ICCA REINVENTS ANNUAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS STATISTICS REPORT The international association meetings industry has changed how it does business over the past year and as a result, the Research Department of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has now reinvented how it assesses and presents the 2020 ICCA Statistics Report on the association meetings market. This latest report reflects the changing needs of the industry. It provides a more accurate representation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association meetings globally. In addition, it acts as an enhanced tool for guiding the industry out of the health crisis and into new stronger future. The 2020 ICCA Statistics Report consists of meetings that were intended to take place in 2020 and indicates what became of the meetings. The report includes analysis on the economic impact of meetings in 2020 compared to 2019, revenue loss, and several additional key parameters. New categories have been added to represent the full spectrum of solutions that event planners implemented in 2020; such as virtual and hybrid meetings, postponement, cancellation, and relocation. Key findings include: • While 44% of meetings were postponed in 2020, the vast majority of those meetings remained loyal to the original destination. • Virtual and hybrid meetings have helped associations attract bigger audiences in 2020, compared to face-to-face meetings in previous years. • Analysis of the economic impact of COVID-19 (total expenditure 2019 vs. 2020) indicates the industry’s strong desire to return to face-to-face meetings. However, in the future, meetings are likely to include elements and best practices from virtual and hybrid events.
KOBE WATERFRONT TO GET NEW ARENA Kobe city will construct a new 10,000 capacity arena as part of a larger revitalisation plan for the Kobe waterfront area. Due for completion at the end of 2024, the arena will be predominantly used for professional sporting events, concerts and international conferences. It will be one of the largest in the Kansai region, which includes Osaka and Kyoto. The arena will also include several indoor and outdoor dining facilities, an event space (max 3,000 capacity) and a park and recreation area. Other plans for the revitalisation of the waterfront include a theatrical aquarium, chocolate museum and a classic car museum, scheduled to open autumn 2021. The iconic Kobe Port Tower will be renovated in 2023 with new viewing platforms and dining facilities. A cable car will also feature by 2025 and will connect the popular shopping and dining district of Harborland with the waterfront area. The cable car will offer spectacular views of the harbour, city and surrounding mountains.
ANATO 2021 TOURIST SHOWCASE, SET TO RESTART TOURISM INDUSTRY IN COLOMBIA The ANATO Tourist Showcase will be held from 16-18 June in Bogotá, Colombia. More than 7,700 professionals from the sector per day have registered for the event that will be joined by 700 companies between exhibitors and co-exhibitors to give a sample of tourism products and services adapted to the new reality of the travel market. This will be the first big face-to-face tourism event in Colombia and Latin America in 2021, allowing for the sector to re-establish its relationships and commercial alliances. “The recovery of tourism should be a priority and therefore the Association has joined all its efforts to carry out this event. The paralysis in the travel industry has not only affected tourism but also other sectors that depend on it and therefore we must work to move it forward together” said Paula Cortés Calle, executive president of ANATO. And he added: “This year we will have a special version and the travel industry players have shown their interest and confidence to continue being part of our event. For this reason, we have prepared ourselves to provide a place that complies with all the necessary biosecurity measures so that both exhibitors and professional visitors can start or reactivate businesses.
