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People Make Mathematics: Glasgow to host the International Congress of Mathematicians for the first time in 2030 Featured post
Industry News02-09-26

People Make Mathematics: Glasgow to host the International Congress of Mathematicians for the first time in 2030

The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) is set to welcome the world’s leading mathematicians in 2030, when Glasgow hosts the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) for the first time.The Congress, which is held every four years and will see thousands of mathematicians and delegates from around the world gather in Glasgow, includes the presentation of the prestigious Fields Medal, which featured in the Oscar-winning movie ‘Good Will Hunting’.Often described as the “Nobel Prize of Mathematics”, the Fields Medal is awarded to between two and four mathematicians under the age of 40 in recognition of outstanding mathematical achievement.The prestigious accolade was a central reference point in the classic movie which told the story of a mathematical genius hiding in plain-sight and received a slew of Oscar nominations in 1998 and saw Robin Williams win Best Supporting Actor and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Best Original Screenplay.The successful bid to bring the ICM to Glasgow was supported by academics from the University of Glasgow, built around a broader and ambitious vision of accessibility, collaboration and global participation and the message: ‘People Make Mathematics’.For the SEC, securing the Congress enhances its reputation as a destination for some of the world’s largest and most influential academic gatherings. The Campus recently hosted the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting in February 2026, attracting more than 6,500 scientists, students and policymakers to Glasgow. It was the first time the biennial event had been held outside the United States.Also in 2026 the SEC welcomed the 63rd European Renal Association (ERA) Congress, which set an all-time attendance record with 10,680 registrations and a record-breaking number of scientific submissions.Dawn Lauder, Director of Conference Sales at the SEC, said: “Securing the International Congress of Mathematicians is a fantastic achievement for the SEC and reflects the talent and determination of our team and our ability to deliver world-leading conferences here in Glasgow.“ICM is one of the most prestigious events in the international academic calendar, and the fact that it will be held in Glasgow for the first time makes this particularly special.”Dominic McKay, CEO of the SEC, said: “The ICM is a truly global event, bringing together some of the world’s leading mathematical minds. Our ambition has always been to put the SEC and Glasgow firmly on the international stage for major conferences, and this further demonstrates the strength of that ambition. From the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting to the European Renal Association Congress, we have shown that Glasgow can host the very best in international science and academia and ICM 2030 will stand as another landmark moment.”Professor Michael Wemyss, Chair of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow, said: "It is a great honour to have been selected by the IMU General Assembly to host the General Assembly 2030 in Dublin, and the ICM 2030 in Glasgow. This brings a generational opportunity to game-change the profile of mathematics in the UK, Ireland and beyond, and to welcome mathematicians from all over the world to collaborate in 2030.“We are particularly proud that our message that People Make Mathematics resonated with the delegates, and that they shared our vision that international collaboration can be fostered in a compact city, where many informal interactions can occur. We passionately believe Glasgow and the SEC will be the ideal congress venue, with its warm and friendly atmosphere, and its values emphasising the importance of people and collaboration."Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism & Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Destination Glasgow, said: “Glasgow hosts more international conferences than any other UK city outside London, delivering over £200m in economic benefit from delegate spend annually. However, it's the beyond economic benefit that attracts prestigious academic meetings to our city, such as ICM 2030. Associations are keen to be connected in with the world-leading research from the city's academic institutions, such as the University of Glasgow, who led the bid with partners across the UK and further afield."

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Ready for Business CHS Manchester Unveils Exhibitor Line-up Featured post
Industry News02-09-26

