Incentives and meetings

Nick Dugdale-Moore, Regional Manager Europe for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, looks at the impact of the crisis on professional events, the trend towards hybrid events and the future of meetings & events.

Entry restrictions in some countries, compulsory quarantines in others: for a few more months, international tourism will be under observation by governments and businesses alike.

Having been deprived of visitors for many months, convention centres have identified "phygital" - a neologism that emphasises the combination of the physical and the digital - as the alternative solution for revitalising the business while complying with health regulations.

With nearly 25,000 MICE events and spending approaching two billion euros in 2019, the conference and events industry in Poland is a major economic sector. However, according to Pawel Rozen, Director of MICE for the Warsaw Tourism Organisation, there is little chance of a solid recovery in the sector before 2022, the most optimistic scenario. 

Le Puy du Fou is strengthening its MICE offering with the opening of a conference centre for events with 500-600 participants.

European leader in the organisation of seminars, events and training, Châteauform' is opening an inspiring new venue dedicated to professional training at La Défense, the Learning Lab.

Inaugurated at the beginning of September, MEETT combines a 40,000 m2 exhibition centre with a convention centre that can accommodate 10,000 people.

The exhibition industry suffered a sharp fall in Asia-Pacific, with 65% less space sold in China and 90 % less in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Following an audit by the Socotec Group, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes has been awarded the health and safety label.

Germany has eased its restrictions on bringing people together, allowing the MICE sector to take off again. Event organisers in Berlin can also benefit from financial support from the local government.

Gérald Coutaudier, Châteauform's Managing Director, talks about the group's takeover of its seminar business.

UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) has just published its bimonthly barometer analysing trends and developments in the exhibition industry over the first half of 2020. The barometer provides an initial summary of the impact of COVID on this part of the MICE industry. The study received responses from 459 companies and businesses in 62 countries and regions. 

The UK and Ireland Chapter of the CICA has just published a survey of its members on their new working habits.

September 1 will mark the resumption of trade fairs, congresses and the event industry as a whole, which has been at a standstill since the start of the health crisis. IFTM Top Resa will have to wait until November 17.

The Châteauform group is confident about its business from 1 September, thanks to postponements of events cancelled since March and unprecedented requests for quotes.

The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau (OTCP) has just published a barometer analysing the outlook for business tourism in the capital. The results, still mixed as summer approaches, will need to be refined between now and the autumn.

Chateauform approached Socotec to review the protocols established in its 63 homes and ensure the health safety of company events.

Arnaud Katz, CEO of Bird Office, gives his analysis of the upturn in the meetings and events sector. New trends come with new constraints, but the co-founder of Bird Office is confident about the future of the market.

Paris' top ranking in the ICCA, Covid-19, flexibility and connectivity: Pablo Nakhle Cerruti, CEO of Viparis, discusses the impact of the current crisis and outlines new prospects for the recovery of Viparis sites.

Deconfinement, teleworking, the relevance of the coworking model for the "next world", Wojo Corners in Accor hotels: Stéphane Bensimon, Chairman of Wojo, discusses the impact of the current crisis and the future of his coworking spaces.