Destinations

Just how close to a war zone would you hold your event? This is the question that is exercising the minds of event professionals in the light of the war in Ukraine.

An effort is underway to make Atlantic City a premier cannabis convention destination. There is talk of a cannabis campus that will grow, cultivate, and sell various forms of marijuana. Can weed do for AC what gambling could not?

Despite the setbacks caused by the Covid pandemic, destinations across the globe are showcasing impressive new multipurpose venues to attract international events and conventions.

Old warehouses and unused industrial spaces are finding new beginnings in so-called second-tier cities. As Baltimore invests in nine massive revitalization projects, the developments are breathing new life into the community while creating opportunities for event organizers to deliver unforgettable experiences at affordable price points.

This report ranks destinations based on representation in international association leadership. It introduces a “harnessing ratio” as an indicator of how well destinations are leveraging their intellectual capital to attract conventions.

A weeklong event in Buenos Aires acted as the unofficial relaunch of the meetings sector after the pandemic slump. But recovering lost ground — just 20 percent of the business is back — while dealing with new hybrid models could take about two years, tourism officials admit.

Arabian Travel Market Virtual starts online today following a successful 29th edition of the in-person show that attracted more than 23,000 visitors to the Dubai World Trade Centre. EventMB spoke with Danielle Curtis, exhibition director Middle East for Arabian Travel Market.

As we battle with the challenges of connecting remote workforces and the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war, venues rich in cultural heritage provide powerful backdrops that highlight diversity and help to foster human connection. 

Characterized by their agile and dynamic uses, micro-events allow planners to explore out-the-box thinking, deliver unique experiences and utilize unusual spaces — like nature.

Some destinations use large incentives to attract events with the promise of government-backed grants. Some detractors, however, argue that they’re ineffective — or so effective that they create unfair competition. Is there a place for so-called subvention as the industry edges towards recovery?