News
Dublin to host Rotary International Convention in 2031 and deliver €68m boost to the economy
Dublin is to host the Rotary International Convention in June 2031. The five-day event, which will be staged in the RDS, is projected to bring up to 20,000 visitors from over 140 countries to the capital and deliver an estimated €68m boost to the Irish economy. Ireland’s 67 Rotary clubs put together the conference bid, which was supported by Fáilte Ireland, its Dublin Convention Bureau team and th...
Imagination appoints new China MD
Global experience design agency Imagination has appointed Shirley Lee as managing director of Imagination China. A former general manager, she assumes full responsibility for the business with immediate effect and will report to Patrick Reid, chairman and CEO of Imagination. Lee’s appointment follows a landmark year for Imagination China, marked by two Campaign Agency of the Year awards: Silver &#...
Olivia Breene appointed president of MPI UK and Ireland Chapter
The UK and Ireland Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has appointed Olivia Breene as its new chapter president. Breene succeeds current president, Brian Hand as he completes his term leading the chapter’s 2025 board. Breene steps into the role having already made a significant imapact on the chapter as a long-standing board member and most recently as president elect. Over ...
Destinations International extends contract of president & CEO through 2027
Destinations International (DI) the global resource for destination organisations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards has announced the contract extension of its president & CEO Don Welsh through to 31 December, 2027. Welsh and the executive committee of the DI Board of Directors mutually agreed to extend the previous agreement, which had been set to conclude at the end ...
NZICC awarded Qualmark Gold
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has been awarded Qualmark Gold under Qualmark’s Sustainable Tourism Business criteria, following an independent assessment ahead of its official opening on 11 February. Qualmark is New Zealand’s official quality assurance mark for tourism businesses, recognising excellence across sustainability, safety and visitor experience. The NZICC assess...
CEO of BESarawak steps down
BorneoTalk has reported that Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), has taken early retirement from the Malaysian state’s meetings and events bidding support agency, effective 31 January 2026. Roziman has had a 20-year career in business events and, under her leadership, Sarawak has emerged as a leading global destinations for legacy-driven business events. “Amelia’s legacy is...
ICCA announces host destinations for 2027 and 2028 Congresses
The Interntional Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), is to take its annual global Congress to Rwanda in 2027 and to Oman in 2028. The association has announced the 66th Congress will take place 24–27 October 2027 in Kigali, and the 67th Congress, will be held, 12–15 November 2028, in Muscat. ICCA is committed to collaborating with different regions for this flagship event and, by selecting...
Destination DC Global Marketplace forum explores how to keep city competitive for tourism
Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organisation for Washington, DC, convened 400 global tourism leaders at its annual Global Marketplace forum, 29 January. Attendees met to discuss international travel sentiment, identify growth opportunities and reaffirm commitment to welcoming international visitors to Washington, DC. The event was hosted at the Ronald Reagan Building and I...
Explore Brookhaven, GA, announces new home and new appointments
Georgia, US, tourism board, Explore Brookhaven has announced a slew of new staff announcements and a move to new premises at the Brookhaven City Centre. The news is likely to fuel further momentum in elevating Brookhaven as a destination for meetings and events. Explore Brookhaven has named Tim Grow (pictured) as executive director and Megan Brown as director of marketing, while David Kemp continu...
AIME 2026 ready to rock its Welcome Event at Evoqé, Melbourne
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), which returns to Melbourne, Australia, 9-11 February, has revealed the theme, location and details of its keenly anticipated 2026 Welcome Event. The big welcome will take place on Monday 9 February at Evoqé, Melbourne. Titled Aimagination, the opening night celebration invites attendees to step into an emotional experience at Evoqé on Queen St...
Belgian start-up launches platform for shared event accommodation
SplitStay, a Belgian travel-tech start-up backed by the Start it KBC accelerator, has launched a platform allowing travellers to share hotel rooms and apartments with compatible guests at events. The service targets festivals, sports tournaments, trade fairs and conferences, where accommodation costs have surged in recent years. Founder Ruben Vanhees says nightly rates around major events like the...
Melbourne wins world’s largest lung cancer conference in 2029
Melbourne is set to host the 2029 World Conference on Lung Cancer, presented by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). The world’s largest international gathering in the field, the conference will unite experts, advocates and healthcare professionals from across the globe among an estimated 6,500 delegates from 100 countries. Host venue will be the Melbourne Convention...