Let’s take a peek at some of the most anticipated events happening this October and in the coming months.
Fresh perspectives at Global Forum 2022
Registration has opened for BestCities Global Forum, an annual gathering of industry thought-leaders, international associations and destinations that are members of BestCities Global Alliance. Taking place December 8 – 11 in Vancouver, Canada, this year’s event is inspired by “fresh perspectives” with a focus on peer-to-peer education, exploring how events can positively impact their host communities, and gaining valuable insights in an inspiring destination whose natural attributes are nothing short of spectacular.
During Global Forum 2022, Capilano University’s School of Tourism Research and Destination Vancouver will share groundbreaking research resulting from a comprehensive Legacy Impact Study. This partnership between industry and academia will create a framework of best practices guiding associations towards ideating and executing sustainable, purpose-driven events that exceed the standard expected by delegates today.
Click here to read the latest news about the BestCities Global Forum, and make sure to follow BestCities on LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest updates.
Ready to register? Click here.
IMEX America
With the excitement slowly building up over the past couple of months, the time has finally come. IMEX America is happening in Las Vegas on October 11 to 13, and our Director for Business Development & Community Engagement, Tia Daniels, is excited to fly out and take part in this event.
One of the highlights of the 3-day event is the breakfast session that BestCities is hosting for its hosted buyers and other International Event Planners on the 12th. We’ve invited Florent Thévenin to talk about his expertise as Founder and CEO of Digital Networking for Thought Leaders. His talk is entitled “Grow Your Association’s Reach & Influence in 3 Simple Steps”, something that can add so much value to the entire experience for the attendees.
Click here to register for the breakfast session at IMEX.
PCMA Convening EMEA
PCMA held the successful Convening EMEA 2022 from September 28 to 30 in beautiful Vienna. Our Managing Director Lesley Williams shared about the impact activities by BestCities and our partner cities while facilitating a session with guest speakers Claire Smith, VP for Sales & Marketing for the Vancouver Convention Centre and Jerilee Pinto, Association Sales Manager for Europe for Dubai Business Events.
With the tagline “Together We Move Forward”, the event highlighted three main programme themes – Future, Engagement and Planning.
ICCA Congress in Krakow
BestCities will participate in the upcoming ICCA Congress 2022 to be held in Krakow from November 6 to 9. The Krakow Convention Bureau has been preparing non-stop for this event and is looking forward to welcoming hundreds of delegates and associations to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
The annual ICCA Congress continues to be one of the most anticipated events in the MICE industry, considering the opportunities it delivers in terms of connecting with potential partners and booking new businesses for the future.
During the congress, we will honour this year's Incredible Impact Award winners and organise several interesting sessions at the dedicated Incredible Impact area. Make sure to follow BestCities on LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest updates.
Conferli Survey
Think about it; successful events do not happen by accident. Besides advance planning, they are the result of selecting the right destination. Often, the destination can make or break the event, affecting the association’s income and membership engagement. With the growing competition for sponsors and members, an association needs to be strategic about selecting a destination.
In their survey, Conferli would love to find out what the critical success factors of a destination are. What makes a destination the perfect destination for your conference? At BestCities, we support this initiative, so please take a moment to complete the survey here.
Updates from Our Partner Cities
Here are some updates about our partner cities as well as a rundown of events to look forward to:
Vancouver
The International Downtown Association (IDA) and Downtown Van presented the 68th Annual Conference and Marketplace in Vancouver from September 21 – 23, 2022. Over the course of three days, more than 1,000 downtown experts from around the world came together to learn about Vancouver’s public spaces, transportation, public safety, events, and activations.
This was IDA’s first restriction-free conference since 2019, focusing on “Reinventing: The Communities of Tomorrow”- re-examining what it means to be a vibrant and inclusive community in this post-pandemic world.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s Canyon Frights will run from Friday, October 14 - Monday, October 31, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The Park will be decorated with pumpkins and spooky displays, offering perfect Instagram moments galore! Kids of all ages can join in Halloween-themed games and a scavenger hunt to win prizes. The owls of Raptors Ridge return to the park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Canada’s only Gourmet Cabaret Sensation is coming to Vancouver this October and running until March 4, 2023. Cabaret Bijou, billed as “a feast for the senses”, is a combination of Cabaret, Moulin Rouge, Circus, Comedy, a four-course dinner and drinks delivered with exceptional service. The unique fantasy-like performance is presented in a magical mirror palace transported from Belgium with hand-crafted woodwork, voluptuous red velvet and over 2000 beveled mirrors encircling the inside.
