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IMEX America Association Leadership Forum to provide leadership skills training as boards face an unprecedented rate of change

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Future-proofing is among the topics explored at the Association Leadership Forum, a free half-day of education and networking at IMEX America, exclusively for association leaders and created by the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE).

According to ASAE, the world in which associations operate is changing fast, and organizations need to understand the external forces that could make or break their future success. Future-proofing is crucial and forms the backbone of major industry initiatives, including ASAE ForesightWorks, an evidence-based research initiative to create a culture of foresight among associations.

Taking place the day before the show on September 9, the Association Leadership Forum is designed to enhance leadership skills, address the current disruptive business environment, and ensure that associations are nimble enough to achieve results in a competitive landscape.

Participants will be inspired and challenged by visionaries and role models from a variety of professional and trade association backgrounds. Developed as an interactive format, the forum leverages strategic conversations and collaborative peer learning to help senior association members apply advanced leadership concepts. Participants will leave inspired, motivated, and ready to embrace change to drive their association forward.

Offerings to Drive Change

The Association Leadership Forum, which is followed by an Association Evening reception, will cover the following topics:

• Susan Robertson, CAE, Executive Vice President, ASAE President, ASAE Foundation will deliver the Chairman’s opening remarks: Focus on the future for associations, discussing the importance of developing a long-term view of the opportunities and threats on the horizon and using scanning and forecasting to anticipate members’ future needs and preferences. She will provide an overview of ASAE research on the leading drivers of change in the association industry.

• Hannes Combest, Chief Executive Officer, National Auctioneers Association will introduce ASAE’s foundation’s ForesightWorks initiative to reveal how foresight can help drive change in Drivers of change affecting the future of your association. Combest will also discuss how artificial intelligence, evolving workforce dynamics, and shifts in content delivery and consumption are altering the association environment.

• Technology and the future of work will explore how technological advances are disrupting the traditional definition of work and outline what to expect from the impact of flexible working schedules, outsourcing and the gig economy.

• Picking up on that theme, in The societal impact of work redefined, Lynda J Patterson, President and Owner, AMPED, will discuss the impact of growth in the freelance economy on organizational success. Attendees will take away an understanding of how working culture has developed over the years and what to expect in the future.

• Perhaps the critical question executive directors must ask themselves is: “How do you have the right conversation with your board about the future?” In The CEO perspective: Prime your board to probe the future, Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, American Association of Anatomists will identify principles and practices to guide future-focused strategic conversations and decision making. Boynes will also offer tips to instill foresight as a discipline and cultural element and how to support a board’s effectiveness using research and tools from ASAE ForesightWorks.

• This year’s Panel Discussion, Using foresight and imagination to address leadership challenges, will address the trials and opportunities that come from engaging the boards of various organizations in conversations about how to face expected and unexpected challenges.

Making new connections at the Association Evening

Attendees can then network and celebrate the start of IMEX America at Association Evening. Association professionals can unwind with their peers, reconnect with old friends and forge new connections ahead of the show which runs September 10 – 12, 2019 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian® | The Palazzo® in Las Vegas, NV.

“Associations face challenges that are often vastly different from those of a typical business. Facing an unprecedented rate of change from factors such as changing workforce dynamics and advances in technology, association leaders must proactively embrace change. The ability to adapt and respond to these forces is critical to an association’s future,” says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group. “Given the importance of associations to the meeting industry, and the importance of meetings to associations, we’re committed to offering the Association Leadership Forum as a way to examine and collaborate on some of these issues.”

The Association Leadership Forum takes place on Monday September 9. It is created by ASAE and sponsored by Meet Hawai’i.

IMEX America takes place September 10 – 12, 2019, with Smart Monday, powered by MPI on September 9. Registration for the show is free of charge and open to all who work in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Emma Blake (UK): [email protected] ; Norman Birnbach (US): [email protected]      

Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa expands horizon for African Tourism Board

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The Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) with members in 9 African Countries joined the African Tourism Board today. PMAESA is a non-profit intergovernmental body based in Mombasa, Kenya.

PMAESA is made up of Government Line ministries, Port Operators, Logistics and other Port and Shipping stakeholders from Eastern, Southern African and Western Indian Ocean Region.

MAESA’s primary objective is to offer a platform where all the above stakeholders and key maritime players converge regularly to exchange and share current ideas in the industry.

Andre Ciseau, the Secretary-General of the association said: “Our participation to the African Tourism Board will offer the two associations opportunity to interact and share best practices with an aim of growing and developing Africa continent.

African Tourism Board Chairman Juergen Steinmetz said. “The Port Management Association joining African Tourism Board is an important milestone for our your board and opens the door to expand our horizon of cooperation. We welcome PMAESA to the African Tourism Board.”

