Olivia Powell
Calgary convention venues to receive GBAC STAR
Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) and BMO Centre at Stampede Park (BMO Centre) have announced that both Calgary-based venues have achieved the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR. Under the guidance of GBAC, the venues join a group of venues that have implemented GBAC-approved protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in their facilities. GBAC STAR helps o...
The future of corporate events
Sofie Sinoo, creative manager and events expert at ATPI Corporate Events and ATPI Sports Events, discusses how digital hybrid events can deliver new levels of engagement. The events industry has undoubtedly been one of the hardest hit of the Covid-19 pandemic. Everything from the Olympics to ITB Berlin has been postponed or cancelled. With the global industry worth more than US$1trillion, planning...
MCEC named Employer of Choice fourth year running
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has been named as an Employer of Choice in the annual Australian Business Awards for the fourth consecutive year. Chief executive of MCEC, Peter King, said: “This has been a really tough year for many, and I’m so incredibly proud of the culture of support that we have built as an organisation. “Our people play a big part in that; without them we wo...
Travel safety sentiment on the rise in US, according to MMGY Global research
MMGY Global, a travel and hospitality marketing agency, has been tracking the impact of Covid-19 on US traveller sentiment and behaviours since March 2020 and finds that, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, its Domestic Travel Safety Barometer score rose above 50, indicating that travellers are “increasingly confident” about the idea of travelling. The latest findings...
Meetings Events Australia launches 2020/2021 mentor programme
Meetings Events Australia (MEA) has launched its 2020/2021 MEA Mentor Programme. With the support of Tourism Australia, the national programme aims to bring together event professionals from across the country to “connect, share and assist in the development of skills, expertise and career progression”. Mentees are ‘matched’ with industry representatives who provide advice and learning...
Australian Covid budget offers support for tourism businesses
The Australian government has announced new measures for the federal budget, including a number of initiatives which will support businesses within the tourism industry. Managing director for the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), Peter Shelley, said: “ATEC is pleased to see a number of measures outlined in the budget which will provide support across the economy and for regional tourism bu...
ASM Global to lead sponsorship partnership for Westgate Entertainment District
ASM Global, international venue management and services company, has announced that it has entered into a Billboard Lease and Sponsorship Sales Agreement with YAM Westgate, with respect to Westgate Entertainment District (The District) in Glendale, Arizona. The District is a mixed-use urban development. Upon full build completion, it will include several million square metres of shopping, dining, ...
Business events given green light across New Zealand
Business events will soon be permitted in Auckland, after it was announced that it will join the rest of New Zealand at Covid-19 alert Level 1 from 11.59pm on 7 October. Level one means that social and business restrictions will be lifted, however border controls will remain in place. It also means that domestic travel is permitted between states. Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chie...
82% of meetings affected by Covid-19, ICCA research reveals
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has released the results of its research conducted into post-Covid-19 plans. Conducted in May 2020 in collaboration with African Society of Association Executives (AfSAE ), Asia Pacific Federation of Association Organizations (APFAO) and European Society of Association Executives (ESAE), the research examined the post-Covid-19 strategies...
Tourism Australia releases immersive destination videos
Tourism Australia has released a series of immersive videos which aim to “transport event planners from around the world into the heart of some of Australia’s destinations”. Using 8D audio technology, a sound engineering treatment that, when the viewer wears headphones, gives the music and sounds a three-dimensional effect, the six videos take viewers on a journey, immersing them in th...
Lviv offers conference financial support package for 2021 events
The executive committee of Lviv City Council, in Ukraine, has announced that it has allocated 1m UAH (US$35,000) for a support package for national and international conferences held in Lviv. The support is an initiative from Lviv Convention Bureau (LCB), and aims to give “financial, expert and informational support for organisers of national and international conferences held in Lviv in 202...
ICC Sydney Connects online with new platform for organisers
The International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has launched a new online event platform, ICC Sydney Connect. It is designed to provide event organisers with complete end to end online and hybrid solutions”. The new service will be delivered by ICC Sydney’s audio visual and ICT teams, enabling clients to broadcast their online events from ICC Sydney’s studios with a customisable inte...