Ready for Business CHS Manchester Unveils Exhibitor Line-up

2nd September 26, Manchester, UK: As event organisers continue to balance tighter budgets, evolving delegate expectations and the need to deliver more with less, CHS Manchester is bringing together an exhibitor line-up designed to help them do exactly that.The inaugural show will welcome an impressive mix of international hotel brands, iconic venues, destinations and specialist suppliers, giving visitors the opportunity to compare options, discover new ideas and build relationships with the people behind them.Global names including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Marriott Hotels UK, Meliá Hotels International, Treehouse Hotels and Dakota Hotels will be joined by renowned venues including Allianz Stadium, Magna, ODEON, The Jockey Club Venues and Renaissance at Kelham Hall.Meanwhile, destination partners including Destination Milton Keynes and West Midlands Growth Company will showcase their regions, while specialist organisations including Conference Works, Sterling Event Group, Bright Vision, Venues of Excellence, Axxiom Hospitality, Kingfisher Hospitality, RBH Hospitality Management, Manchester Metropolitan University, Legends and Mad Swans complete a line-up that reflects the breadth of today's events industry.Emma King, CEO of CHS Manchester, said: "There is a real energy coming from our visitor community ahead of CHSA Manchester this year. They have events to fulfil, they want to do business, and they’re coming to the show to get things done. I’m so pleased that we have the exhibitors, the people and the personalities to meet this demand, to fulfil some big expectations from planners, and create real momentum in the industry. It’s a great line-up.”Alongside the exhibition, visitors can also take advantage of a packed education programme and networking opportunities delivered with industry partners including NOWIE, beam, mia, SITE, Fast Forward 15 and Evolve, ensuring every conversation extends beyond the exhibition floor.

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London Hilton on Park Lane Reports Growing Shift as Event Formats Blur Featured post
Industry News01-09-26

London Hilton on Park Lane Reports Growing Shift as Event Formats Blur

1st September 26, London, UK: The days of conferences, networking receptions and gala dinners existing as separate event formats are beginning to fade, as organisers increasingly combine elements of each into a single programme.The trend is particularly evident among returning clients. Around 40% of repeat bookings at London Hilton on Park Lane have evolved beyond their original format, incorporating new culinary concepts, entertainment or production elements to refresh the delegate experience.Aaron Testo, director of groups, conferences & events at London Hilton on Park Lane, said: "Challenging the status quo of a conference, awards dinner or networking event has become a major focus for many of our clients."We're seeing a move towards events that achieve several objectives in one programme, rather than hosting multiple events with individual goals. Clients want delegates to learn, connect, celebrate and build relationships during the same event. That naturally creates a blurring of traditional event formats."The shift is also influencing how organisers approach catering and networking, with food increasingly viewed as a way to bring people together rather than simply provide refreshments."The more engaging and creative a networking opportunity is, the stronger the turnout and the longer people stay," Aaron said. "That's increasingly what our clients are trying to achieve."We're seeing growing demand for interactive food concepts and more social styles of dining because they naturally encourage movement, conversation and connection. It's often where the best conversations happen."Aaron adds that organisers are looking for ways to evolve traditional formats without losing the sense of occasion that makes face-to-face events memorable."People still value moments that feel special, whether that's an awards ceremony, conference or client event," he said. "But they also want those moments to feel more social, immersive and memorable."The most successful experiences aren't built around entertainment or catering for their own sake. Every element should have a purpose. Whether it's live chef stations, personalised food experiences inspired by the destination or interactive entertainment, they should all help people connect, collaborate and leave with something worth talking about."Ultimately, organisers aren't trying to reinvent conferences or awards dinners. They're looking at how every part of an event can contribute to the overall experience and help people get more from being there."

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GES Goes Live… from the AEO Conference - GES brings broadcast-style studio, original content and a new creative reveal to the AEO Conference Featured post
Industry News01-09-26

GES Goes Live… from the AEO Conference - GES brings broadcast-style studio, original content and a new creative reveal to the AEO Conference

