Union of International Associations

Union des Associations Internationales

As travel budgets are squeezed and slashed in the recession, companies are increasingly seeking innovative ways of bringing employees together for conferences and meetings remotely.

Virtual community Second Life is seeking to tap into that market by creating a new tool that allows businesses to have virtual meetings on their own computer networks.

Described by some as a necessary evil, “subvention” – subsidies given by convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) to attract large conferences – has become more generous as destinations battle it out to win new association meetings.

http://www.ttgasia.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14733

A brand new trade show for the US meetings industry was announced in Las Vegas today (October 28th, 2009) by Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group.

The new show will take place at the Sands Expo Convention Center at the Venetian/Palazzo from 11 – 13 October 2011.

http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/imexamerica.html

15 Sept 2009

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced a revised global financial forecast predicting airline losses totaling US$11 billion in 2009. This is US$2 billion worse than the previously projected US$9 billion loss due to rising fuel prices and exceptionally weak yields. Industry revenues for the year are expected to fall by US$80 billion (15%) to US$455 billion compared with 2008 levels.

How Skype Is Changing the Job Interview

(and further cutting airline travel)

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1930838,00.html

Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced today (1 October 2009) its commitment to the American meetings and incentive market by confirming that  the inaugural Americas Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) will now take place in Baltimore, Maryland from June 21- June 23, 2011.