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

Pandemic: why its not over until its over for international meetings

August 11, 2020Pandemic: why its not over until its over for international meetingsFor international association meetings to begin to look anything like they did before Covid-19, one of two things must first happen: either enough host countries push their daily case rate down to near zero to make overseas delegations a possibility, or science comes to the rescue with a vaccine or...

‘It felt good!’: The reality of getting face to face again

August 7, 2020‘It felt good!’: The reality of getting face to face againDavid Taylor, non-executive director at BCD M&E and the Exclusive Collection, gives an account of his first face to face meeting post-lockdown...

Deep Dive S1: We can define the buzz you get at meetings Thomas Hansen

July 16, 2020Deep Dive S1: We can define the buzz you get at meetings Thomas HansenWhat exactly is that buzz delegates get at meetings? How can attending or chairing meetings enhance your professional credibility? Who should be chairing your next meeting anyway? And does the word ‘legacy’ actually mean anything?

Is the meetings industry doomed to repeat itself

July 3, 2020Is the meetings industry doomed to repeat itselfI suspect there was a bit of head scratching when event professionals received an invitation from the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) to attend what it called an ‘historic’ webinar promising an ‘unprecedented collaboration’ between itself and trade shows IMEX, IBTM, AIME and Meetings Africa,...

Deep Dive S1: We need to have deeper conversations Jane Cunningham

June 8, 2020Deep Dive S1: We need to have deeper conversations Jane CunninghamIn this edition of Deep Dive, AMI editor James Lancaster catches up with industry thought leader Jane Cunningham to discuss how associations and destinations can work together to create more meaningful and effective meetings that benefit everyone – the association, the host city, and society in...

Deep Dive S1: COVID-19 crisis is a chance for cities to tap into their intellectual networks.

May 11, 2020Deep Dive S1: COVID-19 crisis is a chance for cities to tap into their intellectual networks.In the first episode of our new Deep Dive podcast series, AMI editor James Lancaster caught up with industry thought leader Martin Sirk to discuss what role business events will play in reshaping the world after Covid-19 and how associations will have to adapt to a new and challenging landscape.

If sponsored face masks are the new normal then count me out

May 4, 2020If sponsored face masks are the new normal then count me out‘The new normal’ has become one of the more irksome phrases to enter common parlance since countries began implementing lockdown measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A message of support from convention bureaux around the world

April 29, 2020A message of support from convention bureaux around the worldWith governments around the world halting all but essential travel, convention bureaux are feeling the strain.

IMEX group to launch PlanetIMEX a ‘destination in its own right’

April 29, 2020IMEX group to launch PlanetIMEX a ‘destination in its own right’IMEX Group has announced it will be launching PlanetIMEX, a virtual experience featuring 3D, interactive islands on Wednesday 6 May.

COVID-19: why we must ignore the voices of doom AND complacency

March 6, 2020COVID-19: why we must ignore the voices of doom AND complacencyI’m not sure what’s getting more tedious – the sensationalist reaction to every new outbreak of COVID-19, or those cleverer-than-thou voices imploring us to ‘calm down, dear, it’s no big deal’.Show More