The Calgary Stampede’s Post

Good evening I'm pro development, not for just building big buildings or infrastructure, but for the fact that it is an indication of an economy who is investing and creating work opportunities, and to cater for tourism which is vital. It also stimulates other secondary and tertiary industries. Such a classical example is the news of the revitalisation of the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, which even if it is big, it does not currently generate attraction on a large scale, nor is it esthetic pleasing to the eye. It was developed in a time frame when the priority was not to attract people to a city CBD such as Perth's. https://lnkd.in/ggFV7w-M

IF YOU (OVERHAUL) IT, THEY WILL COME - “We want everyone to walk in this building and go, ‘Wow.’ No one is going to recognize it – inside and out.” Check out the article on the #Cincinnatibusinesscourier website: https://lnkd.in/gfuqcj8M #cincinnati #nky #dukeenergy #conventioncenter #overhaul #design #3CDC #economy #impact #visitcincy #tourism #conventions #events #hotel

Great move by the City of London Corporation When you look around the world, you see that many governments are looking to the international visitor sector as a central part of their economic future. Just as the City Corporation is doing. That appeared to be two drivers for this. In the Middle East, the GCC states are planning ahead for when their oil-based economies becomes relatively less valuable. They are moving towards replacing this with a focus on a high tech and international visitors. Look at the Dubai Mall, the increasing number of global sporting events (World Cup, tennis, golf, etc), satellite cultural institutions like the Louvre and the Hermitage and changes in Saudi policy, such as allowing women more freedom and introducing visitor visas. The other reason why it makes sense to focus on the international visitor sector is the growth of AI. If AI does as predicted, it will generate huge levels of additional global wealth coupled with a lot more free time. If you put those together, you get more wealthy international visitors. Britain is in a great position because we are one of the top 10 global destinations and London competes only with Paris for the top European city destination. Which is why it is disappointing that the government has reduced Britain's attractiveness to international visitors by ending tax-free shopping. All the evidence shows that while Britain is still attracting international visitors, they are not spending at the same level. They are choosing to visit and do their shopping anywhere else in Europe. AIR's evidence to the Treasury suggests that while spending on shopping by international visitors to France, Spain and Italy in 2022 grew to 198% of 2019 levels, in Britain it fell by 28% percent on 2019 levels British retailers alone lost £1.5billion spending to our continental neighbours. Even worse is that we gave up the opportunity for Britain to become the only European country where the 447 million EU residents could shop tax-free. AIR estimates that this unique, new, shopping-led market would have generated around £10 billion in additional spending across the whole of the UK. We urge everybody who cares about Britain's economy to make a budget submission calling for the return of tax-free shopping. You can find AIR's simple guide to making a Budget Submission and details of AIR's Budget Webinar at 10:30 on Wednesday Jan 17th at https://lnkd.in/gW6P7-vJ Howard Dawber Ben Johnson Dee Corsi Derrick Hardman Tobias Caesari Pete Bowyer FRSA Elio Fang

Plan a meeting that allows your attendees to choose their adventure by selecting which walkable hotel fits their style, budget and Savannah bucket list. See all the perks of hosting a citywide in the standout of the South. #visitsavannah #meetingprofs #eventprofs #meetingsandevents #meetingsmeanbusiness #letsmeetthere

The West Midlands has broken records again, with more people visiting the region in 2023 than ever before... 📈 145.4 million people spent time here, enjoying our culture, food, retail, hospitality, sporting and business events offering. ✈ Four million more people (3% up) visited compared to data from 2022, when the region hosted the Commonwealth Games. 💰 The visitor economy in the West Midlands is now worth £16.3 billion, up £2.2 billion (15%). WMGC Chief Executive Neil Rami, said: “The new West Midlands visitor pass, currently being developed, will positively change the way that people enjoy our region’s great venues, landmarks and hidden gems. “Building on another record-breaking year for tourism in the West Midlands and responding to a high demand from both visitors and our partners to introduce it, the pass will make it more affordable and convenient for the growing number of people who are choosing to spend their leisure time in this region. “We hope our new pass will encourage visitors to stay longer and explore even more of our award-winning attractions and hospitality settings, which might not have been on their original itineraries.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eSpy5uxe

