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Event Management Blog: www.themiceblog.com
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Event management blog: all about international Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions. Here you can find information about MICE destinations, venues, gastronomy, entertainment and more
Contact: events[at]themiceblog[dot]com

31/07/2024

I was so inspired by vision to make sports accessible to every child.

‘When you ask a child what sport they like, they might only know football, boxing, or basketball. They won’t think of hockey or cricket because they have no clue about them. You need to educate them and show them what’s possible.’

Sportspullenbank (Sports Equipment Bank) in Rotterdam is a social enterprise dedicated to helping individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds engage in sports.

They collect and distribute high-quality second-hand sports equipment, enabling those who might otherwise be excluded to participate.

This initiative encourages physical activity, fosters curiosity, and supports social development through team sports.

We met with Erna Truijens and Luc Beurskens during field trip, who shared Erna’s inspiring story of driving positive change and ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate in and enjoy sports.

When Erna joined the Sportspullenbank board, she began making big moves, earning her the title of ‘system changer.’ Our group was deeply moved by her story during our visit.

Now that the world is watching the Paris Olympics and there are 32 sports disciplines, it really makes me think about this story and the importance of the work done by the Sportspullenbank ✨

17/07/2024

I was interviewed by Germany’s biggest MICE magazine .

Thanks to Justine Hein, for once it was good to switch from interviewer to interviewee and talk about what I do.

I’ve been creating content since 2011 and I’ve seen the social media landscape transform dramatically.

What used to work very well in the past, doesn’t work anymore so I constantly have to learn and unlearn things.

Now, content must be platform-specific.

In the B2B events industry, it’s even more complex than in B2C.

B2B event information is complex, targeting different groups like agencies, corporations and associations. Buyers and suppliers.

Decision-making cycles are longer and involve multiple stakeholders.

Telling stories will make you stand out.

To succeed, you must understand your facts and figures and link them to stories that resonate on a personal level.

Connect through shared values and interests, and focus on 2-3 selected content pillars. That will make your content memorable and convert to business opportunities.

Also invest in learning about social media. It’s not just a job for the youngest team member who’s a ‘digital native’. It’s a full time job and skills that need to be learned.

I have much more to share, so I’m hosting a session on social media and storytelling in B2B, and adding a new section about PR (in case you attended one of these in the past).

Interested? Comment below or DM me for the link and I look forward to seeing you there!

02/07/2024

I spent the day in Stuttgart today to interview Ellen Schmid, Deputy Head of Sustainability @ UEFA Euro 2024 - Host City Stuttgart and Karina Grützner, Head of the Stuttgart Convention Bureau. Can‘t wait to share the insights with you ! .uefaeuro2024

10/06/2024

Who wants change?
Who wants to change?

Gerald Babel-Sutter, founder and CEO of , opened the Urban Future conference:

‘Doing the first step is tough.

The harder the project that’s ahead of you, the more we tend to push things away.

And this is particularly the case for cities, because the projects in cities are super challenging.

And a lot of people don’t want that change.

What we try to do at Urban Future is help all of you to make the first step or make first steps in whatever project you’re about to embark on or that you are part of.

And you will hear the next days here at the conference how to make a first step, how others make the first step.

Chantal Zeegers, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam, talked about city’s transition towards a sustainable future that goes hand in hand with social change.

‘Climate justice should be at the forefront of all our climate policies. And in Rotterdam, the aim is that everyone can participate and at the same time benefit.’

An example is the Citizens Climate Council. It’s a group of citizens who are selected by a representative draw, and also the climate sceptics join.

Sharing tips for young people how to make change happen, Ben Collier, CEO at Farmlink Project shared the concept of ‘dream big, start small, move fast’

‘It’s easy to look at Farmlink and think what a huge organization. We have 20 employees and 700 students have helped build it.

And the reality is we started as three people on a phone call saying, let’s just call these farmers that we’re reading about.

And we didn’t say we’re gonna build an app. We didn’t say we’re gonna build a huge organisation or a nonprofit.

We said, let’s connect one farm with one food bank.’

What a powerful opening that delivered an incredible conference over the last three days in Rotterdam.

Congratulations to the entire team for building such a strong and passionate community of change makers!

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Check out the full event coverage on my Instagram stories (saved under Urban Future), and subscribe to my newsletter for all future updates. Link in bio!

22/05/2024

Sustainability is the incentive reward.

