What’s New This October?

Welcome to the October round-up at BestCities Global Alliance, where we spotlight the latest developments, events, and milestones from across our global network. This month’s edition offers exciting news from the association world, key updates from our Head Office, and dynamic highlights from our partner cities around the globe.

Promotional graphic for BestCities Global Alliance's October Round-Up with updates. Includes a cityscape image featuring a historic bridge and buildings. Website link: BESTCITIES.NET.

Association Focus: Important News and Events

Whitepaper Spotlight: Rethinking Membership Models with Belinda Moore

Belinda Moore’s latest whitepaper explores flexible, purpose-driven membership models focused on community, inclusivity, and sustainability. It includes real-world examples and practical tools to help associations evolve their engagement strategies and future-proof their organizations.

Read more here.

Abstract gears and colorful waves illustrate the cover of "Evolving Association Membership Models" whitepaper by Belinda Moore.

Incredible Impacts: A Year of Progress with IPVS

Last year, the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) earned the 2023 Incredible Impact Programme (IIP) seed grant for its efforts to eliminate HPV-related cancers. One year on, IPVS has made significant strides in raising awareness and increasing vaccination uptake across Scotland.

Read the full article here.

A poster promoting HPV prevention with the message "How We Can Beat HPV: Vaccinate & Screen." It includes hashtags #onelessworry and a website askabouthpv.org.

Head Office Highlights: What’s Happening at BestCities Global Alliance

Kicking Off October at Convening EMEA in Barcelona

We’re starting the month in vibrant Barcelona, where Tia Daniels will lead a hosted-buyer group at PCMA Convening EMEA. In addition, we’re excited to host the BestCities Breakfast on 2 October, where attendees can catch up on the latest BestCities initiatives and network with global event professionals.

A crowd of people gathered on an outdoor patio during sunset, with pink-lit plants and tall buildings in the background.

From Barcelona to Las Vegas: BestCities at IMEX America’s Smart Monday

Following our exciting start in Barcelona, we head to Las Vegas, where Loren Christie will moderate a session during Smart Monday at IMEX America 2024. The in-depth session will explore the latest environmental, economic, political, legal, social, and technological trends shaping the future of global meetings.

Industry leaders from our partner cities, including Michael Drake (Vancouver), Katja Sukale (Berlin), Adriaan Fourie (Cape Town), and Edward Koh (Singapore), will join Loren and offer insights from across EMEA, the Americas, and APAC.

For more details, visit this page.

Promotional image for IMEX Las Vegas 2024, featuring a male speaker with the text "IMEX Speaker 2024" and "Together we make an impact." Event dates are October 8-10, 2024.

Next Stop: Celebrating Sustainability at the GDS Awards

BestCities Global Alliance partner destinations Copenhagen and Vancouver are spotlighted at this year’s GDS Awards. Copenhagen is a finalist in three categories—Leadership Award, Impact Award, and Innovation Award—while Vancouver is nominated for the Innovation Award.

Loren will attend the GDS Forum in Bruges, Belgium, supporting our cities as they continue to lead the way in sustainability initiatives within the global events industry.

Click here to read the GDS Awards rress release.

Banner for the 2024 Global Destination Sustainability Award finalists, featuring images of Copenhagen, Oslo, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria.

On to Abu Dhabi for ICCA Congress and Incredible Impacts Awards

The momentum continues in October as Loren, Tia, and Nigel head to Abu Dhabi for the annual ICCA Congress. BestCities Global Alliance will host four engaging Campfire Sessions, creating space for meaningful dialogue and shared insights.

Click here for more details about this year’s Campfire Sessions.

Promotional image for the ICCA Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 20-23 October 2024 with a "Register Now" button. The slogan is "Innovating for Tomorrow".

Fine-tuning the Global Forum Dublin 2025 Program

Between these key events, we’ll also finalize the details of the BestCities Global Forum program, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging experience for all attendees.

Stay tuned for updates!

Banner for the BestCities Global Forum in Dublin, scheduled from January 24-26, 2025, featuring a cityscape with a lit-up bridge and modern buildings at dusk.

City Buzz: What’s Happening in BestCities Destinations

Tokyo

IEEE R10 SYWL Congress, 29 August – 1 September

Tokyo hosted the IEEE R10 SYWL Congress 2024 at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center, drawing over 330 participants from Japan and abroad. This biannual event promotes leadership among students, young professionals, women in engineering, and lifetime members across the Asia Pacific region. The congress featured networking opportunities, satellite workshops, and a poster session, all while reducing waste and using sustainable materials.

Meet the Business Events Tokyo Team at IMEX America, 8-10 October

The Business Events Tokyo team will be at IMEX America in Las Vegas. Visit booth #F905 to meet the team and 11 Tokyo suppliers who are ready to share how the city’s blend of tradition, ultramodern facilities, and unique hospitality can make any event extraordinary.

Four people stand in an office holding Tokyo tourism signs and Japanese mascot figurines. A signboard behind them reads "TCVB" and "Business Events Tokyo.

Melbourne

World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2026

In 2026, Melbourne will welcome the prestigious World Sustainable Built Environment Conference, focusing on global innovations in sustainable development for the built environment.

Click here for the full media release.

Australia Next Returns in 2025

December 2025 will see the return of Australia Next, Tourism Australia’s premier incentive showcase, bringing top corporate and incentive buyers to explore Melbourne’s diverse offerings.

Three people stand together smiling in a garden-themed setting. The background features plants and a dark curtain.

Oceania’s Best MICE Destination 2024

Melbourne was recently crowned ‘Oceania’s Best MICE Destination 2024’ at the World MICE Awards, reflecting its world-class infrastructure and cultural vibrancy.

CEO Julia Swanson (GAICD) expressed her pride: “This award underscores Melbourne’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the business events sector. Business delegates consistently choose our city for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions due to its world-class infrastructure, vibrant cultural scene, and accessibility.”

For more details on Melbourne’s MICE offerings, click here.

International Conference on Ocean Energy

Melbourne recently hosted a groundbreaking event on ocean energy, bringing together ocean energy leaders, decision-makers, and researchers who are advancing innovative concepts and materials to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of ocean energy systems.

A woman stands at a podium speaking at the 2024 International Conference on Ocean Energy, with multiple screens displaying the event's title and sponsors in the background.

Countdown to the 14th World Chambers Congress 2025

Preparations are underway for the 14th World Chambers Congress, set to take place in Melbourne in 2025. The event will bring together representatives from over 100 countries to strengthen collaboration between businesses, chambers, and governments.

Copenhagen

2025 ESCRS Annual Congress, September 2025

This congress, known for its strong focus on sustainability and innovation, will welcome up to 15,000 participants to Copenhagen’s Bella Center. The event returns to Copenhagen nine years after it last hosted the leading global gathering for cataract and refractive surgery professionals.

Click here to read the media release.

Photo by Wonderful Copenhagen

Berlin

World Health Summit, 13-15 October 2024

This globally recognized strategic forum on public health will bring together stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to discuss key health issues in Berlin.

Click here to learn more.

IMEX America, 8-10 October 2024

The visitBerlin Convention Office will attend IMEX America in Las Vegas, offering updates on Berlin’s latest hotels, event locations, and special offerings.

Click to book appointments.

35th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, 9 November 2024

Berlin commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Wall’s fall with open-air events, exhibitions, guided tours, and interactive activities celebrating this momentous historical event.

Click here to read more.

Dublin

International Gynaecologic Cancer Society Meeting, 16-18 October 2024

This event will welcome over 2,000 delegates to The Convention Centre Dublin, focusing on the latest advancements in gynaecologic cancer research and treatment.

More info can be found here.

SaaStock, 14-16 October 2024

SaaStock returns to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), attracting 4,500 delegates from the global SaaS community for three days of networking, learning, and innovation.

More information can be found here.