#ECMGraz2020
HELLO DLO. DESTINATION LEARNING ORGANISATION: REPURPOSE AND RESKILL
For years now, we’ve talked about the shift from destination marketing to management. Discussed strategies, reasons and trends to support that shift in focus. Related that shift to digital trends of communication, innovation and then, later, overtourism. But perhaps, in our eager discussions and new strategic claims, we have forgotten to ask important questions like: what skills does this shift require? Are the DMOs currently staffed to manage – or better yet lead – destinations? Do you find that you yourself have future ready skills to address the challenges ahead for tourism and destinations? Looking around at your team and your colleagues, do they? And who are the best to learn from – in tourism or elsewhere?
Are you leaning back now, thinking: “Easy now, I got this! I’ve been doing this for the past 5 – 10 – 15 – 20 years, so I’ve seen it all and I know what I need to know”? Then, good for you. That’s probably more or less the same kind of confidence the people at Blockbuster, Kodak, Nokia and the yellow cabs of NYC armed themselves with as they encountered the newcomers from Netflix, new digital cameras, Apple’s iPhone and Uber.
Shifting from marketing to management is more than a strategic claim or slight refocus of your budgets. You can choose to either lean back – and very soon, risk becoming a relic of the past – or you can lean into the opportunities as they come and stay relevant!
This is your personal invitation to ECM Spring Conference in Graz March 11 – 14th 2020. A conference, where you will not be leaning back, but get your hands dirty and your heads spinning. Where you can review the future-readiness of your own skills and those of your team and find inspiration to the journey to become a real DLO – a destination organization that leads the urban habitat through continuous learning.
We take a deep dive into transformational leadership as well as up- and re-skilling with industry frontrunners, lead destinations and ECM knowledge partners. We will talk about co-creation and involvement, idea generation, fundraising, advocacy, innovation facilitation, stakeholder management, community engagement, integrated urban planning and how to go from management to leadership.
This, and much more, will happen in Graz, Austria, famous not only for its pumpkinseed oil, but also for one of Europe’s oldest universities, Graz University founded 1585, its UNESCO world heritage city centre and for its green and forested setting in the valley of river Mur. Graz is Austria, but has a lot of Slovenia, some of Germany, doses of Hungary and a little of a lot of other places as well. Graz is distinctly Europe. As is ECM.
See you in Graz!
Only at World Travel Market Africa can you simultaneously generate sales leads, launch new products, enter new markets, raise brand awareness, size up your competition, conduct market research, command press attention and develop and maintain relationships.
ECM will be present at IMEX, May 12-14, 2020
Visit us to learn about:
- ECM conferences
- ECM activities
- ECM Summer School
- ECM Academy
- ECM Meetings Statistics Report
- … and much more!
Since 2003, the Policy Forum (formerly Politicians Forum) at IMEX has provided the only high-level event to bring together industry leaders with representatives of governments and government agencies. Government understanding and support is critical to the advancement of the meetings and events industry.
The Forum has evolved over the past 15+ years and hosts not just politicians but a wide variety of policy makers and government influencers. We bring together the meetings world and public policy makers with the aim to influence policy, rather than influence politicians.
The IMEX Policy Forum is built around five elements: Strategy; Advocacy; Development; Engagement; Enlightenment. The overarching aim of the Forum is to act as a catalyst and provide a collaborative global discussion platform critical to the creation of policy that directly benefits our industry.
#ECMPoznan2020
POWERED BY CULTURE
FIRST, A PROPOSITION FOR YOU: Perhaps it is time we, as destinations, stop referring to certain groups of tourists as the cultural tourists as opposed to other groups of tourists. Maybe it is time to stop talking of culture as the fun side-event, as the offering outside meeting rooms or even as something that should be experienced in museums or art exhibitions.
As destinations, we should know better; culture is bigger than tourism. We know that tourists, whether for business or leisure, are not attracted by a simple offering of hotel room availability. What really matters is the luring promise of a distinct experience, of something that differs from the familiar and everyday. It is the mosaic of cultural narratives, ideas, promises, performances, arts and politics that empower our destinations with cultural attraction.
Culture is what tips the choice between one destination or another. It’s what shapes cities and destinations, forms urban identity and enforces reputative quality. Culture is our competitive advantage and the basis of a city’s global position of influence and power. From countries as the focus of Joseph Nye’s original concept of soft power, describing a country’s ability to influence others through persuasion, ideas and cultural attraction, to cities in focus as the core urban hubs of soft power through concentration of culture. A concentration, which in turn shapes distinct urban identity and stages the urban experience.
Culture in all its aspects is what gives your city a hard punch! Airports, cruise terminals, high rises and amusement parks may be the hardware to frame it, but culture fills it with experiential matter and meaning. Intangible by nature, the culture of a city can be manifested by empowering the city’s cultural scene, the arts, the innovative and creative communities.