At we presented two case studies:

- Go Sustainable trip to Zurich and Lucerne.
- SITE Incentive Summit Europe in Andermatt.

Lucerne Convention Bureau and have collaborated to organise the Go Sustainable trip.

By pooling their resources, two destinations demonstrate how competing destinations can unite to achieve common sustainability goals.

We presented how the Incentive Summit Europe managed the transportation of 60 people using public transport from Zurich to Andermatt.

Discussing the travel to Andermatt, Padraic shared its high connectivity and clarity, despite the challenge of requiring up to five different train and bus connections.

This complexity turned into an achievement as delegates felt a sense of accomplishment upon reaching Andermatt, experiencing a journey unlike any typical business event travel.

This journey also allowed delegates to gradually immerse themselves in the changing landscape, moving from the urban environment of Zurich to the alpine resort of Andermatt.

Gregory and Marvin shared how they chose to showcase Zurich and Lucerne during the Go Sustainable trip by highlighting their USPs.

Lucerne showcased its Swiss image with nature activities like boat tour and mountain railways, while Zurich presented a more international, modern and cultural image.

Changing the perception of incentive travel is challenging shared Padraic.

Often, qualifiers view sustainability as an effort, contrary to their expectations of relaxation after working hard to earn their travel reward.

We are in the midst of reshaping this view, promoting sustainability not as an effort but as a natural part of travel.

The industry is increasingly recognising sustainability as a necessity.

The SITE Incentive Summit Europe and Go Sustainable trips have begun to change minds, with over 100 delegates now serving as ambassadors to the power of a well organised, sustainable event and travel experience.

17/05/2024

Few impressions from day 2 .

Hosting two sessions:

1. How to align sustainable event objectives for multi-destination event planning.

2. START Summit - Behind the scenes of Europe’s largest student-run conference at the Future Leaders Forum.

Networking on the Stuttgart stand and lots of catch up in the hallways. What a day!

📸

14/05/2024

IMEX day 1 walking the show floor to hear about destination trends from around the world!

The busiest IMEX ever!

05/05/2024

Ad Innovative event formats need the right venue for success.

The new hall at is designed for events of the future.

First time I visited I saw empty halls.

I returned to see the biggest entrepreneurship event take place.

Here’s a real time case study:

START Summit was one of the first events to take place in the new St. Galler Kantonalbank Hall.

They had no reference on how to use the new hall.

But, they set one for others to get inspiration from.

START Summit is not a typical entrepreneurship conference, it’s a business festival.

They don’t do things the traditional way.

Here’s what they did:

1. START Summit welcomed over 7,000 people across two halls and 15,000 sqm.

Attendees could easily navigate the content stages, lounges, exhibition, meeting area, and workshops without feeling overwhelmed.

2. START Summit made a ‘techno’ style entrance tunnel. It wowed you from the start. It set the stage for other, creative stages and lighting designs on the show floor.

3. Distinctive lighting schemes differentiated between parallel events, START Summit and START Hack, guiding attendees and enhancing their sense of orientation.

4. The new St. Galler Kantonalbank Hall During START Summit, it was split between the main hall where the event took place. The Foyer was used for badge accreditation, a cloakroom, a snack kiosk, and a networking area.

5. Excellent acoustics and well-spaced stages in the main hall ensured an optimal experience by eliminating the need for headsets during talks.

6. Excellent acoustics and well-spaced stages in the main hall ensured an optimal experience by eliminating the need for headsets during talks.

7. Workshops took place in the small conference rooms in Hall 9. It showed how large events can also make space for small sessions.

Being one of the first events at the Olma Messen St.Gallen new St. Galler Kantonalbank Hall they did exceptionally well and created new benchmarks for events.

What do the events of the future mean to you?

Sponsored post in collaboration with .

01/03/2024

When being small is your SUPERPOWER!

I attended ICCA Skills Hub in Luxembourg this week and learned that the reason the country introduced free public transport (see previous reel) was to reduce congestion caused by over 200,000 employees commuting from neighbouring countries (in a country of 660,809 inhabitants).

I experienced how INNOVATIVE this is for events!

- Ease of access to venues
- Stress-free transportation
- Reduces environmental impact
- Creates a stronger cultural exchange: explore the destination like a local.

I learned that over 170 nationalities live and work here.

This multicultural environment enriches business events with networking opportunities and cultural exchange.

