Tech
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...
SMEs signal strong appetite for face-to-face meetings, but are they spending?
New research from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) and Ipsos suggests small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on both sides of the Atlantic place a lot of importance on face-to-face interaction for growing their businesses. According to the survey of 500 senior decision-makers in the UK and US, 83% said increasing in-person engagement with clients and customers will be a key co...
there.app: The Swiss army knife of event operations?
Theo Reilly interviews Seth Kenvin about his creation, there.app – the event platform that wants to upgrade from disorganised group chats. I was recently at IBTM World. Arriving in Barcelona was a familiar scene – standing like a tourist with phone in hand, scrolling through plans and schedules. The hotel reservation was on an email, dinner plans were in a WhatsApp chat, meeting times were in a Ca...
Conferli launches Subvention Guide and global comparison tool
For many associations, destination support remains one of the least transparent elements in conference planning. Offers vary widely, definitions differ per city, and comparisons are often based on assumptions rather than facts. Yet subvention increasingly influences where, how, and even if an association conference can take place. Netherlands-based conference matchmaking platform Conferli has anno...
How to reshape events in the 2026 landscape, according to Cvent
Cvent has released its ‘Top event trends for 2026’ report, which offers a wealth of fresh insights on what is shaping our great meeting and events industry and signposts the areas that are ripe with opportunity. The new report draws on extensive industry research and Cvent’s own data to offer clear insight and perspectives as event professionals look to chart a smart course across today’s uncertai...
Cvent CONNECT Europe 2025: Innovation and connection
A look back at Cvent’s annual industry and customer conference, held in London. Cvent CONNECT Europe 2025 welcomed event, marketing and hospitality professionals from across Europe in mid-October for the company’s annual user and industry conference, held both in-person at the InterContinental London – The O2 and online. Over two days, attendees could choose from more than 60 expert-led sessions, ...
Grip introduces new AI assistant for commercial events
Event technology and AI company Grip has introduced an AI Assistant aimed at handling participant queries at commercial events. The company said the system can resolve up to 80% of requests without human support. The assistant is built into Grip’s event platform and uses existing event data, including agendas, sessions, speakers, exhibitors, meetings, and participant activity such as profile views...
ON24 enters into definitive agreement to be acquired by Cvent in $400m cash transaction
San Francisco-based intelligent engagement platform for B2B enterprise sales and marketing, ON24 has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Cvent, the meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider. The agreement reflects an all-cash transaction for a total consideration of approximately $400m. The proposed transaction brings together two complementary platforms serving enter...
SlidesLive expands US operations with new Las Vegas office
SlidesLive has opened a new office in Las Vegas. The move expands the company’s US operations, adding a West Coast base alongside its New York hub. Las Vegas was selected for its scale as a global meetings destination, allowing SlidesLive to provide on-site technical support and faster deployment for conferences and exhibitions held across the region. SlidesLive specialises in professional confere...
HBX Group teams up with Mastercard on global virtual payments rollout
HBX Group and Mastercard have launched a new virtual payment programme aimed at simplifying how travel intermediaries pay suppliers, including those supporting meetings and events travel. The programme uses the Mastercard Wholesale Programme, a virtual card system designed for high-volume B2B travel payments. It allows intermediaries to issue virtual cards for supplier payouts, replacing bank tran...
Zurich showcases innovation, winter experiences and new industry platform for MICE planners
Zürich Tourism is shining a spotlight on the city and region as a leading destination where cutting-edge innovation meets authentic Swiss hospitality, unveiling new experiences and industry touchpoints for the global meetings and incentives market. From the pioneering Zurich AI Festival and atmospheric winter fondue evenings to inspiring offsites in nearby Zug and the newly announced Zürich MICE D...
Great integrations, great expectations
Jon Benjamin, CEO of ASP Events, talks website integrations. ASP’s recently launched upgrade to its integrations framework. What does it offer clients that they couldn’t get before? JB: We’ve been developing this upgrade for quite some time, largely in response to what our clients have been telling us. It’s clear that event organisers don’t want to be restricted with what can come with a ‘one-size...