Convention 2020 Update - Issue 1 May 6th 2010

Contents

• Welcome
• Release of the Phase 1 report
• Convention 2020 IMEX10 sessions
• Participation in Phase 2 – Would you like to run a Workshop?
• Convention 2020 Sponsors and Expert Contributors

Welcome

Welcome to the first issue of the Convention 2020 Update – the newsletter of the Convention 2020 research study. In this first issue we focus on the launch of the Phase 1 report and the accompanying seminars that will be run at IMEX10 from May 25th-27th.

Hopefully you will now have had a chance to read and reflect on the findings of our initial project survey published on March 5th. We’d welcome your feedback.

As we prepare for the launch of the Phase 1 research report for Convention 2020 on May 25th, we do so against a backdrop of further, intermittent airspace closures as a result of the ash clouds from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano, increasingly violent general strikes in Greece, unresolved political unrest in Bangkok and heavy losses reported by major airlines.

These events of the last month – whose full impacts have yet to be fully determined - are a timely reminder of the range of uncertainties the industry faces as we look to the future. They highlight the need for the industry to think more broadly about the range of drivers shaping its future and help clarify the role of the Convention 2020 study.

If you have any queries on the project please get in touch by email - convention2020@fastfuture.com - or via the website

Rohit Talwar

Project Director and CEO – Fast Future Research

rohit@fastfuture.com

Tel +44 (0)20 8830 0766

Release of the Phase 1 Report

The phase 1 report will be launched on May 25th and draws on a range of research activities to address the following:

• Critical strategic changes over the last decade
• Current issues facing the industry
• Key ‘driving forces’ and trends likely to affect the sector in the next decade
• A timeline of critical science and technology developments that could be of relevance
• Strategic challenges for the industry to address

The report will be released at IMEX 10 - which is taking place this year from May 25th – 27th at Messe Frankfurt. We’ve organised a number of interactive presentation sessions at the exhibition to support it – see below for details.

We’d like to point out a key event – the Launch of the Convention 2020 Phase 1 Report. This will take place on Tuesday 25th May in Room 'Seminar', Level 9.2, Hall 9 from 16:00 - 17:00hrs.

The report will be available for download from the project website from 10.00 am (CET) on Tuesday 25th May. Please go to www.convention-2020.com/phase1report for details.

Further information on IMEX 10 can be found at: www.imex-frankfurt.com

Convention 2020 – IMEX10 Sessions

We have five sessions scheduled at IMEX to share the findings of the study. These will cover the main study launch, innovation & technology, the future of meetings and the potential implications for venues and destinations. Details on each of these sessions are provided below and they’re open to all IMEX participants.

If you’d like any further information on any of these sessions please contact us via: convention2020@fastfuture.com

Tuesday 25th May 10.30 – 11.15 Location: PDIP

Convention 2020 - Meeting Innovation and the Technology Timeline

This session will draw on the findings of the Convention 2020 programme to share key examples of how meeting design is evolving around the world to serve rapidly changing customer needs and expectations. The presentation will also unveil a timeline of critical technology developments likely to impact meetings in the future. Further information: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/seminars.php?seminarid=171

Tuesday 25th May 16:00 - 17:00 Location: Seminar, Level 9.2, Hall 9

The Launch of Convention 2020 Phase 1 Report

In this session we will share the critical findings from the first phase of the research - focusing on how the meetings experience could evolve and the implications for key sectors of the event industry from event owners to venues and destinations. Further information: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/seminars.php?seminarid=177

Wednesday 26th May 16.30 – 17.30 Location: Ratio 9.1

Convention 2020 - Venue Implications Workshop

This interactive session will provide the opportunity to explore the implications of the research findings for venues. Delegates will be able to discuss the impact and challenges for convention centres, hotels and other meeting venues. Further information: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/seminars.php?seminarid=192

Thursday 27th May 13.30 – 14.15 Location: PDIP

Convention 2020 - The Future of Meetings

This session will share key findings emerging from the first phase of the study and highlight the implication for the delegate experience, meeting design and event business models. Further information: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/seminars.php?seminarid=201

Thursday 27th May 15.00 – 16.00 Location: Genius 9.1

Convention 2020 - Destination Implications Workshop

This interactive session will provide the opportunity to explore the implications of the research findings for meeting destinations. Delegates will be able to discuss the impact and challenges for CVB's, DMOs, hotels, transport providers and airports. Further information: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/seminars.php?seminarid=203

Participation in Phase 2 – Would you like to run a Workshop?

Phase 2 of the Convention 2020 study runs from June to October 2010 and will focus on exploring the implications of the phase 1 findings for different segments of the industry and on defining a range of possible strategies and event models. We are planning a range of research activities to help explore these questions including a number of workshops at key locations around the world. In the first phase we held discussions in Florence, Dublin, Helsinki, London, Fort Lauderdale, Qatar and Melbourne.

For Phase 2 we are keen to find similar opportunities for ‘opening-out’ the conversation and involving a wide cross section of the industry. We’d be delighted if you’d like to take part. We are looking for partners who are willing to host such workshops. Perhaps we could add a discussion into an existing event you’re organising or incorporate it into your association’s current activities? We’re happy to discuss a range of ideas - can you help?

If you’d like to work with us to organise – or take part in - a workshop, please email rohit@fastfuture.com - and we’ll be in touch with you over the next couple of weeks.