One of the insights I took from the sessions is that if you are small, you need to use it to your advantage.

For Luxembourg being small is when you can make better connections and easily move around while here.

It’s a very unique experience I haven’t had anywhere else.

Leaving with new insights and strong new connections. Until next time!

📩 I’ve got the latest trends and insights on destinations and MICE, and I’m sharing them in my free weekly newsletter. It’s right at the top of my profile, see you there!

28/02/2024

Ad| InterContinental Berlin is not a stranger and needs no introduction.

BUT, I have news for you.

was fully renovated from 2019 until the end of 2023:

1. New rooms - 558 spacious rooms across all categories.

2. New restaurant concept - Marlene added an extended menu.

3. New looby - with a collection of artwork including Bauhaus-inspired pieces, original prints, and paintings by international and German artists.

This week I’m in Berlin to view the hotel and learn the latest updates.

Hotel USP ⬇️

Hotel buyout.

They just had one last week.

No corner was left unattended. They had food stations, DJ, band playing, exhibitions, gala dinner. The variety of possibilities is limitless.

I spoke to Maria Hoffmeister about most suitable type of events at the InterContinental Berlin.

‘If you want to have an exclusive experience, if you want to own your hotel, the InterContinental Berlin gives you the flexibility to do this. We have a lot of buyouts, where we have only one client at the same time using all the facilities.’

For a good reason the hotel is known for having the ‘luxury of space’.

It’s the most spacious hotel in Berlin.

But beyond the physical space, it also gives you space to get inspired, relax and indulge in the fantastic culinary offering across the restaurants.

More behind the scenes in stories (also saved in ‘Berlin’ highlights) ✨

#

18/02/2024

📍Stuttgart.

Media collaboration| The recently opened in Stuttgart.

Adding 262 modern rooms next to the exhibition center and airport, and complemented by the Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport, 588 guest rooms can meet large event demand in Stuttgart.

The hotel opened in 2019 and due to COVID, reopened in April 2022.

I stayed at the Mövenpick Hotel Messe & Congress to see how it’s suitable for business events:

➔ Top location.

Located near the Stuttgart exhibition center and airport with direct access via U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and the motorway. A new U-Bahn station opened next to the hotel to increase convenience.

➔ Maximum comfort.

Despite its proximity to the airport, guests will not be interrupted by noise thanks to the soundproof windows.

There are 14 sleeping rooms with ergonomic beds, customizable pillow menus, sleeping masks, and scents for a deep sleep.

What’s also interesting, the hotel’s design was inspired by the Agapanthus flower and the symbolism of birds as messengers, to bring the business people from the busy business world to the relaxing business world and to calm down in the hotel.

The hotel also has a gym, sauna, and steam room.

➔ Favourite gastronomy.

The signature Mövenpick breakfast and the Italian restaurant with the Moretti pizza oven are culinary favourites among the guests.

➔ Large event space.

The event space at the hotel is a 735 sqm ballroom for 695 people, with seven more meeting rooms.

The event space combined with the Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport nearby brings up the event space to 2,200 sqm, one of the largest in southern Germany!

➔ Strong commitment to sustainability.

The hotel has sustainable practices in place, being Green Globe certified, having a partnership with Too Good To Go, and having its own bees on the rooftop.

I would love to hear from you, what are your needs when travelling for business event?

📸 🙋🏼‍♀️

#

31/01/2024

Westin Grand Frankfurt in central Frankfurt was reopened with a wellness concept.

After a FULL hotel renovation, it introduced its six pillars of wellbeing: sleep well, eat well, move well, feel well, work well and play well.

What does it actually mean in practice? I stayed at the Westin Grand Frankfurt to find out:

📌 Top location: located in central Frankfurt yet it’s very quiet. It has a warm atmosphere with botanical elements in its design with also stone, wood and metal to reflect the city Frankfurt as a trade city.

📌 Catering: the ‘re fuel’ station is located on the conference floor. Event attendees can have coffee and healthy snacks throughout the day to keep their energy high. At the breakfast buffet they also have a vegan corner. There’s also a Grab & Go kiosk that sells healthy snacks and salads 24/7. So, if you had a long day travelling and want a healthy snack, that’s the perfect solution.

📌 13 meeting rooms: all on one floor with natural daylight with spacious foyer (750 sqm)

📌 New ballroom: after full renovation in August 2023, the Ballroom is open for bookings for up to 450 people with its 370 sqm.

