Opinion

Generic World Cup image

July 15, 2026When the hosts start writing the rules ...James Lancaster asks what lessons international bodies can learn from the FIFA World Cup 2026Read More

Mutschlechner: retirement would be industrys loss

September 17, 2018Mutschlechner: retirement would be industrys lossThe departure of Christian Mutschlechner from Vienna Convention Bureau in February next year may, or may not, signal his departure from the wider international meetings industry.

Disposable coffee cups Just set your alarm clock

September 11, 2018Disposable coffee cups Just set your alarm clockOnce upon a time, Coffee houses were places of earnest public discourse, where religious, intellectual, and political ideas were frequently debated over a pot of the pungent black stuff. Good places in which to close a business deal, too, or sketch the opening of a play. Less rowdy than inns and...

Clear thinking: air pollution and the meetings industry

August 28, 2018Clear thinking: air pollution and the meetings industryIt was a few years ago now, but I can still remember the elderly couple sitting across the aisle from me on the shuttle bus to Stavanger and the look of happy astonishment on their faces.

Oh Vienna! Austrias liveable capital

August 15, 2018Oh Vienna! Austrias liveable capitalTo name somewhere the most ‘liveable’ city in the world has always struck me as rather presumptuous, failing, as it does, to take into account personal taste and the priorities of the individual.

Why access is worth shouting about

August 1, 2018Why access is worth shouting aboutStriking artwork, natural light, excellent F&B – all of these things can help turn an average convention centre into something more memorable. When venues are irredeemably bad, it’s usually because of the kind of dodgy planning that would flummox a champion homing pigeon.

Back to basics

August 1, 2018Back to basicsIt can’t be easy. Organising a conference that manages to retain, over several days, a special relevance for thousands of delegates while having that ineffable ‘wow’ factor. No wonder ‘event manager’ always features near the top of those ‘Most Stressful Jobs in the World’ lists.