Meeting Community

Tourism Vancouver Fills CEO Role Left Unexpectedly Vacant

2020/05/26

British Columbia’s oldest destination marketing organization has named a new ‘ambassador.’ Longtime Travel Alberta president and CEO Royce Chwin will head up Tourism Vancouver, starting July 13. “The tourism and hospitality industry is a critical part of Vancouver’s future economic success,” says Chwin. “I’m excited to return to my hometown to join this world-class organization and destination to help rebuild the vibrant tourism economy that Vancouver is admired for globally.” Chwin replaces former CEO Ty Speer, who left suddenly and…
Reopening Exhibitions Key to Rebuilding Economies: GED 2020 Focus

2020/05/26

Global Exhibitions Day (GED) is going virtual in 2020 due to COVID-19. Held each June, exhibit and event industry professionals come together to foster relationships and build awareness with legislators and other policy influencers. This year, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events aims to raise awareness of, and advocacy for, the impact face-to-face exhibitions have on local economies, and the critical role they play in building businesses and connecting people around the world. GED is actively supported and promoted…
CMEExpo Launches Free Webinar Series for Meeting, Event Professionals

2020/05/26

The largest and longest running trade show and conference for meeting and event professionals has launched a brand new virtual learning program. Called Speaker Series, the webinars will feature exclusive interviews with top industry leaders and experts about topics that matter most to attendees. “Our live event is known for its gold star education. To be able to deliver the same level of content through webinars will allow us to inspire our community of meeting professionals in a new way,”…
Expansion of CAEM Mentorship Program Aims to Create Sense of Community

2020/05/26

The Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM) has opened applications for its expanded mentorship program. The broadened program will not only foster mentor-mentee relationships but enable peer-to-peer ones, too. CAEM says it hopes the change will create a greater sense of community during these unprecedented times. Launched in 2019, the mentorship program matches leaders in Canada’s event and exposition community with emerging business professionals to inspire and enable them to become the leaders of tomorrow. To apply, mentors must have…
Canadian Airline Revs Up for Summer with New Schedule, Cancellation Policy

2020/05/26

The country’s largest airline is ready for take-off, even if the advisory against non-essential travel remains in place for Canadians. Air Canada has released a new summer flight schedule to nearly 100 cities in North America and globally, at a time when some economies begin to open up. Within Canada, the schedule will increase to 58 routes in June from 34 in May, with more to be added in August and September. “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, during…
Steps to Protect Yourself if an Event is Cancelled

2020/05/12

Many events have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in cancellations. Some vendors have returned deposits while others have agreed to hold them as a credit toward rescheduled events. Then there are those who have refused refunds or credits altogether. Why the difference? It often comes down to the terms included in your contract. With uncertainty around the outbreak and, consequently, when in-person events may take place, it’s important to review the cancellation policy to avoid a penalty. Also,…
GBAC Star Certification to Help with Reopening of Events Industry

2020/05/12

A new program will enable public venues of all sizes to create and maintain an effective cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention plan that could help with the safe resumption of face-to-face events and allay attendee concerns. Unveiled by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of the worldwide cleaning industry association ISSA, GBAC Star establishes requirements to assist facilities with work practices, protocols, procedures and systems to control and minimize the risk associated with virulent agents like the strain…
Study Shows Increased Confidence in COVID-19 Business Restoration

2020/05/12

Most companies are planning COVID-19 recovery for 2020, with one-third preparing for it in the next three months, according to a new report by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). “The global business travel industry remains at a standstill but we are finally beginning to see some light at the end of this very long tunnel,” says GBTA CEO, Scott Solombrino. GBTA is a business travel and meetings trade organization with operations on six continents. It surveyed almost 1,600 member…
Canadian Task Force to Tackle Exposition Industry Recovery

2020/05/12

A task force has been established to help with the resumption of trade and consumer shows. Created by the Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM), the 24-person group will lay the groundwork for the responsible, safe and effective reopening of the exposition industry, which has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Business events serve as an immense driver of economic growth and innovation,” says CAEM president, Catherine MacNutt. “By uniting as an industry and collaborating with our strategic partners…
Sanitized Air Travel to Affect More than 70 Points in Passenger Journey: Report

2020/05/12

Dozens of areas in an airport could change after the coronavirus pandemic to restore confidence in flying, according to a leading aviation marketing consultancy firm. In its latest report, SimpliFlying details what it will be like to fly in the age of ‘sanitized’ travel, from check-in through arrival at the destination. Highlights of the multi-step approach to passenger safety include all bags to be ‘sanitagged,’ the touchless cabin, in-flight janitor and the end of the ‘30-minute turn.’ Beginning with online…