1st September 26, UK: GES is launching a major creative activation at this year’s AEO Conference, designed to both celebrate and shine a light on the people, personalities and ideas shaping the exhibition industry.‘GES Live… from the AEO Conference’ will see GES create a fully functioning broadcast studio at the Vox, Birmingham, on 3 September, interviewing speakers, VIPs and industry leaders live from the heart of the event. The activation has been created in partnership with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and underlines the brand’s support for both the conference and the wider industry.The studio will have the feel of a sporting broadcast, a place where the action comes back to the studio, conversations continue, and the people behind the event get their moment on screen. Interviews and reactions will be captured throughout the day, with selected content broadcast across GES and AEO social channels during the conference and more released in the days and weeks that follow.Anna Golden, Chief Executive, AEO, commented, “GES is a great partner to the AEO and have really embraced what the conference is about this year. GES Live will give us another way to celebrate the brilliant people and thinking within our industry, while creating content that can take those conversations beyond the day. It’s a fantastic example of a partner bringing its ideas and expertise to the event and making the experience richer as a result. We can’t wait to see the studio go live.”GES Live GES Live has been created using VICO, one of the four designs within The Edit, GES's curated range of premium stand concepts launched last year. Designed to offer exhibitors a more considered, design-led presence, VICO has been reimagined for the AEO Conference as a live broadcast studio and content hub, extending its role beyond the exhibition floor to become a platform for content, conversation and industry insight.Penny Banks, Creative Director at GES, said: "We're incredibly proud to support the AEO Conference, not just through sponsorship, but by actively contributing to the event experience itself. The exhibition industry is built on great people, great ideasand great conversations, and GES Live is our way of helping bring those moments to life to share them with a wider audience. Using VICO as the foundation for the studio felt like a natural fit. It's a great example of how thoughtful design can be adapted to serve a completely different purpose.”GES are also planning one more reveal for the day too, with conference attendees the first to get a sneak peek at a new creative identity ahead of its wider launch post-event.GES Live… from the AEO Conference will broadcast from the Vox, Birmingham, throughout the AEO Conference on 3 September 2026.

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Hilton Birmingham Metropole Celebrates 50 Years with Immersive Showcase Featured post
Industry News28-08-26

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Celebrates 50 Years with Immersive Showcase

August 2026: Hilton Birmingham Metropole marked its 50th anniversary in spectacular style last night, welcoming event buyers, agencies and industry partners for an immersive celebration that showcased the hotel's creativity and vision for the future of events.Guests were invited on a journey through the venue, experiencing transformed event spaces, guided site visits, live entertainment, innovative production and an evening of celebration that demonstrated the scale and versatility of the UK's largest conference hotel outside London. With a theme of “A Merry Un-Birthday”, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Hilton Birmingham Metropole was transformed into a whimsical wonderland.The milestone allowed the Hilton Birmingham Metropole team to demonstrate its new Strategic Event Partner Programme, which brings together a carefully selected network of trusted event specialists to provide clients with a seamless, fully integrated event delivery experience.The programme formalises long-standing relationships with four specialist suppliers:· Eventologists - creative event design and production specialists· Protec - technical production and audiovisual experts· Apollo Music - bespoke music and entertainment solutions· Showstoppers Entertainment - live entertainment and performance experiencesTogether, these partners transformed the hotel for one unforgettable evening, demonstrating how collaboration and creative excellence can elevate every stage of the delegate journey.Nicola Betley, Area general manager, Hilton Birmingham Metropole, said:"Our 50th anniversary was about much more than celebrating our history, it was about showcasing what's possible when great people come together with a shared ambition to create unforgettable experiences. Seeing the vision brought to life with our incredible partners was a fitting way to celebrate this milestone. These partnerships represent years of collaboration and trust. By bringing together specialists who know our venue, our team and our clients, we're making event planning simpler while giving organisers access to some of the very best creative and production expertise in the industry."The evening highlighted Hilton Birmingham Metropole's continued commitment to innovation, partnership and customer experience, while celebrating the people and relationships that have shaped the venue over the past five decades.

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Marketing leaders with global exhibitions pedigree launch new consultancy Featured post
Industry News25-08-26

