Nashville is to host IBTM America 2016, the meeting place of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry, following IBTM America 2015 in Chicago. 

“The excitement behind delivering our event in different key convention cities in the US adds variety and new experiences for all our attendees,” said Jaime McAuley, Event Director, IBTM America.

“Nashville is one of the hottest convention cities in America right now and whilst its very roots are in music (the Country Music Hall of Fame) there is also history, the arts, food – the city recently was nominated in the top 10 best BBQ cities in the US – and of course a variety of venues to benefit this industry.”

IBTM America will take place from June 15 to 17 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center – the largest exhibition and meetings venue in continental US, with 2,882 guest rooms onsite, 6 ballrooms, more than 100 technologically advanced conference and breakout rooms, 600,000 sq ft of meeting, convention and exhibit function space and 4.5 acres of covered tropical gardens.

“We fully expect many will want to either arrive early or stay on to make the most of the facilities, whether it’s to spend more time in downtown Nashville or at the Gaylord as this resort is certainly one of a kind in the USA,” said McAuley.

In addition to its growing business events industry, Nashville is the world’s capital of country music with more than 120 live music venues.

Dutch event company Jaarbeurs has partnered with international media specialist Cavendish Group to organise the first RAID conference in Utrecht on 8th and 9th June.

RAID, which stands for Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Internet-of-Things and Data, aims to be Europe’s largest cross sector Disruptive Innovation Conference and Exhibition. 

The event will feature the highest level of conference content, with an accompanying trade show and marketplace showcasing technology solutions that will disrupt the way Europe’s largest companies operate.

As innovative technologies and solutions will emerge from, and be applicable across, multiple sectors, RAID is aimed at large established business sectors including insurance, automotive, pharmaceuticals, banking, energy utilities, logistics, and advanced industrial manufacturing. 

RAID will look at how C-level executives from different sectors can learn from each other about how Europe’s largest companies approach disruptive innovation. There is also a significant crossover of senior executives between different sectors and disruptive thinking must start first and foremost with Europe’s business leaders.

RAID will be an international event with a strong pan-European theme. Disruptive innovation is positioned as the logical and natural solution for kick starting the more productive economic growth that the EU needs, Cavendish Group said.

This event is about the impact of technology convergence and disruptive innovation on large cross sector companies.

RAID will take place in the Jaarbeurs Media Plaza and exhibition area in the heart of Utrecht, ranked by the European Commission as the most competitive centre for business across the EU. The venue is walking distance from the Utrecht train station, with the airport express train to Schipol, 30 km away and with direct links to many leading German cities. 

The aim for the first RAID conference and exhibition is to attract more than 700 attendees and exhibitors from Europe’s largest companies and most innovative technology and solution providers. 

Cavendish Group is the publisher and owner of a number of leading international media brands including HOST CITY, Oil & Gas Technology, Renewable Energy Technology, Automotive Manufacturer, the International Capital Conference and many more. 

More details of the event can be found on the RAID website. You can also keep up to date by following the RAID Twitter feed.

RAID Utrecht takes place on the 8th and 9th June, 2016. The conference agenda and event details will be announced in early September 2015.

For more information please contact: RAID@cavendishgroup.co.uk.

HOST CITY has launched “HOST CITY 2015: The Largest Meeting of Cities and Sports, Business and Cultural Events” – a major conference and exhibition to take place on 9 and 10 November 2015. 

With 100 per cent attendee satisfaction, HOST CITY: Bid to Win in 2014 was acclaimed as the optimal setting to network with and learn from peers in the business of hosting major events. 

The HOST CITY 2015 Bid to Win ConfEx will again create a unique dialogue between cities and rights holders of sporting, cultural and business events, on a bigger scale than ever before. 

The 2015 conference will focus on how cities and rights holders can work together to deliver successful, safe and sustainable sporting, cultural and business events. These range from mega events such as the Olympic Games and World Expos to major business, scientific and cultural events. 

HOST CITY 2015 is set to include VIP speakers from event owners: IOC, CGF, FIFA, sports federations, BIE, MTV, EU Capital of Culture, Rock in Rio, major scientific congresses; city event leaders from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Japan, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, USA and many more.

In an increasingly competitive global market, cities are hosting a wider range of events to attract a greater share of global trade and investment. HOST CITY 2015 provides the platform for them to work together to attract, build and host the greatest events in the world. 

Rights holders will announce plans for their events and share insights on bidding for and hosting their properties. Cities will share their experiences of building a portfolio of sports, business and cultural events that attract investment and benefit society. 

With a mix of panel discussions, keynote addresses and case studies focussed on mega events, transport, security, business and cultural events, HOST CITY 2015 highlights the issues and opportunities facing everyone in the business of city events.

