New research finds business events generated US$3.1 trillion in total business sales, contributed US$1.8 trillion to global GDP and supported 24.2 million jobs in 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (4 August […]
EIC Releases Full 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study Read Post »
IMEX, an Events Industry Council Corporate Member and Strategic Partner, has released a new white paper examining how business events can help cities, regions and nations attract talent, investment and
New IMEX White Paper Explores the Strategic Role of Business Events in Place Leadership Read Post »
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (23 June 2026) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today released the Q1
As the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study has now confirmed, our industry is one of the most powerful economic and societal forces in the world. The research
Beyond Economic Impact: Why It’s Time We Tell a Stronger Story About Business Events Read Post »
With more than 20 years in the events industry, Deanna Griffith-House brings to the table a rich background in complex project management, honed through years of orchestrating high-profile events on a global scale. Her expertise extends beyond mere logistics, encompassing event portfolio strategy and implementation with a meticulous eye for detail. Her strategic acumen is matched only by the ability to conceptualize innovative experiences that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.
The future of the global business events industry took centre stage at the Events Industry Council’s Global Meetings Industry Day programme, held at La Maison Française at the Embassy of
New global research with Oxford Economics finds business events generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending and supported US$1.8 trillion in total GDP worldwide in 2025 The Events Industry Council
EIC Releases 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Executive Summary Read Post »
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing Futures Landscape Series, exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in the EIC Futures Landscape Study 2025.
A Sector Defined by Resilience: A Global View of Travel and Tourism in a Disrupted World Read Post »
The Events Industry Council (EIC) today released the latest edition of its Quarterly Global Business Events Barometer, revealing continued recovery and long-term confidence across the global business events industry, even
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (24 March 2026) The Events Industry Council (EIC) today announced the launch of Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) 2026 and advocacy framework, a worldwide year-round initiative that
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (18 March 2026) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today announced the launch
EIC Launches Global Survey for Economic Significance of Business Events Study Read Post »
The Futures Landscape Study 2025 identifies Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a key force shaping the industry’s future. Increasingly, belonging is becoming an operational outcome of well-designed events. As
Belonging By Design: Operationalizing DEI Across the Event Lifecycle Read Post »
A member of EIC’s Sustainability and Social Impact Committee, Erika Gonzalez is a strategy and operations professional with experience spanning sustainability implementation, hospitality, food systems, cross-functional project management, and organizational operations. With roots in hospitality management and sustainable tourism, she brings a people-centered approach to translating complex priorities into practical, scalable solutions.
For more than thirty years, I have lived and worked across four continents. This was never part of a carefully designed career plan. I did not set out to become
DEI as a Driver of Innovation: What 30 Years Across 4 Continents Taught Me Read Post »
Award-winning hospitality industry leader Benoit Sauvage, DMCP, CMP Fellow, CITP, is the Founder and CEO of Connect DMC, a leading Destination Management Company operating in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. He is also the Founder and CEO of Hospitality Sustainability Revolution (HSR), a global consulting firm supporting hospitality stakeholders in their sustainability journey.
Born in Paris, France, Benoit has lived and worked across 4 continents over the past 30 years. He brings more than 25 years of experience delivering high-end, complex destination services to clients worldwide, with a strong focus on creativity, attention to detail, community engagement, and sustainable practices.
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing Futures Landscape Series, exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in the EIC Futures Landscape Study 2025.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Expanding Who Gets to Be in the Room Read Post »
When thinking about the mobility landscape as it pertains to business events, you are faced with an astonishing web of separate but connected industries such as air transport and ground
Understanding the Evolving Mobility Landscape for Business Events Read Post »
Marcus Eng, CMP Fellow, DES, is the Senior Director of Meeting Operations at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a trade association representing more than 1,500 public and private sector organizations involved in public transit in the U.S. and Canada. As part of APTA’s meetings team, Marcus helps produce more than 15 major face-to-face meetings throughout the country, including APTA’s annual meeting and expo, which attracts more than 10,000 attendees.
Mobility has always been foundational to the business events industry. The ability for people to cross borders, share knowledge, and build relationships in person is core to the sector’s value
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing Futures Landscape Series, exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in the EIC Futures Landscape
Navigating a More Complex World: Mobility and the Future of Business Events Read Post »
In a world shaped by a desire for connection, evolving work patterns and rising expectations around purpose, one fundamental truth remains: gathering in person matters. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report Special Sectionoffers
Why We Gather: Hilton’s 2026 Trends Reinforce the Enduring Value of Business Events Read Post »
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (29 January 2026) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition and standards, today announced the
In 2022, ConferenceDirect committed, through the SME Climate Hub, to reducing our carbon footprint by 30% by 2030. As one of the larger companies in the meetings industry, we recognized
Evolving the Business Model: How Sustainability Is Reshaping the Meetings Industry Read Post »
With more than 35 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry, Larry Hanson serves as Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer at ConferenceDirect. In this multifaceted role, he oversees marketing strategy, recruiting, sustainability initiatives, and conference management operations.
Throughout his career, Larry has led teams, managed complex budgets, and inspired creativity across diverse projects. Passionate about sustainability both personally and professionally, he champions responsible practices that drive long-term impact both for ConferenceDirect and their customers. A lifelong learner, Larry thrives in the ever-evolving world of hospitality and events and looks forward to collaborating with industry peers to shape a more sustainable future.
Events are carrying more weight than ever. Costs are up, travel is harder to justify, and audiences expect a higher return on their investment of time and money. Event professionals
New Event Models to Meet This Moment Read Post »
Beth Surmont is an event strategist who works with associations to reimagine their events. With experience in both corporate and non-profit events, and as the Head of Strategy & Design for 360 Live Media, Beth is a leading designer of the next era of events.
