BestCities Global Alliance has confirmed that its flagship
Global Forum will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 21-24 January
2027, marking the event’s 10th anniversary.
The event had been scheduled to take place in Dubai – which hosted
the first Global Forum in 2016 – but ongoing tensions in the Middle East forced
organisers into a rethink.
The event will convene international association leaders
under the theme, ‘Connect by Purpose: Global Perspectives, Shared Values’, with
more details to follow in the coming months.
BestCities is an alliance of 13 cities, represented by their
destination marketing organisations/CVBs, who claim to be ‘committed to raising
the bar for business events’.
"As we look ahead to the 10th anniversary of the Global
Forum, we’re thrilled to bring this milestone edition to Cape Town, a
destination that offers both exceptional capability and a powerful sense of
place,” said Loren Christie, managing director, BestCities Global Alliance.
“The Forum is a special event that brings together a unique set of global
perspectives. I can't think of a better destination than Cape Town to host this
marquee event."
“Cape Town and the Western Cape is honoured to host the
BestCities Global Forum. This prestigious event underscores our strong
commitment to the association sector and the vital role that business events
play in strengthening our knowledge economy, advancing key industries, and
creating meaningful benefits for our communities,” said Wrenelle Stander, CEO
of Wesgro, and the official spokesperson of the Cape Town & Western Cape
Convention Bureau.
The alliance said its relationship with the Dubai Department
of Economy & Tourism remained ‘strong and productive’, with future
programmes in the emirate already under discussion.
Editor’s Comment
BestCities is not a large gathering – fifty people at most.
Even so, organisers felt unable to commit to Dubai for their early 2027 gathering while
the US-Israeli conflict with Iran remains unresolved. Actual risk of bodily harm to
delegates might be negligible – I'd wager it's safer to walk around Dubai
Marina at night than a typical city in the UK – but business events don’t happen
at the whim of individuals, but the acquiescence of their employers, and their employer's insurance providers. Even if delegates were willing to travel to Dubai – getting
there on a heavily reduced flight schedule would be difficult. And this is the
problem facing the UAE and other Gulf states who have worked so hard to establish their business events offering. The tolerance to risk in business events is close to zero - or rather the tolerance to perceived risk is close to zero. Through no fault of their own, they must sit this out - and hope for a lasting peace agreement as soon as possible.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