Press coverage of HOST CITY Bid to Win 2014 included: The Telegraph, Daily Mail, O Globo, Bloomberg, Associated Press, ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, Huffington Post, Star Africa, Yahoo, China Sports, Indian Express, Yomiuri Shimbun, Sports Illustrated, Washington Times, Kyiv Post, La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Omnisports, MSN, beIN Sports, Eurosport, Fox Sports, with media partners SportCal, Around the Rings, iSportConnect and widespread social media coverage on #HostCity.

“We were very pleased with the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Bid to Win and very proud to present the HOST CITY 2015 Bid to Win ConfEx,” said event chairman and editorial director Ben Avison.

“The world’s most highly regarded speakers will cover all aspects of bidding for and hosting major events.

“We look forward to welcoming you to HOST CITY 2015: Bid to Win, The Largest Meeting of Cities and Sports, Business and Cultural Events on 27-28 October.”

To download the latest agenda visit www.bidtowin-hostcity.net

Book your place and discuss sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities with Adam Soroka on +44 (0) 203 077 8732 or adam.soroka@bric.com 

The Dubai Convention & Events Bureau has signed a deal to sponsor the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO).

Dubai Convention & Events Bureau joins the Glasgow Convention Bureau, Barbican and Hiscox Insurance as sponsors of ABPCO. 

ABPCO is the UK’s leading organisation for professional conference and event organisers, industry associates and those studying for, or seeking a career in the conference and meetings industry.

“Having the official convention bureau for Dubai as a sponsor of ABPCO is of course fantastic news for us,” said Caroline Windsor, joint-chair of ABPCO. 

“Their support will enable us to continue growing as an association and it will benefit our members as we seek to promote best practice for individuals and organisations within the industry. 

“Dubai is one of the leading business event destinations in the world so we look forward to working with them to benefit the industry as a whole.”

The Dubai Convention & Events Bureau’s main aim is to establish Dubai as a premier business event destination to help grow economic development, jobs and knowledge in the region. It offers free, impartial advice, guidance and support to international meeting planners.

“As sponsors of ABPCO we hope to further benefit the industry we work in as well as promote Dubai as a dynamic host city for international meetings and events,” said Maris Kuklis, senior manager of Business Events UK & Europe at Dubai Convention & Events Bureau. 

“We have been members of ABPCO for some time and now we are looking forward to taking our relationship with ABPCO one step further whilst further strengthening our position within the industry.”

SportAccord Convention has signed Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority as a Bronze Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit, taking place from 19-24 April 2015, at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.

“Ahead of the 2019 World Athletics Championship and the FIFA World Cup 2022, business opportunities are thriving across sports-related industries in Qatar, ” said Martin Tidestrom, business development director, Qatar Financial Centre Authority.

“The SportAccord Convention will allow us to engage first-hand with industry leaders, key policymakers, and service and technology suppliers looking to establish a presence in Qatar.” 

The QFC Authority is an on-shore business and financial centre located in Doha and has been instrumental in helping to develop the private sector in Qatar.

“The SportAccord Convention provides a unique opportunity for the Qatar Financial Centre Authority to fulfil its obligations and commitments, by enabling access to Sport and Industry Leaders, in one location, at the World Sport & Business Summit,” said Nis Hatt, managing director, SportAccord Convention.

“We’re delighted to have the QFC Authority onboard and wish them every success at the Convention.”

The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors. The 6-day event features a 3-day Conference, dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, MediaAccord, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, as well as hosting the SportAccord Sports Awards, and the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport. 

Established by the Government of Qatar in 2005, the QFC is an on-shore centre which has become an integral part of Qatar’s economy and rapid growth story and is fulfilling its mandate to help build a world-class financial and business environment in Qatar, providing a platform for domestic, regional and international growth. The QFC Authority is the commercial and strategic arm of the QFC, it is responsible for developing and ensuring compliance with the QFC regulations and rules comprising the QFC’s legal and tax environments and it helps firms to quickly establish a physical presence in Qatar and the region. 

The QFC continues to attract a broad range of leading regulated and non-regulated firms, both domestic and international. QFC-licensed firms benefit from an environment which operates to international standards, with a legal system based on English Common Law, regulation which is risk and principles-based, and a competitive tax regime.

As anticipated by HOST CITY last year, a bid from Britain for the World Expo 2025 has been confirmed. 

The UK culture secretary Sajid Javid said the need to boost the business events sector is a major driver for bidding for the World Expo.

The government is currently speaking with tourism bodies and the business events sector to decide on a location to put forward as a candidate for the World Expo 2025.

“Britain is renowned for putting on some of the biggest events in world sport, following the success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Javid said.

Since 2012, London has twice been voted the world’s “Ultimate Sports City”.

However, London stands only tenth in the International Congress and Convention Association’s global ranking of numbers of business events hosted. 

