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1 week ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Theo Reilly |Jonathan Hammond |Heather Nicholls
The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) has released its latest Economic Impact Report. The data shows sustained post-Covid growth across its membership in 2024. The results were based on responses from 59 member organisations – around half of ABPCO’s membership. It is the second year of reporting, offering year-on-year benchmarks. Key findings62% of members managed event portfolios worth over £1 million. 10% exceeded £10 million. 80% managed portfolios over £500,000.
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3 weeks ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Theo Reilly |Heather Nicholls
The Meetings Industry Association (mia) has responded to Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, delivered in the House of Commons on 26 March. CEO Shonali Devereaux is concerned about the lack of targeted support for the UK’s £61.6bn events industry. Devereaux commented on several key areas of the announcement, including downgraded UK growth forecasts and rising employment costs. Economic contribution overlookedThe Office for Budget Responsibility cut the UK’s growth forecast for 2025 from 2% to 1%.
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1 month ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Heather Nicholls |Theo Reilly
12 Degrees, an event planning agency specialising in purpose-driven experiences, has announced a strategic partnership with fundraising organisation Raise to Rise. The partnership aims to transform Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) events. By combining expert event logistics with proven fundraising strategies, the partnership aims to help businesses create impactful CSR initiatives that go beyond one-time contributions and drive long-term positive change.
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1 month ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Kristyna O'Connell |Theo Reilly |Heather Nicholls
Correspondent Kristyna O’Connell speaks to CEO of the Meetings Industry Association, Shonali Devereaux on her new role, International Confex and challenges facing women in the industry. Shonali Devereaux – presenter, event host, interviewer, FF15 mentor, lecturer, and now MIA’s chief executive. Like many, Devereaux fell into events and has never looked back, immersing herself in the industry, giving back as much as it has given her, if not more.
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1 month ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Adrian Pragnell |Theo Reilly |Heather Nicholls
Mash Media has announced a new partnership with Message Matrix to introduce the AI-powered WhatsApp Concierge to their upcoming International Confex Event 2025 show. This collaboration aims to improve attendee engagement and streamline event management with innovative technology. Message Matrix’s AI Concierge provides real-time, personalised support to attendees, offering accurate information on event schedules, exhibitors, and more via WhatsApp or SMS.
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1 month ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Theo Reilly |Heather Nicholls
Confidence in the UK business meetings and events sector remains high, with 61% of businesses forecasting higher revenue in 2025, according to the latest Meetings Industry Association (MIA) Insights report. Surveying 140 venues, suppliers, agents and destinations, the report shows that, on average, 41% of forecasted revenue for 2025 is already confirmed. While this marks a 10% drop from last year, the industry is optimistic that a steady flow of enquiries will support overall growth.
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2 months ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Theo Reilly |Heather Nicholls |Kristyna O'Connell
“The Super Bowl now takes on a magnitude that almost defies the imagination,” said Paul Tagliabue, former NFL commissioner. Every year, on the first Sunday of February, America braces itself for the biggest, most momentous and most expensive sporting event of the year – the Super Bowl. This huge event is rivalled by only a few other massive events in number of attendees – events like the World Cup, the Olympics and the Tour de France. It’s a huge challenge for security.
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2 months ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Adrian Pragnell |Heather Nicholls |Theo Reilly
According to research from Access’s latest Hospitality Tech Trend Guide 2025, more than 53% of hospitality businesses are already utilising AI technology, surpassing the overall adoption rate across all business sectors. AI solutions include chatbots and automated emails, voice assistants and speech recognition, gesture-based technology like touchscreens and physical devices such as robotics.
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2 months ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Heather Nicholls |Theo Reilly
To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, the Event Photography Awards organised a special ‘best ever’ contest which saw the ten past EPA overall winner images qualify for the final alongside the winners of fifteen ‘best ever’ categories. The event was judged through an online system that attracted votes from 4,000 event industry professionals from over 40 countries across the globe. The competition culminated in an event in the City of London’s renovated Skinners Hall, now rebranded as 8½ London.
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2 months ago | 
conference-news.co.uk | Heather Nicholls |Theo Reilly
Conference News has announced its full list of finalists for the CN Agency Awards 2025 (CNAAs). Now in its seventh year, the CNAAs are an annual celebration that aims to recognise and celebrating excellence, innovation and outstanding achievements from full-service event agencies operating in the UK and beyond. This year’s awards ceremony is taking place at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Friday 21 March. Finalist and supplier tickets can be purchased here.