Tokyo
Tokyo has various fascinating, unique venues that organizers can choose from.
Commemorating the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games held a year ago, the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field, which was a venue for archery qualifying grounds, welcomed Shinya Kozuka's fashion brand, "SHINYAKOZUKA" runway show "ISSUE #2" for the Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Various hues and tones of green were used extensively throughout, giving it a natural feel.
This sports venue's well-maintained open space was perfect for the show, where even barefoot models could make an appearance safely. About 130 invited buyers and media representatives watched Kozuka's fantastic creations with great excitement in this spacious venue full of greenery. For more information, please visit here.
TOKYO Virtual Site Visit which introduces Tokyo's most fascinating business events facilities is now available for open viewing to help organizers select the ideal venue for their next unforgettable event in Tokyo.
October events in Tokyo:
20 - 22 October 2022
31 October - 02 November 2022
Singapore
Formula One is finally back in Singapore after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix started on September 30 and will run through October 2, with over 25 events happening within this period.
The 2019 race brought in a total of 268,000 spectators, a number that organizers are expecting to match or even exceed this time around. In the MICE industry alone, around 90,000 delegates are expected. That’s why the Singapore Tourism Board is also using this opportunity further to promote the city as a meeting and events venue.
Another event that will return to Singapore is Gastech 2023, the biggest conference for the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry, which happened from September 11 to 14. Set to happen in September next year, the last time this event happened in Singapore was in 2015. Gastech 2023 is expected to bring in over 40,000 attendees plus 750 exhibitors coming from over 100 countries.
It’s not surprising that Singapore is once again in the spotlight as a prime venue for meetings, conventions and other events after clinching the most coveted Best MICE Destination (Asia) award at the Meetings & Conventions Asia Stella Awards 2022. Chin Siang Yap, Singapore Tourism Board’s Deputy Chief Executive, received the award.
If that award isn’t enough, the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) should convince even more organizers to hold their events in the Garden City. The SMAP gives business event partners a myriad of benefits, like:
- Exclusive privileges and priority support from the air to the ground for delegates
- Complementary Sentosa Fun Pass™ Tokens
- Sustainability-focused benefits to help organizers reduce their events’ carbon footprint
COVID-19 safety measures in Singapore have also been relaxed further. Since August 29, masks are no longer required indoors except in public transport and in healthcare settings. Flights and ferries going into Singapore may not require masks depending on where you’re coming from.
Non-fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to go through the 7-day Stay-Home Notice upon arrival effective August 28. An exit-SHN PCR test is no longer required, either. They are still required to purchase travel insurance and will also need a negative test result 2 days before leaving Singapore.
Melbourne
Melbourne continues to play the role of coffee capital of the world by hosting the 2022 World Barista Championships and World Brewers Cup. This annual event is known as ‘the Olympics of Coffee’ and is organized by World Coffee Events (WCE).
Of course, Melbourne takes their coffee seriously, which is why they’ve also sent the best of the best to represent their own city in the competition. Anthony Douglas is the reigning Barista Australian Champion and has always wowed judges and audiences with his craft.
The competition was held as part of the Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2022, which ran from September 27 to 30. It’s the perfect way to usher in International Coffee Day, which is celebrated on October 1.
Aside from a caffeine-packed end to September, it was also an action-packed month for Melbourne as they concluded 12 international and national business events all in all. Bringing in a total of $43.5 million, the MICE industry has truly made the comeback they’ve been preparing for after the pandemic.
Some of the events that brought in over 9,400 delegates into the city include the 2022 National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) Conference, prime healthcare event CODA 2022, the World Halal Business Conference 2022, and the 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress 2022, among many others.
Madrid
Spain welcomed the first ever Four Seasons hotel in the vibrant city of Madrid back in 2020, but the global pandemic put a stop to a lot of visitors’ plans. Now, with the world reopened and the travel industry finally getting back on its feet, the spotlight can finally be placed back at the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid’s doors.