💥👥The @West Midlands Growth Company has just published their visitor economy data for 2023, revealing that a record-breaking 145.4 million people visited the region this past year. Visitors flocked to enjoy the rich culture, diverse food scene, vibrant retail, hospitality, sporting events, and dynamic business opportunities. At Conference Aston, we are thrilled to see the #WestMidlands achieving such incredible visitor numbers in 2023. Our venue has welcomed a diverse range of guests and hosted numerous successful events, reflecting the region’s appeal and thriving economy. 🗣Samantha Brown, our Head of Conference Aston, shares her reaction: "Birmingham and the wider region continue to be a top destination for the meetings industry, and that has been reflected in our performance. Despite the challenging economic backdrop, we have had a strong year with overall occupancy growing by 2.7% year on year. Hotel bookings were boosted by major sporting and music events at the city's leading venues, building on our growing reputation following the Commonwealth Games. "Looking ahead, there is a clear need for an array of venues to meet the needs of the changing conferencing market. Residential programmes and UK domestic conferences continue to grow, maintaining a preference for central locations, with some smaller meetings in lesser demand as the needs of business and travellers change. This is an area we at Conference Aston are specialists in, with accommodation, event spaces and excellent restaurant facilities in one city centre, campus location." 🔗Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4d3ZF8t #WestMidlands #VisitorEconomy #ConferenceAston #Birmingham #Tourism #Hospitality #BusinessEvents 

Some useful tourism insights for Edinburgh here!

London Drowns Its Green Pioneers as Oceandiva Heads Back to the EU. It’s been a long journey for Oceandiva London, built in a Dutch shipyard and the result of a partnership between a Dutch events company and the Smart Group Ltd but today its trading company has expressed its huge disappointment that the front line battle over the River Thames is over, citing that London’s lack of green readiness is drowning its green pioneers. The decision, made by the owners, comes after prolonged challenges in navigating the complex web of regulatory and certification processes in the UK. For Oceandiva, a frontrunner in sustainable floating event venues, the combination of regulatory challenges and infrastructural inadequacies proved too great to overcome. The 'Oceandiva London' stood as a beacon for the future, the world’s first carbon-neutral floating event venue of its caliber. "This vessel is our vision for the future of sustainable events, a dream we hoped to realize in London. It's disheartening that instead of embracing such innovations, infrastructural and bureaucratic barriers have made it impossible to continue our operations in the city,” lamented Edwin Petersen, CEO of Oceandiva. Although thousands of worried Londons residents disagreed, fighting tirelessly to stop Europe's biggest party boat docking close to their homes fearing the vessel, which is longer than a jumbo jet, will cause huge disruption. The boat's operators invested in two piers near Butlers Wharf & West India Pier near Canary Wharf. The vessel was last moored at King George V Dock in east London. It was proposed that passengers in London were to jump the £25m vessel at Butler's Wharf Pier owned by long standing River Thames operators Livett's, where the boat was to stay moored for the events duration or cruise along the river. The wharf now contains some of the city's most desirable properties, with two-bedroom flats going for no less than £2m. The decision also impacts another long standing family river operator Thames Marine Services Ltd who were to Captain & manage the vessels operation. It was also understood that they were to work in collaboration with Oceandiva via its other business, Net Zero Marine Services (NZMS) headed by Miles Cole HM Dip, MSc, to develop a new electric river highway. It was proposed at the time that NZMS would install the first charging point at West India Pier on the River Thames in London for Oceandiva, supported by a loan from the Port of London Authority (PLA) but this never materialized. The successful campaigners have insisted they were not NIMBYs and were protecting the Thames for everyone. National Shipbuilding Office Department for Business and Trade Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Transport for London #thames #riverthames #netzero #maritime #inlandwaterways #london Maritime and Coastguard Agency #events #smes Mayor of London The Royal Docks Team