📌 Main Tapas Lounge: is a super cool location on the ground floor with a bar that can be privatised for events.

📌 Co-working space: spacious and modern co-working space in the bobby where you can have a meeting or catch up on calls and emails.

With 2024 setting focus on wellness and slowing down, hotels are adjusting to accommodate the lifestyle of business travellers.

Do you make time for wellness when travelling for business?

Press stay.

30/01/2024

Events are playgrounds for experimentation.

Every event should do something new each edition because these moments will shape the future of events and destinations.

Urban Future 2023 in Stuttgart did this by setting up a long table on a pedestrian street (the only one in Stuttgart) and hosting a dinner.

What was so special about this dinner?

1️⃣ They were the first to do this and that required big coordination with city authorities, event organiser, associations, suppliers, and even the Mayor of Stuttgart attended.

2️⃣ They introduced a new concept: fine dining with rescued veggies that would otherwise have been thrown away. Strong message here to STOP food waste ✋🏼

3️⃣ The guest list included not only event attendees but also local residents and for both to share ideas.

This concept is a big inspiration for other cities. It highlights sustainability and the value that events bring to destinations by involving local communities.

Share other sustainable event concepts in comments, let’s keep this discussion going 🌿

29/01/2024

How does maintain its status as the go-to event agency in Germany and internationally?

I spent a day with the biggest event agency in Germany to find out.

Here’s what they are doing:

1. Always looking for what’s next.

VOK DAMS has been in business for over 40 years. Key to staying top of mind and working with top brands is that they are constantly looking for and implementing what’s next.

2. International focus.

With their headquarters in Wuppertal and a total of six offices in Germany, along with 13 more offices globally they are close to their clients and understand the intricacies of each market.

3. Approachable and actively participate in key industry events.

They often hold keynotes and share their best practices, contributing to the development of the industry and not keeping it to themselves.

4. Family-owned company with a strong corporate culture.

Some employees have been with VOK DAMS for over 25 years. They also have company traditions where all the offices come together at least once a year.

5. Strong collaboration between all offices.

All international teams collaborate closely via a platform to learn from each other and help each other.

6. Implement hybrid formats.

Even though the demand for hybrid events has changed since the pandemic, VOK DAMS continues to implement hybrid event formats when necessary.

Employees have the flexibility to work in a hybrid form, whether from home or the office.

7. Set industry standards.

They are the industry. They present new event formats, publishing studies and books.

8. First event agency in Germany to obtain ISO 20121 certification.

They have a CSR department and a cross department CSR team that regularly meets to brainstorm ideas and strategies for internal and external implementation with clients.

9. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI and integrate it both internally and externally.

VOK DAMS’ innovative practices inspire improvements and growth in the events industry, and it has been very inspiring to visit the team in Wuppertal HQ!

What would you like to know about agency life?

19/01/2024

Davos 2024, World Economic Forum, the most important business event.

Here’s what and who inspired me:

The companies that exhibit during the WEF have ‘Houses’ on the promenade. The best and busiest house was the Inclusivity Lounge. While some Houses or sessions were invite-only, everyone was able to join the Inclusivity Lounge. I observed and found it very interesting that there was always a good flow of people coming and going, so even for the most popular sessions, there was ALWAYS a place, or you could still get a good view of the session standing, or watch it on one of the screens at the lounge. The House was over two floors with a terrace and a stunning view. All very Instagrammable as well. Congratulations to and her amazing team for the most buzzing House on the promenade.

Serendipity effect: The amount of information about events is overwhelming, so you lean into serendipity to try and sort out the information and plan your day. There are few sessions that were fully booked weeks ahead, such as Sam Altman’s from OpenAI, but otherwise, there’s so much going on you will find something interesting.

Interview with from : the reason I came in the first place was to interview David. David has been organising events at the WEF for 18 years, and I’m going to share more next week with you. It was like a masterclass in event management for me!

Interview with , CEO of spoke about his active role in putting tourism on the map of the world economy and strengthening the confidence of the tourism industry.

The most inspiring use of livestreaming was by CNBC. Do you remember the Covid days when we said virtual events need to be like a TV production? Here, I saw it, and it was mind-blowing how they keep the interactivity on the screen.

My Davos moment was seeing perform. David is a Performance Painter, and he created a visual representation of the messages spoken on stage at the Equality Lounge to represent the flipping point.

