19 November 2024: The IBTM World Forum for Advocacy, in partnership with The Business of Events, brought together 80 senior leaders and policymakers from around the world on Monday, to discuss various issues related to communicating the economic and social impact of global business events.
The Forum, which took place at the Torre Melina Gran Melia Hotel in Barcelona, sparked insightful and thought-provoking debate from the outset.
PCMA President Sherrif Karamat set the tone by challenging DMOs to reinvent themselves as ‘Destination Stewards’. He stressed that the business events industry needs to lobby beyond the Minister for Tourism so that all government departments understand the impacts of job creation, education and innovation.
Next, a discussion on the findings from the latest Global Destinations Report, produced in collaboration with SFA Connect, ICC Belfast and IBTM World, highlighted the challenges of staff shortages and securing funding in regions where there is insufficient recognition of the sector’s value.
American Express Global Business Travel’s Head of Global Sustainability Meetings & Events, Eloísa Urrutia, and Barcelona Convention Bureau Director, Christoph Tessmar, then discussed how business events can counterbalance the challenges of over-tourism and climate change by contributing positively to local communities.
To conclude the Forum, audience members were invited to share their thoughts.
Ana Maria Viscasillas, Chair of the Events Industry Council, said: “My key takeaway is that as a global industry, we need to work on our messaging. We influence 27 million jobs, so we need to share more about what we do. There’s no government, no organisation, no association and no industry that doesn’t benefit from meetings and business events. Without them, there’s no creativity, no innovation and no impact. The US$1.6 trillion of total GDP supported by international business events changes economies and transforms cities. We need to share more of our transformational stories, showing our true impact.”
Barbara Jamison, President of City Destinations Alliance and Head of Europe at the London Convention Bureau, said: “One way London has been able to engage more politicians is by partnering with successive Deputy Mayors for Business and embedding them into our organisation. We’ve now had three Deputy Mayors for Business act as Chairpersons of London & Partners. It has fostered more engagement and a lot more understanding of the work that a convention bureau does and the power of events.”
Þórdís Lóa, President of the City of Reykjavik, said: “I have learned a lot today, particularly around the importance of distinguishing between the value of business events and the challenges of over-tourism. I will take back to Reykjavik the importance of communicating and educating our communities and media on the positive impact that business tourism has on our society and economy.”
Following the Forum, guests continued informal talks at the Meetings Leadership Network Reception on the hotel’s roof terrace.
IBTM World Exhibition Director, Claudia Hall, said: “The Forum was a fantastic prelude to IBTM World 2024. How we articulate our impact as an industry is vital, and I’d like to thank all the associations and organisations that have supported and participated in this initiative to drive advocacy on the eve of the 20th-anniversary edition of IBTM World.”
The IBTM World Forum for Advocacy, in partnership with The Business of Events, was supported by the PCMA, ICCA, the Events Industry Council, the Strategic Alliance of The National Convention Bureaux of Europe, the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), City Destinations Alliance, and The Iceberg.
ENDS
For all media enquiries, additional comment and request for interview please contact
Becca Krug and Emily Stewart at Davies Tanner:
Tel: +44 (0)1892 619100
ibtmpr@daviestanner.com
Notes to Editors
IBTM is a world-leading showcase for the meetings and events industry with a portfolio of events and products offering business solutions globally. The portfolio includes IBTM World and IBTM Americas.
IBTM World, the leading global event for the meetings and events industry, is the must-attend three-day event for the worldwide meeting, incentives, conference and events industry. Thousands of meetings and events buyers, suppliers and international trade media visit Fira Barcelona every November for IBTM’s flagship show. 2024 is the 37th anniversary of IBTM World and the 20th year the event has been hosted in Barcelona.
Next event: Tuesday 19 November to Thursday 21 November 2024 at Fira Barcelona
IBTM Americas, the leading event for the meetings and events industry in North America, Latin America, Europe and beyond, is the must-attend two-day event for the region’s meeting, incentives, conference and events industry.
Next event: Wednesday 20 to Thursday 21 August 2025 at Centro Citibanamex in Mexico City.
About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.
About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors
Share:
