Berlin: Successful first half of 2015 for convention and meetings business

Berlin, 10 September 2015 Berlin's role as a leading location for conventions and meetings continues to grow: In the first six months of 2015, 62,000 events took place in the German capital (+1.5% compared to the previous year) with 4.82 million participants (also +1.5%). The number of overnight stays related to these meetings increased by 3 per cent to 3.3 million. These figures come from the latest conference statistics for the first half of 2015* from the Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin. Berlin continues to consolidate its position as Germany's first place to be for conventions.

Market Trends 2016
The European Bargain
Meetings in Europe are actually expected to be cheaper in 2016—hotel rates are projected to increase by only 0.7 percent, helping the cost per attendee per day to shrink by 0.4 percent. Those stats look even better for U.S. meeting planners considering the U.S. dollar’s strength against the euro, also expected to continue through 2016. Despite the favorable pricing, CWT sees strict attrition and cancellation being enforced in Europe as well (with the exceptions of Russia and Spain, the report notes).

Introducing the MPI Academy

Learning is a lifelong process, especially when it comes to delivering exceptional meetings and events. With rapidly changing technology, evolving business standards and a renewed focus on strategy, professional development is more important than ever. MPI is there to help. Through certificate programs, streaming education sessions and monthly webinars, you’ll find what you need to grow your knowledge base and advance your career.

Meetings and Conventions 2030: A Study initiated by the German Convention Bureau

A Study about Megatrends and Their Relevance for the Industry supported by MCI

Congratulations to the First Event Model Generation Graduates

The general gist of it is that you use an Event Model Canvas template to visually chart key meeting elements in 10 steps. “The canvas articulates how the behaviour changes as a result of having participated in the event as well as stating the required levels of satisfaction against expectations. Additionally the canvas outlines the costs and expected revenues in relation to the customer journey (service design) and the instructional design of the event.” .

The Mindful Way

Mindfulness Day is an emerging annual event, which will be celebrated this coming Sunday, September 12, 2015 to raise awareness of the many benefits of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a positive mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment.  As well as a successful therapeutic technique for overcoming anxiety and depression, today mindfulness is also being used as core leadership development technique in business.

ISO 20121 finally emerged

ISO 20121:2012, Event sustainability management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, is suitable for ensuring that events, ranging from local celebrations to "mega events" such as the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, leave behind a positive legacy. The standard is relevant to all members of the event industry supply chain including organizers, event managers, stand builders, caterers and logistics suppliers.

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http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref1598

Apple Patent Hints at Google Glass Competitor

Is Apple planning a Google Glass competitor?

If a recently granted patent is any guide, Apple is at least exploring the possibility of creating an “enhanced viewing experience” for the user. Apple filed for the patent in 2006, but on Tuesday the U.S. Patent Office granted the company a patent for “peripheral treatment of head-mounted displays.

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http://mashable.com/2012/07/05/apple-patent-google-glass/

Padraicino on " How coool is Berlin?!" Nothing to add!

Berlin: coolest city on the planet? At Site EMEA Forum 2012

Site EMEA Forum 2012

The last 4 weeks or so have had me all over Berlin – Potsdamer Platz, Unter den Linden, Pariser Platz – but it hasn’t been as exhausting as may seem: Berlin was the key setting for two recent novels that I read – William Boyd’s The New Confessions and Esi Edugyan’sHalf Blood Blues. So today when I find myself ambling down Zimmerstrasse there’s a sense of recognition and familiarity about the experience. A sense of homecoming. A feeling of belonging. The fact that I’m attending the Site EMEA Forum, collocated in Berlin with MEXCON, adds to the connectivity.

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http://padraicino.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/berlin-coolest-city-on-the-planet-at-site-emea-forum-2012/

Meeting Destination Germany

By Megan Rowe

Like many things in Germany, business travel works like a well-oiled machine. A key reason German destinations have stayed at the top of their game, besides the relatively healthy German economy, is their habit of constantly updating and reinventing themselves. The new and the old have a way of coexisting naturally.

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