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing content series exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in EIC’s 2025 Futures Landscape Study. Each month, we
Accessibility has always been central to our industry’s purpose: bringing people together across physical, digital, and cultural barriers. But the next frontier asks us to go deeper. As our world
From Access to Capacity: Why Neuroinclusion Is the Next Frontier in Event Design Read Post »
Yush Sztalkoper, CMP, is the founder of NeuroSpark+, helping the events industry design for human sustainability through neuroinclusion and systems transformation. With almost two decades designing global corporate events at UBS, JPMorgan, and Gartner, she now pioneers neuroinclusion frameworks for the AI era—using the events industry as a laboratory for capacity-first approaches that reshape how we create human connection at scale.
Yush created The Human OS™, Root Reflection™ diagnostic, SHIFT Pathway™, and NeuroDesign™ methodology—a complete system that scales from individuals to entire industries, moving all from surviving to thriving.
As part of our Futures Landscape Series focus on Accessibility and Inclusion, Beth Surmont, CMP Fellow sat down with Samantha “Sam” Evans, ICE-CCP, CAE, MBA, Certification Director at IAAP (International
Accessibility Starts with the Design, Not the Request Read Post »
Beth Surmont is an event strategist who works with associations to reimagine their events. With experience in both corporate and non-profit events, and as the Head of Strategy & Design for 360 Live Media, Beth is a leading designer of the next era of events.
Artificial intelligence may be reshaping the way we plan, produce and personalise events—but one of its most powerful capabilities lies in its ability to make business events more accessible, inclusive and
Partner Insights: Creating More Accessible and Inclusive Events with AI Read Post »
We’ve all heard it before: “This event wasn’t fully accessible.” But do we truly understand what accessibility means? For many, accessibility first brings to mind physical features—ramps, elevators, or restrooms
Rethinking Accessibility at Events Read Post »
Elena Fis holds a Sustainable Event Professional Certificate and has been a member of the EIC Sustainability and Social Impact Committee since 2024. She is also collaborating with IAPCO and became a member of IAPCO EDI and sustainability committee consulting on various initiatives and supporting Meetings and events industry in this area.
Elena been part of the Kenes Group for more than a decade. In 2023 she was promoted to Kenes Sustainability Officer and in November 2024 was named a global Sustainability Manager in the company. She had taken on a bigger task at hand: to develop Kenes Group’s internal and external sustainability policies, develop sustainability strategies for Kenes clients and PCO’s original events, support Kenes association clients, implement the processes and practices that will include gender equality, responsible consumption and production, quality education and good health and well-being.
Editor’s Note: This article continues the Events Industry Council’s ongoing content series exploring the macro forces shaping the global business events industry, as identified in EIC’s 2025 Futures Landscape Study. Each month,
The Future of Accessibility and Inclusion: Designing Events for Every Human Experience Read Post »
Editor’s Note: This month we begin an ongoing content series highlighting the factors shaping the global business events industry, as identified by EIC’s 2025 Futures Landscape Study. Each month we
By Amy Calvert, EIC President and CEO As we reflect on the 40th Anniversary of the Hall of Leaders recognition, an inspiring Global Awards ceremony and the extraordinary energy of
EIC Introduces Futures Landscape Series Read Post »
WASHINGTON, DC, USA (7 October 2025) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry, today released its Global Events Barometer for 2025 Q2. The findings
Seminal Research to be Released in Conjunction with Global Meetings Industry Day WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. (15 September 2025) — The Events Industry Council, the global voice of the business events
EIC Announces 2026 Global Economic Significance Study and Advocacy Day Read Post »
In a world gripped by disruption ranging from economic shocks to geopolitical instability, the business and events industry finds itself navigating unprecedented uncertainty. How to Lead with Impact in Extreme
IMEX Report: How to Lead with Impact in Extreme Times Read Post »
Written by Kristin Finley CMP, Sr. Director, Experiential Marketing, Verisk and Board Director, IACC Americas As Certified Meeting Professionals (CMPs), we understand that as the global meetings industry continues to
Kristin Finley is Senior Director of Experiential Marketing at Verisk, where she leads the strategy and execution of high-impact event programs that connect global audiences, elevate brand engagement, and drive business growth. With over 15 years of experience, she’s known for her creative thinking, cross-functional leadership, and passion for designing experiences that connect people and purpose. She also serves on the Board of Directors for IACC Americas.
Report also highlights growing concern about geopolitical conflicts, ongoing policy shifts and the impact tariffs may have on the industry. WASHINGTON, DC, USA (27 June 2025) — Today, the Events
2024 Q4 Report also highlights growing concern about shifting policies and the impact a potential global trade war may have on the industry. WASHINGTON, DC, USA (17 April 2025) —
Latest Global Events Barometer Reports Significant Growth for Business Events in 2024 Read Post »
WASHINGTON, D.C, U.S.A. (March 2025) — The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, today released its Futures
Futures Landscape Report 2025 Read Post »
EIC’s quarterly report shows group hotel nights now surpass 2019 bookings WASHINGTON, DC, USA (29 October 2024) — Today, the Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the
Latest Global Barometer Points to Sustained Recovery for Business Events Industry Read Post »
Survey, created in partnership with the SITE Foundation, seeks insights from cross-section of global business events sector as part of a year-long project to identify emerging issues likely to
Global Business Event Stakeholders Invited to Contribute to Futures Landscape Survey Read Post »
The Events Industry Council (EIC), the global voice of the business events industry on advocacy, research, professional recognition, and standards, today announced an ambitious survey of events industry leaders and meeting professionals as part of a year-long project examining the emerging issues and supporting trends that are most likely to shape the events industry in the years to come.
Events Industry Council Announces Global Futures Landscape Survey Read Post »