Marketing leaders with global exhibitions pedigree launch new consultancy

Plus Ultra Marketing draws on 30 years' combined experience, including senior roles at global exhibitions leader GES, to help event suppliers unlock commercial growth.Coventry, UK - August 2026: David and Michelle Lane, a husband-and-wife team with senior marketing backgrounds in the global exhibitions industry, have launched Plus Ultra Marketing, a consultancy dedicated to helping suppliers in the exhibitions and events industry find and act on their biggest growth opportunities.The pair bring more than 30 years of combined marketing experience across supplier, organiser and venue businesses, giving them first-hand understanding of how event products and services are positioned, marketed, evaluated and bought."The event supply chain is full of brilliant businesses," said David Lane, co-founder of Plus Ultra Marketing. "They know their craft inside out, but knowing where to focus limited time, budget and resources can be difficult. More marketing activity isn't always the answer. The opportunity might be a proposition that isn't landing, leads getting lost between marketing and sales, or something valuable within the business that hasn't been properly explored. Our job is to find where marketing can make the biggest commercial difference, develop the right response and give the business a practical way to move it forward."Plus Ultra structures its work around focused 90-day engagements, each concentrating on the single commercial challenge or opportunity with the greatest potential impact, whether that's sharpening a proposition, building a go-to-market or lead-generation strategy, improving the customer journey, strengthening the marketing-to-sales handoff, mapping a commercial process, or identifying opportunities for automation.Each engagement turns the strategy into implementation-ready plans, frameworks, briefs, templates and tools that clients can put into action using their own teams, external specialists or AI tools, giving them the flexibility to deliver in the way that best fits their skills, capacity and budget."Businesses often know there's more opportunity there, but they don't always know where to focus first - that’s where we add value," said Michelle Lane, co-founder of Plus Ultra Marketing. "We bring an experienced outside perspective, identify what is most likely to make a meaningful difference, and turn that into something practical. The aim is to give clients clarity about what to do next, why it matters, and a clear structure for moving it forward."Beyond the initial 90-day engagement, Plus Ultra can continue to support clients as a strategic adviser - reviewing progress, testing assumptions, and helping determine where attention should move next.Plus Ultra Marketing is now working with event suppliers and other growing organisations looking to sharpen their positioning, improve commercial performance and make more of the opportunities already in front of them. The consultancy has already been engaged by its first client, a full-service contracting business in the exhibitions sector

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Hilton Cambridge City Centre Welcomes Mirko Spalvieri as Head Chef Featured post
Industry News25-08-26

Hilton Cambridge City Centre Welcomes Mirko Spalvieri as Head Chef

CAMBRIDGE, UK - Hilton Cambridge City Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Mirko Spalvieri as head chef. Spalvieri joined the hotel on 13 July 2026, bringing 15 years of culinary experience gained across restaurants in Italy and the United Kingdom.In his new role, chef Spalvieri leads the hotel’s kitchen team and oversees its food operations and menu development, including daily dining and bespoke menus for conferences and events.“I’m delighted to welcome Mirko Spalvieri to the Hilton Cambridge City Centre team as our new head chef. Chef Spalvieri joins us at a crucial time as we plan our hotel renovation for next year and will look to reposition and relaunch our food and drink outlets from Summer 2027. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from one of Cambridge’s busiest and well-regarded high[1]class restaurants, The Ivy Cambridge, and we look forward to him delivering a touch of class with our dishes and developing our kitchen brigade. His calm demeanour, Italian heritage, creative passion, training focus and large-scale catering experience will all go hand-in-hand with our goals and values here at Cambridge’s largest and most centrally located premium hotel. It’s great to have him on board!” said Richard Finn, general manager, Hilton Cambridge City Centre.Spalvieri began his culinary career in Italy, where he completed a five-year Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts at Marco Gavio Apicio in Anzio. He went on to develop his skills in independent Italian restaurants, including Ristorante Il Vittoria in Nettuno and Satricum, a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in Latina.His years working in restaurants along the Italian coast played an important role in shaping his approach to food. Working with seafood arriving from local boats and fish markets taught him to respond to seasonality and develop menus around the freshest ingredients available.Spalvieri later became head chef at Sapori di Mare in Anzio, where he led the kitchen team, developed seasonal menus and oversaw private events. After moving to the United Kingdom in 2019, he joined The Ivy Collection in Cambridge and progressed from senior chef de partie to head chef at The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie. There, he gained extensive experience leading a large team and managing a busy, high-volume kitchen operation.“Joining Hilton Cambridge City Centre marks an important new chapter in my career,” said Spalvieri. “I have always wanted to work in the hotel industry, and I have been impressed by the strength of the kitchen team and the way colleagues across the hotel work together. I want guests to experience food that begins with the highest-quality ingredients, delivers balanced and memorable flavour, and gives them a reason to return.”Spalvieri does not define his cooking through a single cuisine. His approach is shaped by his Italian training, his experience working with fresh seafood and the food cultures he has encountered through travel.At the heart of his philosophy is a commitment to sourcing the best-quality products available and drawing as much flavour as possible from every ingredient. He believes every component should contribute to a balanced dish and, while presentation creates the first impression, taste should always remain the priority.At Hilton Cambridge City Centre, Spalvieri plans to work closely with the kitchen team to develop seasonal specials, monthly themed Supper Clubs and customised menus for conferences and events. He also values the opportunity to work with UK-based and localsuppliers, helping the hotel strengthen its connections with the community and support local businesses.Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner at Bull & Bass Restaurant, with an à la carte menu and seasonal specials. The Piano Bar offers all-day dining and afternoon tea, while the hotel also caters for private dining, conferences and events.

