The tip of The Iceberg
A new industry campaign platform and distribution network promoting the value of meetings and business events to governments and business communities worldwide , has been launched at the recent IT & CMA in Bangkok .
The Iceberg and its fortnightly e-newsletter Business Events World will begin in January , 2017 . As a global resource , The Iceberg and Business Events World will further provide access to the industry ’ s leading information , association , education , and event resources whilst creating a shared global economy for the campaign partners .
Speaking at the launch , founder James Latham , from specialist industry agency Fred Productions , says he has received overwhelming support from the channel ’ s founding partners , which include CIM Magazine .
“ The Iceberg is an ‘ open source ’ to share any example , or story , which places face to face communications at the heart of a sustainable city , business community , or wider knowledge economy ,” said Latham .
“ Trust and connectivity among knowledge based individuals and communities is where the growth curve begins . This is why business and professional events are such essential forms of connectivity .”
Providing access to co-existent case study archives , research , white papers , and economic impact data , the new channel will lead with the Joint Meetings Industry Council ’ s ( JMIC ) rigorous series of case study events titled : The Value of Meetings Case Study Program .
This series , to be published through 2017-19 by the University of Technology , Sydney , will inform governments and their policymakers of the broader knowledge transfer , trade , professional development , healthcare , and other societal outcomes that derive from hosting business and professional events – the result of investments in meetings infrastructure and destination marketing on the part of government .
Joachim Koenig , president of JMIC , said that the communications component of the JMIC Case Study Program has always been seen as a critical element in the overall initiative .
“ Successfully creating The Iceberg as a vehicle to promote program results will make a huge difference to the impact we achieve ,” he added .
“ Both our colleague James Latham , who initiated and promoted the platform , and JMIC members who have put their support behind this initiative are to be congratulated on stepping up to advance not just this specific program but the overall industry objective of demonstrating the extent to which meetings , incentives , conventions and exhibitions support a whole range of global economic and societal priorities .”
By the time the initial two-year collaboration concludes in 2019 , it is anticipated that The Iceberg will host access to at least 24 academic case studies across every genre of business or professional event and across multiple industry and government sectors .
To join the industry movement visit http :// storyline . network / invitation-to-jointhe-iceberg .
Above : Peng Ee Ooi , head of IT & CM Events , and The Iceberg founder James Latham .
Investment surge in Australian hotel sector
Australia ’ s hotel industry is booming , with some 120 hotel projects in the pipeline set to grow the accommodation stock by 30 per cent between 2016 and 2021 . This year saw Australia pass the 100,000 room mark and it is forecast that over 4000 rooms will be added in 2017 , and 5000 rooms in 2018 , transforming every capital city across the country .
Drinks are on us
Join us for ‘ Happy Hour ’ every Friday and watch some of Sydney ’ s best mixologists shake up a great way to start the weekend .
The last time Australia saw such increases in hotel accommodation was prior to the 2000 Olympics , when there was growth of 7500 rooms between 1998 and 2000 . However , that room boom was followed by a dramatic bust , with faltering international and domestic economic conditions , wars and airline collapses all contributing to the downturn .
On this occasion , Tourism Accommodation Australia ( TAA ) believes that a combination of circumstances will not only soak up the supply but enable Australia to attract a vast new audience of highend tourists , business travellers , and conference and incentive groups .
“ There may be excess hotel capacity in some cities in the short-term , but this will be to the benefit of travellers through greater availability , and the increased capacity will enable cities to compete for large conferences , exhibitions and events ,” said TAA chair Martin Ferguson .
PCOA looks back at bumper year
The 9th annual Professional Conference Organisers Association ( PCOA ) Conference was held in Brisbane , with a record 400- plus delegates attending the two day event . PCOA president Barry Neame said 18 webinars had been held by the PCOA this year , with an average of 70 attendees per session .
“ We have had probably the most fantastic year in terms of fulfilling our objectives of providing ongoing education and ongoing professional development for all of our industry PCOs and our suppliers ,” he said .
“ This is great encouragement for us . It shows we are all working together towards being more professional and to make sure that our clients have the experience and the professional application of our work that they deserve .”
www . cimmagazine . com Convention & Incentive Marketing , Issue 8 , 2016 7