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

Mental Health Hands

April 20, 2026Mental health is not a KPIFailing to respond to the mental health crisis in the meetings and events industry is a flaw stemming from fear, silence and ignorance, argues Janice Cardinale

Dubai picture frame in desert

March 13, 2026For associations, Dubai was a gateway to the world. Now what?As conflict in Iran escalates, what now for the associations' favourite Middle East meeting place?

Iran barrels money

March 4, 2026If we're calling ourselves an industry - we need to act like one ...And yet, in the face of escalating geopolitical instability that directly affects energy, cost and travel - the foundations of the business event industry - there is largely silence, argues Anna Abdelnoor.

Monopoly money tourist tax

February 27, 2026How the tourist tax could change the rules of subventionJames Lancaster explains how ring-fenced funding for convention bureaux through a tourist tax - or visitor levy - could change what subventions are used for, and help the conference sector mature.

Bored conference delegates

January 28, 2026Death by dignitary: why conferences start with a whimperWhy conferences start with a whimper

People running in opposite directions

January 14, 2026It's a mad world: Associations shouldn't pretend it isn'tFraming the chaos of the world as a distraction to just work through doesn’t cut it. Associations need to do better, argues Anna Abdelnoor.

mobile phone set to social media settings

January 7, 2026A coup d’état won't stop associations meeting in the US. Social media vetting might ...Proposals requiring inbound travellers to hand over five years of social media history would be a red-line for many conference goers, argues James Lancaster.

ever decreasing circles

November 21, 2025"Performative collaborations are getting us nowhere ..."When it comes to advocacy, James Lancaster thinks the business events industry is going round in circles ...

Illustration showing a group of people being excluded from a white group

August 13, 2025Silenced voices: the politics of conference visa denialsInternational meetings are held up as paragons of cooperation - where scientists, policymakers, activists, and innovators can share ideas in ‘borderless spaces.’ This has always been a fiction for delegates from the Global South.

Lovely pic of Vienna by night

June 12, 2025The golden triangleHow destinations can enrich local communities while improving visitor experiences ...Show More