London Drowns Its Green Pioneers as Oceandiva Heads Back to the EU. It’s been a long journey for Oceandiva London, built in a Dutch shipyard and the result of a partnership between a Dutch events company and the Smart Group Ltd but today its trading company has expressed its huge disappointment that the front line battle over the River Thames is over, citing that London’s lack of green readiness is drowning its green pioneers. The decision, made by the owners, comes after prolonged challenges in navigating the complex web of regulatory and certification processes in the UK. For Oceandiva, a frontrunner in sustainable floating event venues, the combination of regulatory challenges and infrastructural inadequacies proved too great to overcome. The 'Oceandiva London' stood as a beacon for the future, the world’s first carbon-neutral floating event venue of its caliber. "This vessel is our vision for the future of sustainable events, a dream we hoped to realize in London. It's disheartening that instead of embracing such innovations, infrastructural and bureaucratic barriers have made it impossible to continue our operations in the city,” lamented Edwin Petersen, CEO of Oceandiva. Although thousands of worried London's residents disagreed, fighting tirelessly to stop Europe's biggest party boat docking close to their homes fearing the vessel, which is longer than a jumbo jet, will cause huge disruption. The boat's operators invested in two piers near Butlers Wharf and West India Pier near Canary Wharf. The vessel was last moored at King George V Dock in east London. It was proposed that passengers in London were to jump the £25m vessel at Butler's Wharf Pier owned by long standing River Thames operators  Livett's, where the boat was to stay moored for the events duration or cruise along the river. The wharf now contains some of the city's most desirable properties, with two-bedroom flats going for no less than £2m. The decision also impacts another long standing family river operator Thames Marine Services Ltd who were to Captain & manage the vessels operation. It was also understood that they were to work in collaboration with Oceandiva via its other business, Net Zero Marine Services (NZMS) headed by Miles Cole HM Dip, MSc, to develop a new electric river highway. It was proposed at the time that NZMS would install the first charging point at West India Pier on the River Thames in London for Oceandiva, supported by a loan from the Port of London Authority (PLA) but this never materialized. The successful campaigners have insisted they were not NIMBYs and were protecting the Thames for everyone. National Shipbuilding Office Department for Business and Trade Department for Energy Security and Net ZeroDepartment for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Transport for London #thames #riverthames #netzero #maritime #inlandwaterways #london Maritime and Coastguard Agency #events #smes Mayor of London The Royal Docks Team

When choosing a conference destination that combines breathtaking natural beauty with top-notch facilities, Banff and Lake Louise stand out as unparalleled choices. Here’s what makes these locations truly special for hosting conferences: 🌟 Spectacular Scenery: Host your event with the stunning landscapes of the Canadian Rockies as your backdrop. Banff and Lake Louise offer unforgettable views of pristine lakes, towering peaks, and lush forests. 🏨 World-Class Venues: Enjoy the historic elegance of Fairmont Banff Springs, The Rimrock Resort and the lakeside luxury of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. These venues blend charm, comfort, and state-of-the-art facilities. 🚶 Endless Activities: Beyond the conference room, attendees can hike, canoe, or explore charming local towns. There’s always something exciting to do in both winter and summer. 🍽️ Culinary Excellence: Treat your guests to a culinary journey with fresh, local ingredients and international flavors, from gourmet dining to cozy mountain cafes. 🤝 Inspiring Atmosphere: The serene environment of Banff and Lake Louise fosters creativity and focus. Perfect for brainstorming sessions or networking events with stunning views. 🏆 Unique Experiences: Offer attendees remarkable experiences like visits to Banff Upper Hot Springs, scenic gondola rides, or wildlife safaris. Create lasting memories and add a unique touch to your conference. Choosing Banff or Lake Louise for your next conference means more than just a venue—it’s about providing an inspiring, luxurious, and unforgettable setting that will leave a lasting impression on all attendees. Plan Your Next Conference in Banff or Lake Louise and elevate your event to new heights! Video Credit: Destination Canada #ConferenceDestinations #Banff #LakeLouise #EventPlanning #LuxuryVenues #CanadianRockies #InspirationInNature #Gather #StayIconic #FairmontHotels