Cath's first post - The Wonderful World of Conferences

Having just returned from IMEX in Frankfurt, my first experience as a Visitor rather than an Exhibitor, it never ceases to amaze me what a wonderful world the MICE Industry is – it surely must be one of the most fascinating sectors for us to play a part in as venues, destinations, suppliers, PCOs, DMCs and hotels?

After all, where else would you have the privilege of working in an environment with conferences that shape our futures? Whether it is a medical conference that announces new research that makes a real difference to people’s lives, an international government conference that shapes our futures, or a corporate client launching a new product that impacts our day-to-day business – only in our industry are we regularly exposed to this variety, wealth of knowledge, life-changing research from organisations that shape our destiny and future. I find it amazing, exciting but also humbling and like many of my colleagues in this diverse sector, I am proud to play my small part in it.

Architects generally hold the view that that their profession is the oldest industry in the world as people needed somewhere to live – my view is that the meetings industry is much older! Let’s face it, if you needed to design and build a new abode for your fellow tribesmen and women, surely there would have been a meeting first? Consequently, you would have needed a venue and someone to organise the meeting? The facts speak for themselves, we can be confident that the MICE Industry is one of the oldest industries in the world!