I saved all the insights in stories, so go and check it out.

13/11/2021

‘Our big threat in the long run is not making a mistake, it’s lack of innovation. Our risk is failing to come up with creative ideas for how to entertain our customers, and therefore becoming irrelevant.’ One of the many lessons can learn from Netflix.

Join us for the launch of book club where we are reading No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by by Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings.

📆2 December at 20:00 CET.
🔗 Sign up via the link in bio.

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ad • Both @alilahotels properties in Oman are top choices for incentive travel. I spoke with Moataz Albalushi, Sales Manager at Alila Resorts Oman, and here’s what I learned: 1️⃣ Exclusive location: These are the only two Alila properties in the Middle East. 2️⃣ Two distinct experiences: Guests can choose between a mountain retreat at @alilajabalakhdar, located at 2,500 meters above sea level, or a desert escape in Salalah at @alilahinubay. 3️⃣ High satisfaction: According to Moataz, ‘No one leaves unhappy.’ 4️⃣ Exclusive outdoor spaces: The properties offer exclusive use of their outdoor areas. 5️⃣ Variety of activities: Guests can enjoy activities like kayaking, mountain biking, and sunrise/sunset yoga to complement business events. 6️⃣ Wildlife encounters: There are opportunities to see dolphins in the ocean and flamingos in the lagoon. 7️⃣ All-inclusive experience: The 45-hectare properties provide an all-inclusive resort experience with all amenities under one roof. 7️⃣ Perfect for combining business and leisure: The properties are ideal for blending business meetings with outdoor activities. Have you stayed at one of the Alila properties in Oman? Share your experience in the comments. #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #eventprofs #oman #alila #alilahotels

ad • Events are one of the pillars shaping the future of Oman. OMAN Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) @omanconvention is at the forefront of bringing the right events to the destinations. These events are aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040. This year at IMEX, I caught up with Sheikha Al Mugheiry, Sales Manager International and Conferences at OCEC, to get the latest insights on Oman Sustainability Week that took place just a few weeks prior to IMEX. The event has grown since last year and has strengthened its focus on creating a lasting legacy for the country.

Press stay/ hosted • World’s busiest airport has a best-kept secret. Let me introduce you to the @frankfurtairportmarriott and @sheratonfrankfurtairport - a game-changer for business travellers and event planners. This dual-brand powerhouse isn’t just conveniently located - it’s a destination in itself. With 1017 rooms, it’s one of Europe’s largest airport hotels in Europe. My IMEX experience just got better this year staying at the Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel: With quick public transport access to IMEX, M lounge, attending IMEX gala dinner at the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center and the departure lounge made it a smooth experience. My new definition of luxury is convenience, right where you need it most ✨ What’s do you prioritise when travelling for business? #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #eventprofs #AirportHotel #EventsIndustry #IMEX

ad • Exclusive lounge experience with top views over Berlin will elevate your next stay in Berlin. In the newly renovated Club InterContinental Lounge @intercontinental_berlin, you can expect an exclusive experience: Check-in and check-out services for your convenience Breakfast, a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, afternoon tea and evening canapés before heading for dinner. The Club InterContinental also has 70 newly designed rooms and suites on the club floors for extra privacy and comfort. Here’s a little insight from my recent stay. #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #eventprofs #ihg #ihghotelsandresorts #ihghotels #ihgeurope #ihgonerewards #intercontinentallife #intercontinental #renovation #intercontinentalberlin

I spoke to Stephen Rose, Head of Communication Services at Siemens, at @ice_stuff18. Here are a few insights about why awards are important to them, the scope of work of their events team and bringing the ICE Awards to Germany. #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #eventprofs

ad • Think outside the boardroom. A change of scenery can transform a standard business meeting into an extraordinary experience that leaves a lasting impression on your team, making them more productive and creative. Only a short distance from St. Gallen, Säntis Mountain and «Säntis – the Hotel» is the perfect getaway for a day activity or a conference. I visited the destination back in March, and it was the perfect addition to my programme before attending a conference back in St. Gallen. I just published a detailed blog post about the destination St. Gallen for business events. You can find the complete guide to this top business destination via the link in my bio. #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #eventprofs #StGallen #Säntis