Kenya Ports Authority

Overview Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is a state corporation under the Ministry of Transport with the responsibility to “maintain, operate, improve and regulate all scheduled seaports” along the Kenyan coastline including principally Port of Mombasa and other smaller ports including Lamu, Malindi, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Kiunga, Shimoni, Funzi and Vanga. It is also responsible for the…Read More

Tanzania Ports Authority

Overview The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) presently owns Dar es salaam, Tanga, Mtwara Ports and all lake ports in Tanzania. Tanzania Ports Authority was established on 15th April 2005 following the repeal of THA Act No. 12/77 and enactment of TPA Act No. 17/2004. To establish and coordinate system of Harbours. TPA is mandated to:…Read More

Maputo Port Development Company

Overview Maputo Port Development Company (Port Maputo) is a national private company, which results from the partnership between the Mozambican Railway Company (Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique), Grindrod and DP World. On 15 April 2003 Port Maputo was given the concession of Maputo’s Port for a period of 15 years, with an extension option of…Read More

Mauritius Ports Authority

Overview Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) was setup under the Ports Act 1998. MPA’ s primary objective is to be the sole national ports authority to regulate and control the port sector and provide marine services. Chief Executive Officer Mr Shekur Suntah Total Cargo Throughput 2012: 7,075,186 Tons Total Container Traffic 2012: 417,467 TEUs Port Tariffs…Read More

Ministry of Works and Transport of the Republic of Uganda

Overview The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) of the Republic of Uganda is a Government institution mandated to: Plan, develop and maintain an economic, efficient and effective transport infrastructure; Plan, develop and maintain economic, efficient and effective transport services by road, rail, water, air and pipeline; Manage Public works including government structures and; Promote good standards…Read More

Namibian Ports Authority

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), operating as the National Port Authority in Namibia since 1994, manages the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz. The Port of Walvis Bay is situated at the west Coast of Africa and provides an easier and much faster transit route between Southern Africa, Europe and the Americas….Read More

Port de Djibouti

Overview The Port of Djibouti is located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, at the intersection of major international shipping lanes connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. The port is a minimal deviation from the principal East-West trade route and provides a secure regional hub for transhipment and relay of goods. Since 1998, the…Read More

Sea Ports Corporation

Sea Ports Corporation (SPC) is an independent state corporation of Sudan that governs, constructs and maintains the ports, harbors and lighthouses of Sudan. The company was founded in 1974 by the government of Sudan to be the national port operator and port authority. SPC operates and manages the following ports of Sudan: Port Sudan Al…Read More

Transnet National Ports Authority

Overview Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is a division of Transnet Limited and is mandated to control and manage all seven commercial ports on the 2954km South African coastline. Situated at the tip of the African Continent, the South African ports are ideally situated to serve both the eastern and western seaboards. Transnet National Ports…Read More

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from the African region.

For more information and to become a member visit www.africantourismboard.com 

MEDIA CONTACT:

TravelMarketingNetwork

954 Lexington Ave. #1037

New York, NY 10021 USA

PH: (+1) 718-374-6816

[email protected]   

Moscow selected to host annual GSMA Mobile 360 Series event

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Eurasia conference, a regional event held as part of the activities of GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association), will be held in Moscow, October 8-9 2019.

The decision to host the event in Moscow was adopted as a result of an active work of the Russian Convention Bureau which provided the proposal for venues, and organized an inspection visit for representatives of the international association.

The event will be held in Moscow for the second time, following the successful launch in 2018 which gathered over 600 attendees from 21 countries and 52% were Director-level and above.

In 2019, the conference and exhibition will bring together over 600 policymakers, regulatory authorities, international organisations, Mobile Network Operators, mobile technology solution providers and broader ICT ecosystem players from Russia, the CIS region and the international market leaders in 5G technology. The event will be held at the Lotte Hotel Moscow.

Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, said: “The sphere of mobile and high technologies plays a key role in stimulating economic growth, attracting foreign investments and increasing global competitiveness through development of science and technology. Adding more industries to the list of events organized by the Russian Convention Bureau will not only facilitate the development of corresponding areas of the real economy sector but also help create the image of the country on the international arena as one of the most meaningful players on the market of the event industry.”

Alexey Kalachev, Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, said: “We use various tools of working with international associations as we work to attract various business events to Russia. We are ready to offer universal and customized solutions that will correspond to the needs and expectations of conference organizers of various scale in different industries.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Destination Florence CVB partners with City of Florence for international tourism promotion

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Destination Florence CVB is the new official partner of the City of Florence to promote the destination and better the quality of tourism.

The Florence Municipality, The Florentine Chamber of Commerce and The University of Florence signed an agreement to outline new and effective strategies in the tourism field, relying on the governence of tourism and the ability to directly foster agreements between institutions and individuals, while defining and clarifying the roles of various on-site actors.

The agreement is dedicated specifically to the MICE tourism and to better the quality of tourism in all the Florenctine territories and it has the aim of choosing a partner to develop activities and strategies.