The hotel stands at the forefront of the Centro Canalejas project, which aims to transform historic buildings all over the city and give them new life while preserving their heritage. One step into the hotel’s grand lobby immediately captures every visitor’s attention, with the stained glass ceiling carefully restored piece by piece.
With 7 stories in total, the hotel’s walls are adorned by important artworks. The hotel also has 200 rooms and suites in total, with great views of the Madrid skyline.
Houston
Houston has once again garnered global attention as one of the best places to live, work, invest, and visit, according to the 2022 list of America’s Best Cities. Earning the No. 11 spot among 100 cities named, the country’s fourth largest city made notable gains from its previous ranking, in addition to receiving a new moniker as “America’s stealthy powerhouse on the rise.”
The passenger experience for millions of travelers will soon be elevated at the new international terminal, currently under construction, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH. Houston Airports is enhancing its world-class experience by offering a new selection of diverse culinary and retail options. The 26 approved concessions include Bond Bakery, a LEGO store and iconic Houston landmarks like The Annie Café & Bar among others.
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest and 5-Star airline announced its flight schedule for select US routes, including Houston, from October 30, 2022 to March 25, 2023. For the first time in two and a half years, ANA will once again offer direct service with seven flights per week between Houston IAH and both Haneda and Narita airports in Japan.
Blossom Hotel Houston has appointed Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon to lead the property’s culinary programming, including upcoming Chef Boon’s Duck House by Boon, a new Japanese dining destination, Blossom Dessert Bar, Sky High cocktail bar, and Blossom Club Chef’s Table experience. Blossom Hotel Houston is located near NRG Stadium, Houston Museum District and the Texas Medical Center.
It’s the annual #HispanicHeritageMonth and Houston has once again come alive with exciting events in commemoration of Mexico’s and other Central and South American countries’ independence from Spain. A celebration that started on September 15, the festivities will continue all the way until October 15.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara also celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, with the festivities starting on September 4 and running through October 15. Aside from different events around the city, local media outlet YurView also features a series of programs focusing on Hispanic traditions and history.
October also ushers in the Fiestas de Octubre, a month-long celebration held annually in Guadalajara highlighting local arts, entertainment and food.
Truly a colorful region the whole year round, Guadalajara continues to grab the attention of the whole world. Freelance journalist Alex Temblador has featured Guadalajara as one of the top 5 places in the world where one can fully explore and celebrate their Hispanic heritage. His feature was published in Hispanic Living by USA Today, and mentions landmarks to visit like the Guadalajara Cathedral and the Museo Cabañas.
Dublin
Dublin Convention Bureau won Best Overseas Convention Bureau Gold Award at the recent M&IT Magazine Awards for the second year in a row. Our teammates Meet in Ireland also scooped up the bronze award. The DCB was delighted to share the stage with their friends of the Convention Centre Dublin, who won Gold for Best Overseas Convention Centre.
Dublin will be centre stage for the annual Dublin Theatre Festival, from 29th September – 16th October, bringing together artists, theatre-makers and audiences from Ireland and around the world.
The Bram Stoker Festival, from 28th – 31st October, celebrates the legacy of one of Ireland’s most beloved and iconic writers. Now entering its tenth year, the festival draws inspiration from Stoker, his life, his work, and Dublin of his time and celebrates the Gothic, the supernatural, the after-dark and the Victorian.
Dubai
Dubai welcomes the tech community this October as Gitex Global holds one of the biggest tech and startup events in the world from October 10 to 14. Over 100,000 attendees are expected to attend, with over 5,000 exhibitors and 1,000 speakers from 170 countries.
It’s the best place to find out what’s the latest in AI, crypto, 6Gm, quantum computing and more. Some of the world’s biggest tech brands and greatest tech minds are also expected to be there, making it a must-attend event for those who want to expand their network and unlock new opportunities.
Meanwhile, Dubai Expo 2020’s legacy continues as Expo City Dubai welcomes guests even before the official opening slated for October 1. Alif, The Mobility Pavilion and Terra, The Sustainability Pavilion, were reopened on September 1 to show visitors the opportunities that await them. These were two of the most popular pavilions during Dubai Expo 2020.
Expo City Dubai is also home to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), an event space spanning 45,000 sqm of prime property.
