Live from IMEX Frankfurt, Eventful Encounters gathered two global voices to explore how business events are being strategically embedded into national economic growth. Carlos Martinez (Mexico City Tourism Fund) and Glenton de Kock (South African Association for the Conference Industry - SAACI) [AB1] unpacked how infrastructure, policy alignment, and community engagement are turning events into long-term investments.

As associations worldwide grapple with a rapidly shifting political and economic landscape, new research from The Hague and Partners Convention Bureau in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives offers a vital snapshot of the challenges ahead. Discussed in-depth here on Eventful Encounters, Head of the Convention Bureau, Bas Schot laid out not only the concerning findings but also how destinations and venues can offer solutions.

At this year's ICCA UK & Ireland Conference in Leeds we caught up with the team launching new tools to encourage inclusion through neurodiversity at event. Listen in and learn more.

We sat down with ICCA's regional directors for Europe to learn more about ICCA and how it impacts our industry.

During our podcast recording with Dot Lung we ended up chatting about influencers - so hit record again and wanted to share this bonus material...

At The Eastside Rooms, we’re thrilled to host this year’s ABPCO Festival of Learning on April 29, with the newly introduced Technology Showcase taking place the evening before.

This prestigious event, aimed at bringing together the entire association events industry, represents the perfect intersection of collaboration, education, and innovation—values we hold dear. We interview Heather Lishman (ABPCO Association Director) and Pauline Beatie (ABPCO Co-chair) to learn more.

This episode Leanne and Tanita sit down with “Mother of Social Dragons” Dot Lung to talk about her Dragon formula, event social activations and the importance of authenticity.

Plus keep an eye out for a bonus issue recorded with Dot, looking at influencer marketing and comms. It will be dropping over the next few weeks.

This month, Leanne and Tanita catch up with association event professionals, Kate Sargent and Julie Watterston. Following a month where The Eastside Rooms revealed record breaking success in this key sector, Leanne and Tanita wanted to explore the many ways venues and destinations can do even more to succeed with their association clients.