Incentives and meetings

Biarritz Tourisme has just received its ISO 20121 certification, the necessary step before being awarded the "Innovative and Sustainable Destination" label. A new standard to which many French cities are committed.

At a time when corporate events are being driven by new needs within companies, Bird Office and Kactus have decided to merge to create a market-leading technology platform.

UNIMEV is launching the "Ev& Terr" club, bringing together members of parliament and local elected representatives, to continue the development of the events industry and build a relationship of trust with local authorities.

Postillion Hotels' hotels backed by vast conference centres, and Maritim Hotels' similar project in Amsterdam: the Netherlands stands out for its integrated MICE destinations.

Benjamin Abittan, Deputy Managing Director of Châteauform', takes a look at what's going on at his group and what makes it special: strong business and growth, a new Inside offering and office life, a humanist corporate culture.

La Rochelle Tourisme et Evénements has set up a Convention Bureau, making it one of the few cities of its size in France to have such a service dedicated to business tourism, with ISO 20121 certification underway and the Encan space being extended.

Vienna is once again the leader in the ICCA congress city rankings, well ahead of Paris and Berlin, which were heavily penalised by the pandemic. Relegated to the bottom of the top 10, the French and German capitals saw significantly less congress activity in 2021 than Lisbon, Athens and Barcelona.

The Lille Grand Palais congress centre and the Zénith in Lille have just been awarded ISO 20121 certification, in recognition of the responsible management applied to the events sector. This distinction is in addition to other CSR initiatives.

Around the Notre-Dame de Lorette district, in the 9th arrondissement, and bordering on the 10th arrondissement as far as rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, a whole Paris of gastronomy is flourishing, with two young addresses and one established name run by entrepreneur-restaurateurs who are giving the area a boost. So many good addresses for business lunches.

Monaco's Grimaldi Forum will increase its exhibition capacity by 50 % by 2025, with an extension integrated into the development of a new eco-district.

The Edinburgh International Conference Centre, while taking over the services of the city's convention bureau, has announced the development of a Hyatt Centric hotel close to the convention centre.

Looking for a sunny destination to organise an incentive trip or corporate event? Malta will be just what you're looking for!

Hilton has reached a major milestone in the construction of a premier business hub in North Bangalore: Hilton Hotels Embassy Manyata.

Boosted by its new Palais des Congrès and the renovation and opening of top-of-the-range hotels, the seaside resort on the Côte d'Opale aims to become once again one of France's leading event destinations. Here's a look at what's new on the Pas-de-Calais coast.

New York is making a comeback in Europe, and particularly in France, Europe's second biggest market. More than half a million French visitors are expected this year. Business travellers will still be missing out, but New York is saying it loud and clear: "It's Time for New York City", the slogan of its new campaign...

With the launch of Carbon Neutral Events, American Express Meetings & Events aims to strengthen its offer of advice on eco-responsible meetings and events.

Switzerland is easily accessible from all parts of France, whether by air, rail or road. The country's dense rail and motorway networks make it easy to get around. For MICE organisers, cities and cantons generally offer a dedicated team to answer all logistical and organisational questions.

Solothurn has the reputation of being the Baroque capital of Switzerland. As well as the beautiful architecture of its old town, the city has another attraction for French travellers: having been the city of residence of the French ambassadors for more than 250 years.

It's between the Neuchâtel Jura and the cantons of Bern and Fribourg that we take a meandering journey through time. The heart of the watchmaking industry and a land of unspoilt medieval towns, this tour reveals a Switzerland that's a little off the beaten track.

One of the smallest capitals in Europe, Bern has been at the heart of political life since 1848, home to most of the institutions of the Swiss Confederation, including parliament, the chancellery and the state departments. It is also at the heart of the country, easy to reach by rail or road. An ideal venue for congresses and conferences, with an exceptional historic urban setting.