World
Austin’s bold vision: A convention centre reimagined for the future
Tom Noonan, president & CEO of Visit Austin, and Trisha Tatro, director of Austin Convention Center, speak to CMW’s Iain Stirling about the city’s ambitious expansion plans and what makes the Texas capital a compelling destination for business events Austin, Texas, is undergoing a transformation that few convention destinations can match. With a complete rebuild of its convention c...
San Francisco’s resurgence: A conversation with Anna Marie Presutti
San Francisco has faced its share of challenges in recent years, but the city is experiencing a significant renaissance that’s transforming its reputation on the global stage. With a new mayor driving unprecedented improvements in safety and urban vitality, a packed calendar featuring the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup, and a booming convention sector delivering over 700,000 group room nights...
ICCA represents business events sector at World Economic Forum
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) represented the business events sector at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos earlier this month. The association used the forum to engage directly with policymakers and senior government figures, including Sri Lanka’s prime minister Harini Amarasuriya and Said Al Saqri, advisor to Oman’s Ministry of Economy. Discussions foc...
Philadelphia’s convention “World Cup” has arrived
Gregg Caren, CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, speaks with CMW’s Iain Stirling about bringing PCMA Convening Leaders back to the city for the first time since 2006, why he calls it Philadelphia’s “World Cup” for the meetings industry, and how the city plans to leverage its 250th anniversary celebrations and FIFA World Cup matches to drive convention busine...
Maritz secures EIC bronze certification for Activate 2025 event
Maritz’s brand event Activate 2025 has achieved BRONZE level certification under the Events Industry Council’s Sustainable Event Standards. Activate is Maritz’s annual internal event for supplier partners and team members. The 2025 edition is the first Maritz brand event to be certified under the EIC framework. The EIC Sustainable Event Standards assess environmental and social responsibility acro...
BESydney secures record AUD$252 million in future events
Business Events Sydney (BESydney) closed out 2025 securing the greatest number of future events in a single calendar year in the company’s 55-year history. During this record-breaking year, the business events bidding specialists secured 81 business events that will attract around 59,000 delegates, staying a total of 253,000 days and generating more than AUD$252 million in future direct expenditur...
International Confex 2026: Where the events industry meets
International Confex returns on 25–26 February 2026 at Excel London, and it’s more than just a date in the calendar, it’s the heartbeat of the UK events industry. The two-day show is where deals get done, ideas come alive, and the future of events takes shape. For event planners, it’s a front-row seat to what’s next. This year, there are nine conference theatres, including Exhibition HQ Theatre wh...
Choose Chicago launches All for the Love of Chicago podcast
Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organisation, has announced the launch of the All for the Love of Chicago podcast, an extension of the wider All for the Love of Chicago initiative that began in August across Instagram and TikTok. With podcasting continuing to grow internationally – surpassing 584 million listeners in 2025 and expected to expand further in 2026 ̵...
AIME 2026 full Knowledge Monday programme unveiled
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced the full agenda for its expanded 2026 Knowledge Monday programme. Opening AIME 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Monday 9 February, the programme is built around this year’s theme, Expertise Matters!, celebrating the credibility, clarity and strategic influence that business events professionals brin...
ICCA and EarthCheck forge landmark sustainability partnership
ICCA has announced a landmark sustainability partnership with EarthCheck. The collaboration represents a pivotal step in ICCA’s mission to embed sustainability and measurable climate action across the global business events industry. Under a new two-year agreement, EarthCheck will serve as ICCA’s Sustainability Partner, reinforcing ICCA’s commitment to reducing environmental impact, strengthening ...
Thailand achieves major milestone in FY2025, securing 30 global events
2025 marked another significant milestone for the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), reaffirming the country’s status as a premier and preferred destination for MICE and major international events. Over the past year, Thailand successfully secured 30 major global events across all MICE sectors and mega-events. With conferences scheduled through to 2029, these achievements reflect lo...
“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...