ad • Think vegan catering is boring and won’t satisfy meat lovers? Let’s change that perspective and make vegan dishes the highlight of your event. Atelier Five at @renzrhtower which opened in late 2023, has quickly become popular for its fine dining vegan and vegetarian options. I had a chance to experience it during the Go Sustainable trip. Chefs Raphael Kuster and Mate Schneider prepare food in front of guests, ensuring no food waste. They use seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques like coffee grounds for spices and fermentation for umami. Seasonal ingredients like asparagus and wild garlic dominated the menu. Highlights included celery presented like a fish dish and pompom mushrooms with a meat-like texture. Apples, often underestimated in fine dining, were given a sophisticated twist. This experience showed how vegan cuisine can impress and satisfy. It will make attendees prioritise these dishes over meat options. They might not even notice! What unique vegan dishes have impressed your guests? Share your experiences in the comments! #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #eventprofs #GoSustainable #Zurich

ad • Venue spotlight: Verein Netzwerk Neubad @neubadluzern, a swimming pool turned event venue and community meeting space. The full blog post and spotlight on Lucerne as a sustainable event destination is now on my blog. Link in bio. #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #meetingprofs #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings

I attended @urban__future, and they’ve made sustainability a core part of their event design. I interviewed Lisa Marie Gatterbauer, Head of Communications at Urban Future, and she shared with me how these sustainable practices are seamlessly integrated into this major event for 2000 attendees, and you can integrate them into your event as well. Thank you @digitalmind.events for the question. Now let’s see how they did it. Travel by train They encourage their speakers and attendees to opt for train travel. I also travelled from Heidelberg to Rotterdam by train. Vegetarian and vegan catering The event offered vegetarian and vegan catering and supported ‘bring your own bottle’ initiative. Eco-friendly branding All branding materials were from cardboard. They encurged exhibitors to minimize paper usage by displaying information on provided boards with QR codes for digital access. Sustainable materials They used grass paper for event badges. The shirts the team wore and the merchandise available were all eco-friendly. Recycled decor The plants at the venue were rented, and their pots made from recycled plastic. Collaboration with local companies Urban Future collaborated with local suppliers, including photographers and videographers and for field trips attendees explored Rotterdam through different sustainable initiatives. This event brought urban sustainability experts together, but also showed how to organise sustainable events that leave legacy after the event is over. Which of these ideas would you like to implement in your next event? Do you have more ideas to share? Let me know in the comment.

Last week the third edition of the @ice_stuff18 took place in Germany. This award gives recognition to in-house corporate event planners. This year it was at Siemens HQ in Munich, and I spoke to the founder Anita, to hear the latest developments and the value it brings to corporate event planner. In what ways do you think awards can influence or improve the event industry?

ad • City, lake and mountain all in one day during your business event? That’s Lucerne, Switzerland. Just under an hour from Zurich, Lucerne combines stunning nature with first-class infrastructure for sustainable business events. I recently joined the ‘Go Sustainable’ study trip, organised by the Lucerne Convention Bureau and Zurich Convention Bureau. We used the Swiss Travel Pass that gives you unlimited use of public transport, my personal travel hack for Switzerland. We started with a city tour with a local guide and stopped at the Lucerne Water Tower for a coffee break. They have a small and exclusive event space there. From there we continued by boat with the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company’s @lakelucerne_official Vessel Cirrus, had a vegan lunch on board, exhibition and networking with panoramic views. Then we continued our journey with the Rigi Bahnen @rigi.ch, a mountain railway powered by renewable energy. We made a stop for Kirsch tasting workshop, learning about Swiss culinary traditions because it’s a key ingredient in the Swiss fondue. This was an interactive workshop with Lukas Fassbind of Dettling and we tasted 7 different types of Kirsch. I learned that in Lucerne-Lake Lucerne region every mode of transport adds a unique layer to your event, and it’s not just about reaching your destination, it’s the journey and it can be sustainable 🌿 #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #meetingprofs #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings

