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Why convention centers are becoming economic powerhouses

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  Convention centers have traditionally been used for conferences, exhibitions and corporate meetings. Today they are becoming powerhouses of economic activity in tourism, hospitality, transport, retail, technology and business services. Modern convention centers can be a major growth engine for cities and regions, attracting visitors, creating jobs and stimulating investment. Past the Location A modern convention center is not just a venue to host events. “It brings together businesses, professionals, investors and visitors, creating an ecosystem of commercial activity. The economic impact of an event is often far wider than just the venue itself, with benefits spreading to hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local businesses. Driving Business Tourism Conferences, exhibitions, conventions and corporate events bring many visitors from home and abroad. Business travellers tend to spend money on accommodation, eating and drinking, transport, shopping and entertainment and ar...
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Which Countries Are Investing the Most in Business Events?

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  Business events are an ever bigger part of the global economic and tourism scene. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions are no longer seen as just a way of attracting business travellers to a destination for a few days. They generate demand for hotels, airlines, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, venues and local services, and opportunities for networking, investment, knowledge transfer and international trade. Hence countries are pouring in investments to become a preferred destination for the global MICE industry . It's no longer a contest of just having a large convention center or luxury hotels. Destinations are developing connectivity, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, hospitality and experiences that can help make international business events easier and more valuable for organisers and delegates. Many countries have become strong players in the sector. United Arab Emirates: Creating a World Business Events Hub Dubai and Abu Dhabi are leadin...
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Why Everyone Is Looking Beyond Dubai and Singapore

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  Dubai and Singapore are one of the most popular destinations for MICE . The two cities are natural choices for corporate events, with strong international connectivity , world class hotels, modern convention centres and established business infrastructure. But the MICE landscape is changing and event planners are looking beyond these traditional favourites. It does not mean the importance of Dubai and Singapore is fading. Instead companies are looking at a wider range of locations offering better value, new experiences and more flexibility. As hospitality infrastructure and connectivity continue to grow, emerging markets are offering planners more choice than ever before. The Search for A New Something. Planners are also looking elsewhere for a big reason: the desire for new experiences. Regular business travellers may have been to established MICE destinations many times. There may not be the same buzz in running another conference or incentive programme in the same city. New ...
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Are Secondary Cities Becoming the New MICE Hotspots?

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  There is no question that the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry is evolving. MICE has always been the forte of large metropolitan cities, with their international airports, large convention centres, premium hotels and established business ecosystems. But the needs of events are changing and the focus is shifting increasingly to secondary cities . Companies and event organisers want value, unique experiences and greater flexibility from non-traditional business capitals. Regional connectivity, hospitality infrastructure and event facilities are helping smaller cities to attract more professional events. Organisations are also looking for destinations that will provide more for their participants than conference rooms and cookie-cutter business itineraries. Why Big City Event Planners Are Relocating Big metro destinations remain important for the MICE industry, especially for international conventions and very large exhibitions. However, they can o...
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The Return of Executive Offsites

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  Executive off-sites are making a big comeback on the business calendar. Having been used to virtual meetings, hybrid working and online discussions at just the right time, leadership teams are now rediscovering the benefits of stepping outside their normal work environment. An executive offsite is not just an off-site meeting. It provides senior executives time away from the daily distractions of the business to discuss strategy, solve tough problems, build relationships and make decisions. That time together is becoming more important as businesses navigate changing markets, new technologies and changing workforce expectations. Why Executive Offsites Are Back In Vogue Today’s leadership teams work quite differently. It’s now possible to have executives spread out over many offices, cities or countries. Hybrid and remote working have made organisations more flexible, but senior leaders no longer communicate as casually as they once did. Updates and communications often are good i...
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How Companies Decide Who Gets Promoted

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  Business travel has always been a vital part of the corporate world. Employees travel for many reasons, from client meetings and industry conferences to training programmes, exhibitions and incentive trips. But as companies become more budget-conscious, productive and sustainable, decisions about who gets to travel are becoming more strategic. In fact, these days it’s probably not about whether the employee wants to or needs to go to an event when it comes to the decision to approve a business trip. Organisations consider the purpose of the trip, the employee’s role, expected business outcomes, cost and whether the same objective can be achieved without travel. Visit Type The first question companies typically ask is simple: Why does this guy need to travel? Different types of travel deliver different business value. An employee may have to be physically present for a meeting with a key client, negotiations for a large contract or a site visit for a project. By contrast, a vid...
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How to Organise a Successful Annual Sales Meet

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  This is no ordinary year for the annual sales meet. It’s one of the most important dates on a company’s calendar, bringing together sales teams, leadership, partners and stakeholders to celebrate wins, align on business goals and prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead. A well planned sales meet is a great platform for motivation, learning, collaboration and innovation. An annual sales meet is not just about booking a venue and preparing presentations for a successful event. Every detail, from agenda and location to activities and follow-up after the event, counts in making sure attendees walk away inspired and ready to implement. Set Clear Goals There’s a reason the sales meet is successful. First, determine what caused the event. Only then should you select a venue to host it or draft an agenda. Common objectives include reviewing the previous year's performance, launching new products or services, communicating business strategies, recognising top performers, improv...
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