue showcases are well-attended – 87% of buyers attend them with 78% deeming them ‘essential’ to review a venue’s facilities - only 19% of buyers said the showcases they attended were impressing them.
The findings and suggestions for venues, highlighted in the Delegate Dispatches report Are the days of the showcase numbered? also found that event professionals only accept one in five of the showcase invites received each month.
As venues set aside budgets and time to host showcases in the coming year, Neil Thompson, founder and managing director of The Delegate Wranglers, said: “Our research shows that event buyers are inundated with invitations, so it’s crucial to avoid a blanket approach. Whether that’s on the timing of the showcase, through to the various approaches to the format, understanding what it is that buyers are looking for will go a long way in shaping future strategies that deliver what is actually wanted.”
To download a copy of the report click here.
4. The Meetings Show Asia Pacific opens registration
Registration is now open for The Meetings Show Asia Pacific 2024.
The show, launched by Northstar Travel Group, will debut at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on 17-18 April.
Mirroring the success of Northstar’s annual London trade show, The Meetings Show, The Meetings Show Asia Pacific will welcome global exhibitors and a pre-qualified and hosted buyer audience.
Over two days buyers will be able to meet representatives from major destinations and suppliers such as Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism New Zealand Business Events and Royal Caribbean International. There will also be an education programme and multiple chances for networking.
Entry is free for meetings and events buyers as well as media (subject to approval) and US$100 (early bird pricing) for trade buyers and visitors. Onsite registration is US$250 and may take up to 1 hour for vetting, so registering in advance is recommended.
Register for The Meetings Show Asia Pacific here
5. No likes: 25% of #eventprofs feel out of control with social media usage
Forty per cent of event professionals spend a quarter of their online time on social media, according to the results of the latest First Look Research survey by Northstar Meetings Group.
A third (33%) of respondents said they checked their social media accounts more than six times a day while 5% of meeting planners spend 3.5 hours, or more, a day on social media for work purposes.
Of some concern is the fact that a quarter of the 176 event planners responding to the survey said they were not in control of the amount of time spent on social media and more worryingly, the practice is having a negative impact on the mental health of 20% of respondents.
Social media failed to get a ringing endorsement from event professionals when it came to return on investment, with 59 per cent rating it as ‘okay’. A select few however (5%) describe their returns as ‘amazing’ and 18 per cent opted for ‘very good’. Most measured success based on the number of likes and comments received on posts.
To download the report in full click here.
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