WORLD - A collective of international conference venues and organisations have partnered on a strategic foresight study, Convention 2020.

The project will be run by Fast Future Research, and will examine trends and challenges that might influence the meetings industry. Founding sponsors include ICCA and IMEX.

"Convention 2020 marks a radical departure from the way in which the industry normally does research,” says Fast Future CEO, Rohit Talwar. “The aim is to take a challenging view at the forces, trends and ideas that will shape the industry over the next 10 years and to provide practical insights on how to prepare for the changes.”

So far contributing sponsors include the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Best Cities Global Alliance, Qatar National Convention Centre, Seoul Tourism Organisation, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre London, Visit London and international event organiser Kenes.

The study will look at economic fluctuations, environmental issues, social attitudes, technological changes, and political shifts. It will also provide partners with recommendations.

"I'm convinced that organisations which get proactively involved will be able to turn their engagement into powerful market positioning as thought-leaders and innovators,” says CEO of ICCA, Martin Sirk.