As politicians and policymakers gather at the IMEX Policy Forum in Frankfurt, key partners of The Iceberg are providing a timely reminder of the transformational contribution of business and professional events and their ‘beyond tourism’ benefits. GainingEdge CEO Gary Grimmer and Gregg Talley, President and CEO of the Talley Management Group, discuss what meetings actually contribute to the destinations where they are hosted, and how they have become part of strategic thinking for those that appreciate their value.
Business and professional events accelerate the journey to creative and knowledge economies.
Leading destination marketers in Europe are increasingly aligned to the economic development framework of their governments. They are focussing on key sectors for growth, as discussed at the last European Cities Marketing Summer School in Dresden. The video features ECM President Dieter Hardt-Stremayr, Conference Partners CEO Nicola McGrane, Vienna Convention Bureau Director Christian Mutschlechner and Destinations International Executive VP Program Development and Meetings Colleen Phalen.
Mutschlechner: “We have to be separated from tourism… …because we are not ‘offending’ the city”.
The Iceberg has always tried to shine a light on the benefits of business and professional events that lie hidden beneath the surface and get ignored alongside the visible tip of travel and hospitality spend. To contribute to the Joint Meetings Industry Council’s call for quality storytelling of the legacies the sector delivers, please click here.
