Oliver Thomas

In pictures – 2022 Destination Victoria Conference

The 2022 Destination Victoria Conference, 20-21 June, brought together the state of Victoria’s tourism, events, and hospitality industries at CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, Australia. The event’s almost 700 delegates were presented with information and practical tools from industry leaders with the aim to ensure strong, sustainable growth for the Victorian visitor economy.

Sydney powers ahead with lithium batteries international meeting

ICMS Australasia has been managing the 21st International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB 2022), 27 June-1 July, at the ICC Sydney, Australia with more than 1,000 people in attendance. Scientists and energy researchers are meeting their global counterparts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in how Li-ion technology can help mitigate climate change and build a fossil fuel-free economy. ...

Simpleview makes new appointments across the board

The software and marketing solutions provider for global destinations, Simpleview has announced an expansion of its management team. Patrick Eichen has been named as the chief operations officer (COO). Eichen is an industry veteran and software executive with a proven track record of scaling operations in high-growth technology companies. Most recently, Eichen served as head of customer experience...

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre sees strong demand returning

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia reports a significant increase in demand for in-person events, with 127 global meetings (51 conventions and 76 exhibitions) booked until the end of 2024. Alan Pryor, the general manager of KLCC, commented: “We definitely are seeing an improvement in Malaysia’s business events landscape after two years, which were heavily impacted by the pandemic....

BCD Meetings & Events appoints VP of global people and culture

Global agency BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has announced the appointment of Renee Templeton (pictured) as vice-president of global people and culture. Templeton will lead on the agency’s regional people and culture, formerly called Human Resources, as well as collaborating across BCD on sustainability, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Scott Graf, global president of BCD, said:...

CMW Sessions – Peter Gould

CMW international reporter, Oliver Thomas, sits down with Peter Gould, CEO of the RendezVerse, a metaverse service platform used by organisers when scouting event venues.

Clarion increases presence in insurtech market

UK-based event organiser company, Clarion Events has announced the acquisition of the Digital Insurance Agenda (DIA), a European event series serving the insurtech market. DIA, founded by digital insurance strategists, Roger Peverelli and Reggy de Feniks, is renowned for its insurtech festivals in Barcelona, Amsterdam and Munich, and content platforms including DIA TV. The addition of DIA aims to ...

Australian travel partners team up for leaders workshop

Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT) and Virgin Australia have partnered to deliver a workshop for 10 people across five businesses, where they gain mentoring from business leaders, fellow entrepreneurs, and travel experts. The winners were picked at random via a draw and came from Manteena, Aury Australia, Acid Plant Management Services, Lauxes Products, and QBD books, with the event taking place...

ASM Global hosts first electric vehicle industry conference at Huntington Place

International venue management company, ASM Global hosted the Electric Vehicle + Energy Infrastructure Innovation and Sustainability Exchange conference (EVX) at the US-based venue, Huntington Place, Detroit, 22 June. EVX serves the electric vehicle (EV) and energy infrastructure market. Globally, sales of electric cars have increased significantly in 2022, with 2m sold in Q1, up 75% from the same...

US Legislative Day brings travel industry representatives together in DC

Over 230 travel agency executives and industry advocates have come together for the American Society of Travel Advisors Legislative Day 2022 in Washington, DC, 21-22 June. Legislative Day is a member-only event that brings travel advisor industry leaders to Congress to discuss issues that impact their businesses, work life and their clients’ travel experience. Zane Kerby, president and CEO o...

Hong Kong industry association presses government to ease restrictions

At the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association’s (HKECIA)  annual conference, 1 June, Stuart Bailey, chairman of HKECIA, continued to push the government for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions Bailey commented: “There is a huge appetite for large-scale international events to resume but we need to have a plan, with reasonable certainty, that shows the international business com...

Gold Coast travel industry bounces back

According to the Australia-based travel management company FCM Consulting, the Gold Coast is forecast to exceed pre-Covid-19 levels of inward and outbound travel by the end of the year. Since domestic and international borders reopened, 21 February, visitors to the Australian city have significantly increased for both business and leisure. Felicity Burke, general manager of FCM Consulting, who pre...