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CHS Manchester Fringe Spreads Across the City Featured post
Industry News19-08-26

CHS Manchester Fringe Spreads Across the City

17th August 26, Manchester, UK: CHS Manchester has unveiled the latest additions to its growing Fringe programme, with new experiences, workshops and social events springing up across the city ahead of the show at the AO Arena next month.Taking place throughout the show, the expanding Fringe will see the events community head out across Manchester for everything from chocolate making, live music and cocktail masterclasses to food tours, live event pitching and behind-the-scenes venue experiences.Among the experiences now confirmed is Creativity, Chocolate and Music at Hyatt Regency, where guests can take part in a sip and paint session, make chocolates alongside the hotel’s pastry chef and enjoy a live set from Kenny B from the hotel’s 18th floor.Elsewhere, From Power Hall to Cloud 23 will take guests from a live engine demonstration and exclusive event-space experience at the Science and Industry Museum, through to a Benugo reception and cocktail masterclass high above the city at Cloud 23.Flavours of Manchester will take a different route through the destination, beginning with low-carbon dining at Radisson Manchester City Centre before heading out on foot to discover some of Manchester’s independent food stories and finishing with drinks and nibbles at Townhouse Manchester.The Fringe is also continuing to grow beyond CHS’s own hosted buyer experiences.NOWIE will host Pitch Perfect: The Perfect Pitch Workshop, putting attendees into agency teams to respond to a live event brief before pitching their ideas to a panel of senior corporate buyers. Meanwhile, The Delegate Wranglers are also working on their own Fringe activity, with more details set to follow.The activity leads into Manchester Calling, the CHS Manchester Welcome Reception at Manchester Central, bringing the wider show community together ahead of CHS Manchester the following day. Adding some unmistakable Manchester flavour, the reception will also feature a special guest appearance from Manchester-born DJ Clint Boon.For CHS Manchester CEO Emma King, the way the Fringe is developing is as important as its growing size. “The Fringe is growing beyond what we’re doing at CHS; it’s got a life of its own now, and the industry is taking it forward,” comments Emma. “It’s a wonderful reflection of the industry and the city that so much is happening, all around the show and across the city. It’s a great success story for everyone.”“The Fringe is for everyone, and seeing it grow organically around CHS tells us something about how people want to experience industry events. They want the show, but they also want all the extra experiences that happen around it.”The Fringe begins across Manchester on 29 September, ahead of CHS Manchester at the AO Arena on 30 September.

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Hilton Birmingham Metropole Launches Strategic Supplier Partnership Programme to Enhance Guest Experience Featured post
Industry News17-08-26

Hilton Birmingham Metropole Launches Strategic Supplier Partnership Programme to Enhance Guest Experience