Copenhagen
The Copenhagen Convention Bureau is excited to announce that next year’s PCMA Convening EMEA event will be held in Copenhagen.
Convening EMEA is an omnichannel event created for international business event professionals and creatives to share learnings and collaborate to build a stronger future for the global business events community.
The team has just returned from this year’s conference, which was held in Vienna and attracted a record 460 participants from 41 countries. At the close of the event, Copenhagen was announced as next year’s host city.
In other news: For the first time, a UIA World Congress of Architects will be held in a Nordic country, and Copenhagen is honoured to host the Congress in 2023. Copenhagen ranks as one of the most liveable and loveable cities in the world and is aiming to keep this title. As a host city, Copenhagen provides a unique combination of culture, tolerance, global connectivity, well-functioning public transport, green spaces and high-quality architecture.
And, did you know that the hotel capacity in central Copenhagen has expanded by more than 80% in the last 10 years, and the entire Capital Region of Denmark now has around 32,000 rooms?
Copenhagen is home to a wide array of international hotel chains such as 25hours Hotels, citizenM hotels, Marriott International, Moxy Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group as well as some amazing family-owned Danish chains and hotels. Together, they meet every imaginable demand, budget, and taste.
Climate change challenges and solutions were in focus at the World Water Congress & Exhibition that was held in Copenhagen last month.
More than 8,000 international water professionals and many others were in Copenhagen to discuss climate challenges and how pioneering science, technological innovation, and leading practices can help solve these challenges.
As recent events have shown, climate change amplifies water-related challenges. Copenhagen is home to a wide array of smart integrated water solutions and climate-resilient neighbourhoods. Its harbour is so clean that you can swim in it, and efficient wastewater management provides clean groundwater for locals to drink.
Cape Town
The Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau are gearing up for more opportunities to promote their region as a venue. After all, as the number one convention city in Africa, the diversity and the interesting culture makes it the perfect place to explore for event delegates, organizers, and other professionals within the MICE industry.
That’s why the bureau is also looking forward to IMEX America in Las Vegas where they’ll showcase everything that Cape Town offers. Delegates can visit them at booth E1324 at the South African Pavilion to find out more about holding an event in their beautiful city.
Cape Town will be hosting the 36th International Conference on Lightning Protection at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 02- 07 October 2022. This conference has become the largest biennial conference that forms a global platform where the academic and industry giants of lightning protection come together and exchange scientific and technological knowledge through presentations, discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. This will be the first time this conference will be taking place on the African continent.
Berlin
Health care industry is a significant cluster in the German capital region of Berlin-Brandenburg and engine for growth and employment as well as the guarantor of healthcare at the highest level.
For this reason, Berlin is proud to announce that the German Heart Center Berlin (DHZT) is one of the ten best cardiac surgery hospitals in the world, according to a ranking published by the U.S. magazine Newsweek. On the top list of 150 hospitals honored worldwide, the DHZB ranks sixth, up from ninth place last year. In Europe, DHZT ranks even in first place.
In addition, the annual World Health Summit in Berlin is set to happen October 16 to 18 at Hotel Berlin Central District as well as digital. As the unique international strategic forum for global health, it brings together stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector and civil society from around the world. Goal is to set the agenda for a healthier future by inspiring innovative solutions for better health and well-being for all.
Looking back, the metropolitan conference Q Berlin has successfully taken place. Mayors of international metropolises and other top speakers from politics, business and science, discussed pressing contemporary issues such as the impact of the war in Ukraine, the future of democracy and the management of global crises. Q Berlin was also the starting signal for the revival of the disused International Congress Center (ICC), which was once the largest congress center in Europe and a symbol of urban, futuristic Berlin. In 2023, a competition for revitalization is planned from the Senate Department.
Furthermore, InnoTrans 2022 was held for the 13th time at the Berlin Trade Fair Center September 20 - 23. It is the leading international trade fair for transport technology, which takes place every two years in Berlin. Divided into the five trade fair segments Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction, InnoTrans occupies all 42 halls of the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
A unique feature is the InnoTrans track and open-air exhibition area with 3,500 running meters of track, featuring everything from tank cars to high-speed trains. Trade visitors from 149 countries and all segments of the industry attended the trade show in Berlin.