Expert Opinion
Copenhagen’s legacy vision: How business events are shaping global impact
Having met at the recent ICCA Annual Congress, I had the privilege of catching up with Gerda-Marie Rist, head of the Legacy Lab at Wonderful Copenhagen, as she discussed how connecting people, purpose, and policy is reshaping the business events landscape in Denmark and beyond. Iain Stirling: Gerda-Marie, you spent 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry working with LEO Pharma, specialising in me...
“We’re not just building facilities – we’re building a legacy”: Adam Burke on LA’s rise as a meetings powerhouse
Adam Burke, President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, spoke to CMW’s Iain Stirling recently at IMEX America 2025 about how major sporting events, infrastructure investment, and a game-changing convention centre project will reshape LA’s business events landscape Iain Stirling: I’m quite keen to get an update of everything that’s going on in LA. What...
EAA: More EU bureaucracy, or launchpad for wider thinking?
Paul Cook asks, ‘What’s the point of the European Accessibility Act?’ Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA) just another piece of legislation adding to the burden of event and hospitality professionals, or could it be something more interesting? The EAA became law on 28 June 2025. To the events sector, it means that if you’re hosting or supplying services to an event in the European Union, regar...
The overtourism dilemma: Don Welsh on rethinking destination strategies
Theo Reilly speaks to Destinations International CEO Don Welsh, who explains how destinations can beat overtourism and move towards a more responsible approach. In September, I asked a few heads of Finnish CVBs whether “mass sustainable tourism” can exist. “Right now, no” – was the response I got back. In the age of social media trends, Instagram influencers and cheap flights, how can we beat the ...
Corporate Traveller’s three key SME travel trends to get ahead in 2026
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are rethinking how they approach corporate travel in 2026, putting employee performance and competitive edge ahead of traditional penny-pinching, according to Corporate Traveller data indicators. Three key trends are driving this shift, they say: Premium economy bookings up 35% as companies realise rest drives performance 75% of SME employees now blend business ...
Leadership, innovation, and wellness: Caesars Entertainment’s vision for meetings & events
CMW’s Iain Stirling sat down with Kelly Gleeson-Smith, senior vice president of sales at Caesars Entertainment, at IMEX America 2025, to discuss a dynamic year for the hospitality giant. Gleeson-Smith shares insights into major hotel transformations, the surge of meeting demand, evolving client priorities, and Caesars’ pioneering work in wellness and sustainability. Offering a candid perspec...
Building a legacy: How Frankfurt and IMEX created the world’s most important business event partnership
IMEX isn’t just a trade show – it’s woven into Frankfurt’s identity. For over two decades, its alliance with Messe Frankfurt has elevated the city to a global hub for meetings and events, generating hundreds of millions in economic impact and attracting professionals worldwide. This collaboration between IMEX, Messe Frankfurt, and the city exemplifies how partnership and vision can shape a d...
ICCA shares its vision in Porto for transformative future of business events
The recently concluded ICCA Annual Congress in Porto, drew over 1,500 industry leaders to reimagine international meetings through sustainability, innovation, and human-centred design. The Porto Congress – spread across many venues in the city – hosted four transformative days that challenged delegates to think beyond immediate concerns and embrace long-term, meaningful impact. The programme span...
World Cup, Olympics and Convention Centre mega-expansion: How LA is rewriting the meetings destination playbook
Adam Burke (pictured below), president & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, speaks to Iain Stirling about how major sporting events, infrastructure investment, and a game-changing convention centre project will reshape LA’s business events landscape. Iain Stirling: I’m quite keen to get an update of everything that’s going on in LA. What does hosting the World...
Planting a legacy for a greener future
Iva Popova, marketing communications manager, Kenes Group, flags a project delivering positive environmental action Global PCO and event management specialists Kenes Group is celebrating 60 years advancing medical and scientific knowledge through international congresses and events with a bold reforestation initiative in Africa.The company is looking beyond milestones and towards measurable impact...
Seoul: Building Asia’s leading MICE destination
Seoul is rapidly emerging as one of Asia’s most dynamic and forward-thinking destinations for the global meetings and business events industry. At IMEX America, Conference & Meetings World (CMW)’s Iain Stirling sat down with Ms. Myunghee Kwon and Ms. Sinae Kang from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, along with Mr. Dohwi Kwak from the Seoul Tourism Organization, to discuss how the South Korean...
Ryan Simonetti: Building a multi-brand events empire
The Convene Hospitality Group (CHG) president and CEO spoke to Iain Stirling on data-driven expansion, the Mallory launch, and transforming the meetings industry IS: When we first spoke a couple of years ago, you had ambitious plans. Looking at what you’ve achieved, you’re clearly delivering on them. RS: Absolutely. We’ve opened new venues, expanded into new markets, and strength...