One Collective. Infinite Possibilities 17th August 2026 - Hilton Birmingham Metropole has announced a new strategic partnership programme with a select group of trusted event specialists. Together, the team delivers a fully integrated network of event suppliers designed to provide clients with a simpler, more seamless planning experience at the venue.Hilton Birmingham Metropole has formalised the partnership with long-time partners: - Eventologists – creative event design and production specialists - Protec – technical production and audiovisual experts - Apollo Music – bespoke music and entertainment solutions - Showstoppers Entertainment – live entertainment and performance experiencesEach supplier brings with them extensive experience of delivering successful events at Hilton Birmingham Metropole and share the venue's commitment to excellence. The initiative moves beyond the traditional venue-supplier relationship, bringing together an established team of experts who already understand the venue, its operations and its event standards.Nicola Betley, Area General Manager, Hilton Birmingham Metropole, said:"This new partnership reflects our commitment to making event planning as seamless as possible for our clients. We know that organising an event often means coordinating multiple stakeholders, suppliers and moving parts. By bringing together a trusted network of partners who already know our venue, our teams and our standards, we're able to offer a more streamlined experience that reduces complexity and allows clients to focus on achieving their event objectives."The partnership has been developed to deliver tangible benefits for event organisers, including faster planning processes, improved communication, reduced administration and greater operational reliability. It supports every stage of the event journey, from initial planning andproduction through to entertainment and on-site delivery, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for organisers and attendees alike.The launch reinforces Hilton Birmingham Metropole's position as one of the UK's leading event destinations, offering clients not just a venue, but a complete event delivery ecosystem where every detail has already been considered, coordinated and perfected.

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Scottish Event Campus Welcomes Campbell Arnott To Drive International Association Growth
Industry News30-07-26

Scottish Event Campus Welcomes Campbell Arnott To Drive International Association Growth

The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has strengthened its Conference Sales team with the appointment of Campbell Arnott as Senior Sales and Business Development Manager.Campbell joins the SEC following 16 years with the Glasgow Convention Bureau, where he played a key role in attracting international conferences to the city and helping secure business events that continue to deliver lasting economic and social benefits for Glasgow.In his new role, Campbell will help drive the SEC’s international association strategy. Working closely with the SEC’s city partners, his role will support the SEC’s ambition of strengthening its position as a premier international conference destination.Campbell Arnott said: "Glasgow is one of Europe's most attractive and accessible congress cities and the SEC is its anchor, combining world-class facilities with an incredible delegate experience. I've always believed that if you work in sales, you need to truly believe in the product you're selling, and there are few better products than Glasgow and the SEC."I’ve spent most of my professional career working closely with the venue team who are hugely experienced in delivering major conferences. I’m really excited at the opportunity of playing a much bigger role in securing future business and helping to bring even more success to the SEC and the city."There's a real ambition about where the SEC wants to go, and the opportunity to work alongside such an experienced team to help secure the right conferences for the future was something I really wanted to be part of," he addedCampbell joins the SEC at an exciting time for the business as it continues to strengthen its position in the international association market. This year, the venue has welcomed landmark events including the American Geophysical Union's Ocean Sciences Meeting which was held outside North America for the first time, and the ERA Annual Congress, Europe's largest nephrology conference, which attracted record attendance.Recent conference wins include the 25th IET International Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission and the International Congress of Mathematicians in 2030.Dawn Lauder, Director of Conference Sales at the SEC, added: "Campbell is very well known and respected in the international association community and has spent years championing the SEC, Glasgow and Scotland on the global stage.“Every major congress the SEC hosts brings academic, clinical and commercial knowledge to Scottish institutions, creating lasting intellectual capital. Campbell’s experience and industry knowledge will be invaluable as we seek to build on our success to date and deliver more major international conferences for the venue. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”

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People Make Mathematics: Glasgow to host the International Congress of Mathematicians for the first time in 2030
02-09-26 People Make Mathematics: Glasgow to host the International Congress of Mathematicians for the first time in 2030