Paris, Madrid, Vienna, Barcelona and Berlin make up the top five cities for hosting business events. 

America, Germany, Spain and France all host more business conferences and events than the UK, despite the fact that hosting business conferences and events brings GB£39.1bn to the country.

The UK’s intention to bid was announced as the government published its “Business Visits and Events Strategy” that seeks to attract some of the biggest global fairs and conferences to the UK’s cities. 

“I want us to increase our standing in the business events world and host more major conferences that can help generate growth for our economy and create jobs,” said Javid.

“Bringing the World Expo to the UK in 2025 would be a major coup and give us another great opportunity to champion the best of Britain to the world.”

The UK’s candidate city will be competing for the Expo against world cities such as Paris, which announced its intention to bid last year.

After selecting a candidate city, the UK will need to produce a candidature file that demonstrates its technical capability to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

Speaking at HOST CITY Bid to Win in October 2014, Dimitri Kerkentes, chief of staff at the BIE said: “We need to be able to be accountable, to say that when this project was approved to go forward to the voting stage we saw that you have the capacity to pull it off – whether it’s in four years’ time or nine months’ time – we saw that you have everything that’s technically required to host an Expo.”

The World Expo 2015 takes place in Milan from 1 May to 31 October. In 2020, Dubai will be hosting the World Expo. 

Bidding for and hosting a World Expo will again be a key topic of HOST CITY 2015, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events.

Host City: What are the rights holders of major congresses looking for from host cities – what are the most important requirements?

Carola van der Hoeff: If you look across the whole world, bidding cities and countries are so different in terms of what they can offer.

The financial support they get from the city, province or country is an important issue.

The cost of the venue is an important aspect, also the price of general things like food and drink, and travel from the airport to the hotels to downtown.

We also look at safety, especially for our participants.

What is especially important for us is to make sure we have a member association in that country, to make sure we have a connection. Without a member association we will never go to that country.

Host City: That’s very similar to major sports and cultural events, where security and robust backing from the hosting authorities are both crucial.

Carola van der Hoeff: We also realise that in Europe there are some cities that can support financially, while there are others that just don’t have this in place. But that does not necessarily mean we will not decide to go there, because there may be other benefits.

For example, Amsterdam is very attractive for participants – it’s easy to reach. And we know that in Europe we have a higher number of participants – that’s based on historical data. So, it’s not just about finance, but it can play a big role.

Host City: What impact does hosting a major scientific congress have on the city?

Carola van der Hoeff: For the city, it’s like a business. Congress participants bring a lot of money, in terms of hotel stays and dinners.

We have 3,500 participants over four to five days in the city; so that gives a lot of exposure.

We also know that legacy is an important item for associations at the moment: what can we do for the city and the country in the specific sector that we are in, i.e. pharmacy.

We have our World Congress this year in Glasgow. If you look at Glasgow it’s important that local people understand what pharmacists can do for them – not only dispensing medicines but also providing advice.

Host City: How would you describe your experience of working with Glasgow as a host city?

Carola van der Hoeff: For the past couple of years, we have been working with the Glasgow Convention Bureau and the support they have been giving us exceeds all expectations.

Their expertise and professional way of working make it very easy to work in Glasgow and to organise our event.

Host City: How far ahead do you have host cities lined up after Glasgow 2018?

Carola van der Hoeff: We are just deciding now on the host for 2021 and about to open the bid process for 2022. We have a bid document that people can get form us.

But for us, it’s very important that if a city wants to bid for a congress they have to engage with our member organisation in their country. For example, for Glasgow we are working with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in the UK, in London.

Host City: Do you have any advice for destinations interested in bidding for 2022?

Carola van der Hoeff: The best advice is always to contact the national association to get a bit more knowledge about the congress and to discuss the requirements. Every congress has specific requirements; it’s important to get to know your client.

Host City: It sounds very much like it’s something that develops through dialogue, which is interesting because it’s the new approach that the IOC is taking for the Olympic Games; they are shaping their bidding process as an invitation and a conversation, rather than simply a submission of a bid document.

Carola van der Hoeff: Yes, for me that’s very important too. I think it’s a good way forward, because it is so important to know what the event is about and to be very clear about what you are bidding for.

Carola van der Hoeff is Chief Operating Officer and Congress Director at International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the global federation gathering 140 national associations of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. She is responsible for overseeing the organisation's daily operations and enhancing internal processes to help the non-profit grow and fulfil its mission. Before joining FIP, she worked for more than 16 years as a Professional Congress Organiser.

The FIP World Congress 2018 takes place on 2 to 6 September in Glasgow. 

Carola van der Hoeff is speaking at Host City 2018, the largest meeting of sports, business and cultural events, on 20 to 21 November 2018, also in Glasgow.