ad • IHG Ignite, the biggest IHG Hotels & Resorts group event, is in Europe for the first time. This week, the @intercontinental_berlin hosted 450 international guests. I joined to bring you behind-the-scenes coverage from the event ⤵️ Event spaces that were used for the event: Pavilion Potsdam Winter Garden Marlene Restaurant HUGOS Private Dining Rooms Exhibitions and one-on-one appointments were held at the Pavilion. The Winter Garden was arranged for breakfast and lunch, prepared by Head Chef Henning Drenkhahn and his team. The Potsdam room, equipped with impressive lighting, technology and sound served as the conference room. Marlene Restaurant hosted an evening reception with live music, delicious food, and a variety of cocktails, including non-alcoholic options like non-alcoholic gin. The hotel brought the IHG Hotels & Resorts brand to life. Here’s how: Consistent throughout the event, background music, delicious food, an on-site barista, attentive service, and of course, the convenience of having everything under one roof with 558 guest rooms. It’s impressive to see the event spaces come to life. The last time I was here, no event took place. The possibilities of space usage at InterContinental Berlin create a luxury of space. Each of the event spaces delivered a bespoke experience, maximum comfort and top notch hospitality. For more behind-the-scenes, follow me on my Instagram Stories. You can find me at @themiceblog. Sponsored post in collaboration with InterContinental Berlin.

Time is the new luxury ✨ Philip from theomanexpedition @silentsandsoman shared with me their unique glamping experience for groups. Sponsored post in collaboration with Oman Ministry of Heritage & Tourism.

At @imex_group this year I spoke to Denitsa Arabadzhieva, Area Director, Central, Southern and Eastern Europe at Singapore Tourism Board to hear about their latest MICE news. #MICE #Meetings #Incentives #Conferences #Exhibitions #EventProfs #EventPlanning #ConferencePlanning #CorporateEvents #EventManagement #EventProfs #IMEX #IMEX24

Remember the START Summit I attended months ago? Well, the engagement doesn’t end there. Year-round engagement is key to their success. At the recent @imex_group we discussed how @start_global has become one of the largest startup events in Europe. It goes beyond the two-day main event. They maintain engagement throughout the year by hosting regional events, workshops and forming strategic partnerships. START Summit in numbers: - 7,000+ attendees in St. Gallen. - 22 unicorn founders. - 210 speakers. - 5 stages. What’s more, this is not your typical business event. It’s unique for its festival-like atmosphere. Some standout features include the ‘techno tunnel’ entrance and fun activities like a ‘unicorn rodeo.’ Students organise the event. With its high workloads, students take one year off to volunteer for the experience, getting skills in time management and collaboration, along with excellent industry networking opportunities. We shared this case study at IMEX. @jan_bohe, Director of Communications at START Global, spoke about the innovation, creativity and challenges they face. Here’s a short highlight video from the two sessions at IMEX. 🎥 @jpbujan - I LOVE MICE and bringing you the latest trends and innovations. Keep in touch with the latest trends by subscribing to my newsletter. Link in bio.

Ad • Latest venue openings in Geneva for business events and business travel. What’s your top one? Let me know in the comments below. Sponsored post in collaboration with Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation and @scib_switzerland. #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #meetingprofs #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings

Few impressions from this year’s @imex_group. It’s always great to reconnect with the global events industry in Frankfurt for three days, thought it still felt too short. Thanks @jpbujan for the 🎥 #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #meetingprofs #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #IMEX24 #IMEX #IMEXFrankfurt

Urban Future Conference kicked off in Rotterdam. Gerald Babel-Sutter, founder and CEO @urban__future opened the conference with a strong and inspiring message to set the agenda for the next days. #UrbanFuture #UF24 #UrbanFutureRotterdam #FutureofCities #GreenCities #Sustainability #eventprofs

Ad Get ready for @urban__future with me. It’s just under one week to go, and here’s a little preview of what to expect. I’m looking forward to returning to @rotterdam.ahoy for the event and exploring more of Rotterdam during the field trips. Stay tuned for all the updates next week. Sponsored post in collaboration with Rotterdam Partners, Gemeente Rotterdam and Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre. #UF24 #UrbanFuture #Rotterdam #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #meetingprofs #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings

Destination news from the show floor at @imex_group. I spoke to Lujaina Al Maskari, Business Events Executive at Ministry of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman and she shared with me the latest news: 1. New hotel openings. 2. The @omanconvention working in full capacity with international events. 3. DMC groups opening a local office in Oman seeing the high demand for the destination. In my previous posts I shared how new and surprising the destination is for international attendees who’ve been to many countries for business events but when they arrive in Oman it’s usually their first time and a pleasant surprise. Have you been to Oman? #MICEevents #eventplanning #corporateevents #meetingprofs #eventplanner #corporatehospitality #destinationmanagement #meetingindustry #eventmarketing #businessmeetings #IMEX24 #IMEX #IMEXFrankfurt

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