This month Leanne and Tanita sit down with Sammy Connell from NASUWT The Teachers' Union to talk all things wellness and its ongoing impact on association events.

Wellness, Wisdom & the Future of Events with Sammy Connell

When it comes to destination marketing, few cities are embracing purpose, sustainability, and inclusion as holistically as Ottawa. In a lively episode of Eventful Encounters, recorded at IMEX Frankfurt, Lesley Pincombe, President and CEO of Rogers Centre Ottawa, made a compelling case for why Canada’s capital is more than just a political hub – it’s a venue for transformative events.

From the Heart of Ottawa: Lesley Pincombe on Reimagining the Rogers Centre

In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of industry conversation, few are challenging the status quo quite like Rory Archbold, founder of New Intent. Speaking live at IMEX Frankfurt on the Eastside Rooms podcast Eventful Encounters, Rory delivered a timely and candid conversation on what inclusion in the events sector really looks like – and how far we still have to go.

Everyone's Welcome: Making Space for All in Events

Live from IMEX Frankfurt, Eventful Encounters gathered two global voices to explore how business events are being strategically embedded into national economic growth. Carlos Martinez (Mexico City Tourism Fund) and Glenton de Kock (South African Association for the Conference Industry - SAACI) [AB1] unpacked how infrastructure, policy alignment, and community engagement are turning events into long-term investments.

Events Without Borders: Insights from South Africa and Mexico

As associations worldwide grapple with a rapidly shifting political and economic landscape, new research from The Hague and Partners Convention Bureau in collaboration with the European Society of Association Executives offers a vital snapshot of the challenges ahead. Discussed in-depth here on Eventful Encounters, Head of the Convention Bureau, Bas Schot laid out not only the concerning findings but also how destinations and venues can offer solutions.

Geopolitics Decoded: Insights from The Hague

At this year's ICCA UK & Ireland Conference in Leeds we caught up with the team launching new tools to encourage inclusion through neurodiversity at event.  Listen in and learn more.

Empowering Inclusion through Neurodiversity

We sat down with ICCA's regional directors for Europe to learn more about ICCA and how it impacts our industry.

The Power of GLobal Connections: ICCA's Impact on the Events Industry

During our podcast recording with Dot Lung we ended up chatting about influencers - so hit record again and wanted to share this bonus material...

Influencer Marketing - Mastering Social Media for Unforgettable Events with Dot Lung - part 2 

At The Eastside Rooms, we’re thrilled to host this year’s ABPCO Festival of Learning on April 29, with the newly introduced Technology Showcase taking place the evening before. 

This prestigious event, aimed at bringing together the entire association events industry, represents the perfect intersection of collaboration, education, and innovation—values we hold dear. We interview Heather Lishman (ABPCO Association Director) and Pauline Beatie (ABPCO Co-chair) to learn more.

Elevating Knowledge: The ABPCO Festival of Learning at The Eastside Rooms

This episode Leanne and Tanita sit down with “Mother of Social Dragons” Dot Lung to talk about her Dragon formula, event social activations and the importance of authenticity.

Plus keep an eye out for a bonus issue recorded with Dot, looking at influencer marketing and comms. It will be dropping over the next few weeks.

Mastering Social Media for Unforgettable Events with Dot Lung

Brought to you from The Eastside Rooms, these regular chats, interviews and debates from a range of industry experts, colleagues and friends are a great way to catch up on industry trends, learn a little about what we have been up to - or simply relax and listen.

As a leading venue in the meeting and event industry, located next to one of Birmingham's best hotels, the podcast will feature business event, hospitality and travel content, in additional to trending topics such as sustainability, wellness, finance and AI.

Adam Baggs

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