PENANG – Be ready for the future: That is the overarching message for this year’s BE @ Penang, Malaysia’s biggest business events conference that brings together industry leaders from around the world for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

AUCKLAND – The damage done to New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) following a massive fire is so great that the venue will not be repaired in time for 2021.

ADELAIDE – A US$1 million refurbishment of the top floor function and events space at the Pullman Adelaide Hotel has been given the go ahead, with works set to commence in December this year.

NEW YORK –  Serviced apartment company Oakwood has announced it will manage two properties within the 2022 Winter Olympics Zhangjiakou Zone in Beijing.

ADELAIDE – The South Australian city of Adelaide has been named the host city for the 2023 World Potato Congress (WPC), two years after embarking on a courtship to bring the global biennial business event to Australia.

NEW YORK – As travel industry professionals, we have all been here before: Standing in the buffet line at a conference, you catch the eye of a friendly stranger. They glance at your name badge and prompt you with a question you’ve already answered half a dozen times that day: “So, where are you based?” You smile politely while gripping your plate and repeat, “New Jersey, how about you?”

NEW YORK – Meeting professionals have a lot on their plates. Managing budgets, along with constant travel and tight deadlines, were key factors in CareerCast naming event coordinator the sixth most stressful career in 2019.

HONG KONG – Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced on Nov 5 that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with  Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) to develop a new Andaz property in Macau, China.

BANGKOK – The much-anticipated True Icon Hall has been officially launched in Bangkok on Nov 4, with its grand opening set for four days later.

BARCELONA – IBTM World will be celebrating a record-breaking year in Barcelona, after its pre-arranged meeting numbers are up 6% on last year’s total at this stage.

AUCKLAND – New Zealand will welcome thousands of international avocado experts in 2023 after winning the bid to host the 10th World Avocado Congress (WAC).

TOKYO – All Nippon Airways Holdings (ANA) has announced it will begin reducing the amount of single-use plastics inside its cabins and lounges, replacing them with more eco-friendly alternatives.

NEW YORK – They may come for the networking and education, but conference and trade show attendees do enjoy walking away with free goodies. From clothing and key chains to branded mugs, the armloads of gifts from trade show sponsors and exhibitors nicely complement the stack of business cards and inspirational ideas participants carry back home.

The incentive travel industry is growing. According to the Incentive Travel Industry Index from the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, the Incentive Research Foundation, and Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals, 43% of organisations said their incentive travel budgets increased in 2019, with 53% expecting them to grow in 2020.