So, this is your personal invitation to ECM Summer Conference in Poznan 2020, where we will unfold the soft power of cities as a hard core competitive factor in creating unique visitor experiences, in generating value beyond the city’s hardware, in creating legacy and building global influence, in sustaining community and collective identity.
We will take on the potential and challenge of the mutual relation between culture and tourism. We will seek inspiration and ideas when speakers of leading museums, global brands and experience economy experts share their take on why culture is more than an optional and time-limited amusement. Be prepared as we discuss how conventions are powerful levers of cultural influence and how cultural heritage will – or will not – make your business.
Join us for serious business and serious fun, as we meet in Poznan, a mix of historical and modern culture, where academia meets technology, industry, art and education. Poznan is the historical capital of the Greater Poland region, a welcoming city waiting to leave its cultural soft power mark on YOU as a very special guest.
City Fair is the event for European cities, destinations and suppliers to showcase all of their tourism products to the international travel trade in a productive business environment.
Join over 150 European cities, destinations and their partners, showcasing their tourism offering to over 100 city break product developers & buyers from international markets.
City Fair is a 3-day event organised by ETOA and ECM that includes a drinks reception and a full-day B2B workshop for product developers and contractors from global travel buyers that want to meet cities and destinations and source tourist product from all over Europe.
The 2020 programme includes:
- Welcome drinks reception on Sunday, June 14
- City Fair workshop on Monday, June 15
Who is it for?
City tourist boards and suppliers (such as hotels and attractions)
European organisations such as:
- Tourist boards
- Tourist offices
- DMOs
- City Marketing Organisations
- And other tourism service providers
Participate as an exhibitor to gain competitive advantage for your destination, and to meet with operators, whose business represents both high volume and niche sectors from Europe and all major long-haul markets.
What kind of buyers you could meet?
Product developers and contractors from:
- Tour Operators
- Wholesalers
- OTAs
- Other intermediaries
Why is City Fair beneficial for you?
- Take part in 3 events: Reception + Workshop + Conference
- A personalised agenda of one-to-one appointments in a highly efficient 1-day B2B workshop
- Discover what’s new in different European destinations
- Wide variety of well established companies, from budget through luxury
- Connect with business development managers and decision-makers
- Substantial cost and time savings on networking & exhibition fees
Special rates for ECM members, subscribe before March 18!
ECM (European Cities Marketing) – Flavie Baudot – flavie@europeancitiesmarketing.com
The 34th ECM Summer School will be held in Turin, Italy, from August 22-26, 2020.
The ECM Summer School is an unmissable learning opportunity for all professionals working in Convention Bureaux, Tourist Offices, Congress Centres, Airlines, Hotels, DMCs, PCOs & Meeting Planners!
The aim is to equip professionals with the latest marketing tools and to help them to develop the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in conference, meetings and event management.
- Meet professional leaders of the industry
- Gain knowledge and skills for a successful career in the Meetings Industry
- Develop a network with new colleagues and peers from all over Europe
- Get tools to acquire clients in the Meetings Industry
- Gain CMP professional credits to acquire/confirm your CMP certification
The ECM Summer School qualifies for CMP certification and every student getting an ECM Summer School diploma also gets 20 Clock Hours for their overall CMP certification.
ECM: Strategic role of DMO reinforced at Summer School from Fred Productions Ltd. on Vimeo.
Capacity building in Bolzano from Fred Productions Ltd. on Vimeo.
What do they say about ECM Summer School…
“I learned a great deal about the MICE-sector and have now better insights on how to prepare for bids and RFP’s. I had the opportunity to ask questions to experienced faculty and to peers. Discussing dilemma’s and difficulties that we encounter during our daily job, sharing ideas and solutions. And most of all it was an amazing and valuable networking experience!” Sophie Fransen, Project Assistant, Event Masters (Belgium)
“I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity. It gave me insight into best-practices shared amongst my European colleagues, allowed for the opportunity of networking and for the ability to put together the puzzle pieces being new to the industry. It was an excellent platform to learn about challenges faced (some which are not unique to our country), and to create contacts and share ‘our stories’. All part of the vision to #meet #share #grow. This experience was life impacting for someone like me coming from the Behavioural Sciences background. I now believe that the I have a bigger role to play by influencing the mindsets of people toward creating more awareness and inevitably increasing sales in the business events industry.” Veruschka Rugbeer, Sales Officer, South African Tourism
“ECM Summer School is a one in a lifetime opportunity – not only to widen your knowledge but also to meet so many great people from the meetings industry all around the world. Everyone should take their chance and attend the next Summer School – you won’t regret it!” Rahel Bätschmann, Project Manager Convention Bureau, Zürich Tourism.
Should you have any additional questions, please contact ECM Head Office.
