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27 Show report |
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we ’ ve made a huge investment in the city ahead of the Games with new arenas and public transport improvements .”
Destinations and associations used the show to share a variety of new research findings . One example was Destination Canada who revealed results from its Legacy and Impact research study , designed to track the long-term benefits of business events hosted in Canada up to 2025 .
Virginie De Visscher , executive director , Business Events at Destination Canada , explained that one of the keys to successfully leveraging the legacy of any business event is government participation which the data shows can lead to policy change , higher public awareness or even direct government funding .
Insects to Feed the World De Visscher cited the example of Insects to Feed the World conference held in Quebec to raise awareness of an emerging commercial sector : insects as a protein-rich food source for animals , humans and pets . As a direct result of the event , the Canadian government now recognises insects as a livestock and insect producers have secured both funding and new
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“ AI is changing the world and it will drive live events .” |
partnerships as well as a stronger new supply chain .
Genevieve LeClerc , CEO of Meet for Impact which was involved in the study , said : “ This case study exemplifies the impact every city would like to have . It created momentum for a new industry . This is legacy in action , and it ’ s legacy that keeps on giving .”
During IMEX ’ s Policy Forum , speakers emphasised the importance of AI and employing Hollywood-style ‘ elevator pitches ’ to drive the future evolution of the sector .
The forum , titled ‘ Good meetings not more meetings ’, explored why and how the business events industry should evolve from transactional to transformative thinking .
An audience of more than 110 policymakers , event owners and organisers , suppliers , destination representatives , and industry association leaders gathered at the largest Policy Forum since its inception .
One of the speakers , Colja Dams , CEO at VOK DAMS , said : “ AI is changing the world and it will drive live events . The more digital the world becomes , the more content we ’ ll be flooded with and the crazier it gets , there will be only
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one means of communication that ’ s truly authentic – and that is live events .”
Bo Kruger , owner of Moving Minds , discussed strategies on how the industry can effectively communicate the power of events . He recommended drawing inspiration from Hollywood ’ s ‘ high-pitch concept ’ where a movie ’ s premise can be succinctly outlined and easily pitched in just a few minutes . He explained that applying this approach to events could help better communicate their impact .
Natasha Richards , director of Impact & Industry Relations , IMEX Group , added : “ 2024 is a historic election year with elections in 50 countries . The outcome of these elections has huge implications for human rights , economies , international relations , the environment , and prospects for peace in an increasingly volatile world . Now , more than ever , the business events sector must be seen as part of the good future we all want to have . The pandemic has enabled us to reinvent business events – it ’ s now essential to consider if it is still acceptable for our sector to claim that ‘ all meetings are good ’ and explore what constitutes a good meeting to future-proof our industry .”
The Policy Forum was moderated by Jane Cunningham , director of European engagement at Destinations International .
The IMEX Policy Forum was organised in collaboration with the International Association of Convention Centres ( AIPC ), City Destinations Alliance ( City DNA ), Destinations International , German Convention Bureau ( GCB ), the International Congress and Convention Association ( ICCA ) and Meetings Mean Business Coalition , under the auspices of Events Industry Council ( EIC ) and the Joint Meetings Industry Council ( JMIC )
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