The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) is set to welcome the world’s leading mathematicians in 2030, when Glasgow hosts the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) for the first time.The Congress, which is held every four years and will see thousands of mathematicians and delegates from around the world gather in Glasgow, includes the presentation of the prestigious Fields Medal, which featured in the Oscar-winning movie ‘Good Will Hunting’.Often described as the “Nobel Prize of Mathematics”, the Fields Medal is awarded to between two and four mathematicians under the age of 40 in recognition of outstanding mathematical achievement.The prestigious accolade was a central reference point in the classic movie which told the story of a mathematical genius hiding in plain-sight and received a slew of Oscar nominations in 1998 and saw Robin Williams win Best Supporting Actor and Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Best Original Screenplay.The successful bid to bring the ICM to Glasgow was supported by academics from the University of Glasgow, built around a broader and ambitious vision of accessibility, collaboration and global participation and the message: ‘People Make Mathematics’.For the SEC, securing the Congress enhances its reputation as a destination for some of the world’s largest and most influential academic gatherings. The Campus recently hosted the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting in February 2026, attracting more than 6,500 scientists, students and policymakers to Glasgow. It was the first time the biennial event had been held outside the United States.Also in 2026 the SEC welcomed the 63rd European Renal Association (ERA) Congress, which set an all-time attendance record with 10,680 registrations and a record-breaking number of scientific submissions.Dawn Lauder, Director of Conference Sales at the SEC, said: “Securing the International Congress of Mathematicians is a fantastic achievement for the SEC and reflects the talent and determination of our team and our ability to deliver world-leading conferences here in Glasgow.“ICM is one of the most prestigious events in the international academic calendar, and the fact that it will be held in Glasgow for the first time makes this particularly special.”Dominic McKay, CEO of the SEC, said: “The ICM is a truly global event, bringing together some of the world’s leading mathematical minds. Our ambition has always been to put the SEC and Glasgow firmly on the international stage for major conferences, and this further demonstrates the strength of that ambition. From the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting to the European Renal Association Congress, we have shown that Glasgow can host the very best in international science and academia and ICM 2030 will stand as another landmark moment.”Professor Michael Wemyss, Chair of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow, said: "It is a great honour to have been selected by the IMU General Assembly to host the General Assembly 2030 in Dublin, and the ICM 2030 in Glasgow. This brings a generational opportunity to game-change the profile of mathematics in the UK, Ireland and beyond, and to welcome mathematicians from all over the world to collaborate in 2030.“We are particularly proud that our message that People Make Mathematics resonated with the delegates, and that they shared our vision that international collaboration can be fostered in a compact city, where many informal interactions can occur. We passionately believe Glasgow and the SEC will be the ideal congress venue, with its warm and friendly atmosphere, and its values emphasising the importance of people and collaboration."Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism & Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, Destination Glasgow, said: “Glasgow hosts more international conferences than any other UK city outside London, delivering over £200m in economic benefit from delegate spend annually. However, it's the beyond economic benefit that attracts prestigious academic meetings to our city, such as ICM 2030. Associations are keen to be connected in with the world-leading research from the city's academic institutions, such as the University of Glasgow, who led the bid with partners across the UK and further afield."

02-09-26 Ready for Business CHS Manchester Unveils Exhibitor Line-up

2nd September 26, Manchester, UK: As event organisers continue to balance tighter budgets, evolving delegate expectations and the need to deliver more with less, CHS Manchester is bringing together an exhibitor line-up designed to help them do exactly that.The inaugural show will welcome an impressive mix of international hotel brands, iconic venues, destinations and specialist suppliers, giving visitors the opportunity to compare options, discover new ideas and build relationships with the people behind them.Global names including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Marriott Hotels UK, Meliá Hotels International, Treehouse Hotels and Dakota Hotels will be joined by renowned venues including Allianz Stadium, Magna, ODEON, The Jockey Club Venues and Renaissance at Kelham Hall.Meanwhile, destination partners including Destination Milton Keynes and West Midlands Growth Company will showcase their regions, while specialist organisations including Conference Works, Sterling Event Group, Bright Vision, Venues of Excellence, Axxiom Hospitality, Kingfisher Hospitality, RBH Hospitality Management, Manchester Metropolitan University, Legends and Mad Swans complete a line-up that reflects the breadth of today's events industry.Emma King, CEO of CHS Manchester, said: "There is a real energy coming from our visitor community ahead of CHSA Manchester this year. They have events to fulfil, they want to do business, and they’re coming to the show to get things done. I’m so pleased that we have the exhibitors, the people and the personalities to meet this demand, to fulfil some big expectations from planners, and create real momentum in the industry. It’s a great line-up.”Alongside the exhibition, visitors can also take advantage of a packed education programme and networking opportunities delivered with industry partners including NOWIE, beam, mia, SITE, Fast Forward 15 and Evolve, ensuring every conversation extends beyond the exhibition floor.