MODUL University Vienna will host two major events regarding tourism on September 10-11, 2020: 16th TourMIS Users’ Workshop and International Seminar.
Both events are directed toward managers, academics, as well as consultants and representatives of governments and international organizations dealing with tourism. Participants are invited to register for both days or can choose to participate in just one event.
Registrations will open in Summer 2020.
Check the 2019 edition’s programme:
The 16th TourMIS Users’ Workshop and International Seminar is organised by the European Cities Marketing, the European Travel Commission & MODUL University Vienna.
Smart Monday, powered by MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and supported by IMEX’s association partners, kicks off IMEX America week giving attendees a full day of essential education conveniently located all in one place. As IMEX’s strategic partner and premier education provider MPI is bringing more than 30 concurrent and deep dive education sessions to Las Vegas—giving attendees the clock hours they need for CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification or recertification.
IMEX America sets the pace for doing business on an international scale. Increasing in size and scope annually, this event features the largest Hosted Buyer Program in North America and attracts thousands of buyers and exhibitors from the U.S. and around the world. The energy at IMEX America is everywhere, connecting everyone with key players, generating innovative ideas and driving business with the force of global opportunities. Plug into the power source at IMEX America: the pulse of the meetings industry.
#ECMTIC2020
Join us for the 7th ECM TIC Expert Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held in Girona on October 1-2, 2020.
Registrations will open in Spring 2020!
European Cities Marketing, through its TIC Knowledge Group, organises every year an Expert Meeting for Tourist Information Centres managers and staff exclusively, whether they are ECM members or not.
This event will provide you with a unique opportunity:
- to meet and network with colleagues working in Tourist Information Centres all across Europe,
- to share knowledge and best practice with other destinations to stay ahead of the latest market’s trends,
- and to grow your business as well as strengthen your professional expertise.
The TIC Expert Meeting offers a mix of incentive and exchange opportunities for all attendees. This is why the diversity of participants is of great importance. This event is for managers and TIC front office professionals coming from small and large cities and working for either public or private tourist information organisations – whether they are ECM members or not.
Please note:
- The attendance is limited to 90 persons, with a maximum of 2 delegates per city!
- Lunches and dinner included
- Your participation fee does not cover accommodation or transport
The aim of the meeting is of course to get to know your European colleagues, to share knowledge with them but most of all, we want you to have fun and leave full of inspiration and with a bunch of new friends.
We are looking forward to welcoming you for this seventh edition!
#ECMCC2020
Join us for the 9th ECM City Cards Expert Meeting. Next meeting will be held in Lisbon on October 29-30, 2020.
Registrations will open in Spring 2020.
Our broad approach will include presentations and discussions on latest product developments, successful partnerships, innovating marketing strategies and much more.
Our lunch-to-lunch event provides you with a unique opportunity:
- to meet and network with European colleagues managing city cards schemes,
- to share knowledge and insights to stay ahead of the latest market trends & anticipate customers’ needs,
- and to grow your business as well as strengthen your professional expertise.
This event is open to ECM members only, specifically to tourism professionals working on city cards schemes (Product Managers, Project Leaders, Marketing Managers…) who are looking to improve – but also share – their knowledge with other participants.
Conditions:
- The participants’ city must be an existing ECM member and already be running a city card scheme.
- Participants themselves must be directly working on or managing an established city card scheme.
- For City Cards Project 2020 members, participation is free for the first delegate. Extra delegates will be charged a 100 EUR participation fee, with a maximum of 2 delegates per city in total.
- For ECM members who are not part of the City Cards Project 2020, the attendance is limited to 1 person per city with a 190 EUR participation fee.
Please note:
- Lunches on October 29 and 30, dinner on October 29, as well as coffee breaks are included.
- The attendance is limited to 60 people!
- Your participation fee does not cover accommodation or transport.
For more information about the City Cards Project, please contact ECM Head Office.
ECM will be present at IMEX, May 18-20, 2021
Visit us to learn about:
- ECM conferences
- ECM activities
- ECM Summer School
- ECM Academy
- ECM Meetings Statistics Report
- … and much more!
Smart Monday, powered by MPI (Meeting Professionals International) and supported by IMEX’s association partners, kicks off IMEX America week giving attendees a full day of essential education conveniently located all in one place. As IMEX’s strategic partner and premier education provider MPI is bringing more than 30 concurrent and deep dive education sessions to Las Vegas—giving attendees the clock hours they need for CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification or recertification.
IMEX America sets the pace for doing business on an international scale. Increasing in size and scope annually, this event features the largest Hosted Buyer Program in North America and attracts thousands of buyers and exhibitors from the U.S. and around the world. The energy at IMEX America is everywhere, connecting everyone with key players, generating innovative ideas and driving business with the force of global opportunities. Plug into the power source at IMEX America: the pulse of the meetings industry.