Thanks to the winning of a competition notice, Destination Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau has been selected as the unique partner of the City of Florence and its partners to promote the destination all over the world and acquire more conferences and events.

To develop the activities, the Municipality of Florence allocated 320.000 Euros per year for a total period of three years, to be renewed for two more years.

Destination Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau has been operating for over 20 years as a destination agency to attract large events, congresses, international marriages, and individual tourists. It represents a comprehensive outlet for tourism thanks to more than 300 partners, a network that makes it possible to have a synchronized bond with the territory and the operators functioning within, strengthened by signed agreements with trade associations of reference.

The Ministry of Tourism of the city of Florence, Cecilia Del Re, said “We are very proud to have selected a unique partner for the promotion of the city. Florence is a unique city to host conferences and events also thanks to the new tramvia, the huge renovation of our congress centre and the future major enlargment of our airport”.

Destination Florence CVB presented a project to better the tourism within the city of Florence thanks to specific activities and with two main goals: acquire more conferences and events and attract a qualified tourism.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:

– Increase the number of winning bid and conferences to be held in the city
– Presence at primary Fairs and Events of the sector (ILTM Cannes, ATM Dubai…)
– Augment number of tourists with a qualified profile and high spending capacity
– Increase the average duration of stay within the territory
– Expand and diversify the range of services, products, and experiences
– Qualitatively enhance the image of Florence worldwide
– Promote qualified and certified tourist services in the city, including the greater metropolitan area, to include lesser-known concepts of great touristic value

Carlotta Ferrari, Director of Destination Florence CVB said: “Florence is one of the most attractive destination of the world in fact it is in the top five cities to host conferences and events. We will continue to promote Florence to acquire more conferences and events each year.”

“Also, thanks to the Destination Florence project, we will develop and promote tourism offerings, proposing a benchmark for a single, potential national model. We are working with the most innovative technology as our new chat bot that we will presented in the next months and we are also opening our official account on WeChat to promote Florence in the Chinese market.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum: Next stop Durban

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Themed “Stimulating intra-Africa Travel through thought leadership,” the 2019 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) is the only Pan-African public-private tourism leadership dialogue platform that is convened, led, and hosted by Africans in Africa. The African Tourism Board is a strategic partner for the event.

The 2019 ATLF and Awards will be hosted by Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau in Durban, under the auspices of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from August 29-30, 2019. It is convened by African Tourism Partners with the support of its key strategic partners including BDO South Africa, NEPAD, Africa Travel Associations (ATA) and Voyages Afriq.

According to Mr. Sihle Zikalala, Provincial Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal, gatherings like ATLF allow thought leaders in Africa to bring into the limelight exceptional industry developments and inspiring stakeholders who work hard to build a sustainable African travel and tourism industry.

“As the proud host of ATLF 2019, we look forward to welcoming all stakeholders from across the continent and the rest of the world, not only this innovative event but, also to experience what South Africa and our beautiful Province offer the world. ATLF is an African Project that we must all be part of and support,” says Mr. Zikalala.

The 2018 ATLF and Award edition was held in Accra in Ghana. It was hosted by the Government of Ghana through Ghana Tourism Authority and its parent Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This was attended by Tourism Ministers as well as over 500 public and private sector executives. These included representatives of UNWTO, NEPAD, Diplomatic Corps, Directors-General, global hotel brands, travel management companies, associations, regional executives of airlines, tour operators, educational institutions, researchers and many other industry professionals.

Kwakye Donkor, Africa Tourism Partners’ (ATP) CEO congratulates KwaZulu-Natal Province for winning the bid to host the 2019 ATLF and Awards. “The Provincial Leadership has truly exemplified true values of thought leadership by aiming to bring together industry leaders in Africa to Durban, to once again advance their commitment to promote intra-Africa travel, dialogue and recognize change-makers in Africa’s tourism development as a collective,” says Donkor.

Among the key focus areas of dialogue during the 2019 ATLF and Awards are:

  • The present and future imperatives of Visa Openness, E-visas and Air Connectivity
  • Outlook on the impact Business and MICE Tourism on national economies
  • What it takes for Africa to harness the multi-level Chinese outbound travel market
  • How to embrace and optimize disruptive technological innovation for intra-Africa travel
  • Delivering critical travel and tourism infrastructure with Development Finance Institutions
  • Spotlight on wildlife and biodiversity conservation as strategic tourism assets in Africa
  • Skills Development and Capacity Building across the sector value chain and more
  • Practicalities of Measuring the Return on Destination Marketing Investment

The Africa Tourism Leadership Awards recognizes the best African travel and tourism industry change-makers and innovators. For strategic partnerships, attendance or more information, please contact Ms. Nozipho Dlamini at: [email protected] and +27 81303 7030.

Travel News | eTurboNews