01-09-26 GES Goes Live… from the AEO Conference - GES brings broadcast-style studio, original content and a new creative reveal to the AEO Conference

1st September 26, UK: GES is launching a major creative activation at this year’s AEO Conference, designed to both celebrate and shine a light on the people, personalities and ideas shaping the exhibition industry.‘GES Live… from the AEO Conference’ will see GES create a fully functioning broadcast studio at the Vox, Birmingham, on 3 September, interviewing speakers, VIPs and industry leaders live from the heart of the event. The activation has been created in partnership with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and underlines the brand’s support for both the conference and the wider industry.The studio will have the feel of a sporting broadcast, a place where the action comes back to the studio, conversations continue, and the people behind the event get their moment on screen. Interviews and reactions will be captured throughout the day, with selected content broadcast across GES and AEO social channels during the conference and more released in the days and weeks that follow.Anna Golden, Chief Executive, AEO, commented, “GES is a great partner to the AEO and have really embraced what the conference is about this year. GES Live will give us another way to celebrate the brilliant people and thinking within our industry, while creating content that can take those conversations beyond the day. It’s a fantastic example of a partner bringing its ideas and expertise to the event and making the experience richer as a result. We can’t wait to see the studio go live.”GES Live GES Live has been created using VICO, one of the four designs within The Edit, GES's curated range of premium stand concepts launched last year. Designed to offer exhibitors a more considered, design-led presence, VICO has been reimagined for the AEO Conference as a live broadcast studio and content hub, extending its role beyond the exhibition floor to become a platform for content, conversation and industry insight.Penny Banks, Creative Director at GES, said: "We're incredibly proud to support the AEO Conference, not just through sponsorship, but by actively contributing to the event experience itself. The exhibition industry is built on great people, great ideasand great conversations, and GES Live is our way of helping bring those moments to life to share them with a wider audience. Using VICO as the foundation for the studio felt like a natural fit. It's a great example of how thoughtful design can be adapted to serve a completely different purpose.”GES are also planning one more reveal for the day too, with conference attendees the first to get a sneak peek at a new creative identity ahead of its wider launch post-event.GES Live… from the AEO Conference will broadcast from the Vox, Birmingham, throughout the AEO Conference on 3 September 2026.

01-09-26 London Hilton on Park Lane Reports Growing Shift as Event Formats Blur

1st September 26, London, UK: The days of conferences, networking receptions and gala dinners existing as separate event formats are beginning to fade, as organisers increasingly combine elements of each into a single programme.The trend is particularly evident among returning clients. Around 40% of repeat bookings at London Hilton on Park Lane have evolved beyond their original format, incorporating new culinary concepts, entertainment or production elements to refresh the delegate experience.Aaron Testo, director of groups, conferences & events at London Hilton on Park Lane, said: "Challenging the status quo of a conference, awards dinner or networking event has become a major focus for many of our clients."We're seeing a move towards events that achieve several objectives in one programme, rather than hosting multiple events with individual goals. Clients want delegates to learn, connect, celebrate and build relationships during the same event. That naturally creates a blurring of traditional event formats."The shift is also influencing how organisers approach catering and networking, with food increasingly viewed as a way to bring people together rather than simply provide refreshments."The more engaging and creative a networking opportunity is, the stronger the turnout and the longer people stay," Aaron said. "That's increasingly what our clients are trying to achieve."We're seeing growing demand for interactive food concepts and more social styles of dining because they naturally encourage movement, conversation and connection. It's often where the best conversations happen."Aaron adds that organisers are looking for ways to evolve traditional formats without losing the sense of occasion that makes face-to-face events memorable."People still value moments that feel special, whether that's an awards ceremony, conference or client event," he said. "But they also want those moments to feel more social, immersive and memorable."The most successful experiences aren't built around entertainment or catering for their own sake. Every element should have a purpose. Whether it's live chef stations, personalised food experiences inspired by the destination or interactive entertainment, they should all help people connect, collaborate and leave with something worth talking about."Ultimately, organisers aren't trying to reinvent conferences or awards dinners. They're looking at how every part of an event can contribute to the overall experience and help people get more from being there."

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