Cities are embroiled in increasingly intense competition for branding, with digital and social media having transferred marketing from city officials to citizens, according to the president of European Cities Marketing (ECM). 

“City branding is more complex than ever. CTOs (chief technology officers) have lost share of voice in the age of digital and social media. The city belongs to the people,” said ECM president Ignasi de Delàs in the run up to the next ECM meeting on 24-27 February in Madrid.

“And it’s definitely no longer just about the tourists. Cities compete more than ever for private investments, business conferences, world sports events, talents in research and science, film productions, political summits, international students, cruise ships, international headquarters and new airline connections.

“Ultimately, it’s all a battle for job growth, prosperity and quality of life. The winners get a global window and a place in the sun. The losers remain in the shadows among the non-places of globalisation.”

At the ECM Meeting in Madrid, February 24-27, ECM and Madrid Destino will present a parade of thought leading international experts highlighting European and North-American perspectives. 

Experienced city brand marketeers will share their most valuable insights and learning for a full two-day conference on the latest trends, the pitfalls and the upsides of a branding discipline undergoing rapid change.

Among key speakers, Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company and Robert Govers, Founding Chairman of the International Place Branding Association will provide opening notes with a seemingly joint message: “Leave the branding to the people”.

Copenhagen will discuss how it leaves its marketing voice and buzz to the people, while Nantes will describe how it uses culture to morph an old industrial port to a new global city. Other cities showcased include Munich, Istanbul, Hamburg and Paris, as well as small destinations such as Davos, home of the “The World Economic Forum” and Billund, the hometown of Lego Corp which aspires to be world’s “Capital of Children”.

A day of seminars will be coordinated by Peter Rømer Hansen, Former Executive Vice President – Strategy & Market Communications at Wonderful Copenhagen and actual Founder and CEO of Rømer Agency.

To find out more visit http://www.europeancitiesmarketing.com/ or contact Flavie Baudot, press@europeancitiesmarketing.com, +33 380 56 02 00

Following a second successful event in Madrid, the World Air Traffic Management (ATM) Congress has announced that event will remain in the Spanish capital until 2017.

The 2014 World ATM Congress, which took place at the IFEMA exhibition centre last week, attracted more than 6,000 aviation and air traffic management professionals – up by more than 1,000 on the inaugural event in 2013.

President and CEO of the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), Peter Dumont and the executive chairman of IFEMA, Luis Eduardo Cortes, signed an agreement confirming Madrid as the host city of the World ATM Congress, which will be held at IFEMA for the next three years.

 “This year’s World ATM Congress was a tremendous success,” said Dumont. “This was further evidenced by the wide variety of attendees from around the world and from all aspects of the industry. Not only was the event larger – it was better. With 190 exhibitors and visitors from 128 countries, the exhibition floor was rich for business. 

“There was clearly a demand for access to the ATM community in an environment that encourages innovation, and we have provided it.”

Jeff Poole, director general CANSO, said: “Once again, World ATM Congress has successfully provided an important and truly global forum for the air traffic management industry and its partners not just in terms of the numbers but also in quality. The success of World ATM Congress reaffirms the strong need and support for a single global ATM forum by the industry for the industry.” 

This endorsement from the international aviation industry will be a welcome boost for Madrid’s important hospitality and event sectors. Madrid was placed fourth in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)’s most recent ranking in 2012, just ahead of Barcelona – making Spain the world’s third most popular destination for meetings.

The next World ATM Congress will take place on 10–12 March 2015, bringing together all sectors of the air traffic community.