Brussels celebrated its Presidency of the Council of the European Union by convening EU Dialogue: Driving Positive Change In the Meetings Industry. This was a City Destinations Alliance / European Exhibitions Industry Alliance (EEIA) / Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) co-hosted advocacy event designed to mirror the same message within policy circles of the European Parliament in advance of EU elections in June with Kai Hattendorf, CEO at UFI – the global association of international exhibition organisers – neatly summarising that “we’re here to press the flesh and press the point – that we build & operate the meeting places and the marketplaces for everyone and that is such a key to Europe’s success”.
Goodwin’s lobbying counterpart in Brussels, Barbara Weizsäcker (Secretary-General of the EEIA), provided the introductions to MEPs in attendance.
Following the EU Dialogue, the architects of the conference have unveiled The Meetings Industry Manifesto: Priorities for the next EU leadership.
James Lancaster, Editorial Director at AMI, praises the manifesto as “one of the most lucid – and mercifully succinct – advocacy documents I have read in 14 years as a journalist working in this field.” Read more here: Manifesto provides clarity on value of meetings
The Iceberg was on hand to capture both events featuring spokespeople from participating industry leaders including industry associations and the collective voices of JMIC headquartered in Brussels, and the Events Industry Council (EIC) based in DC.
Cautious optimism remains for the potential of continued transatlantic collaboration and The Iceberg will, as always, keep the industry posted on next steps. Meanwhile, look out for the report from the IMEX Policy Forum in the next edition of Business Events World as the industry continues its advocacy efforts.
Special thanks to Iceberg Ambassadors Melissa Riley of Destination DC, and Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, CMP of visit.brussels for hosting The Iceberg.
Source: THE ICEBERG