Win, Win Long a magnet for intellectual achievers, Boston is becoming a draw for high-tech meetings by forging connections between the meetings industry and local academic and business resources.
For example, a contract between the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority in Boston and the PAX East gaming conference, at left, includes an annual donation by PAX East to the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute at Becker College.
priorities and business strengths, Bolinger said. Each confer- ence is different, but the MCVB can apply for local grants or tap into services available from local government agencies. Some meetings make local connections with experts who are superstars in their fields, such as AIDS scientist Sharon Lewin, an infectious-diseases researcher at Burnet Institute in Melbourne, who is known not only for her discoveries about the HIV/AIDS virus, but for her push for a cure. Lewin will serve as the local co-chair of the 20th International AIDS Conference (IAC), to be held in Melbourne in 2014. The MCVB also is in frequent contact with Dean Mor-
ris, the head of operations for the Australian Synchroton, a football-field–sized machine that moves high-energy electrons at nearly the speed of light, allowing researchers to study molecular structures. Joint efforts with synchrotron scientists in other countries have resulted in five scientific meetings scheduled to come to Melbourne between Novem- ber 2013 and October 2015. In the coming years, Melbourne will host numerous other
high-profile international science meetings, including the World Diabetes Congress, the World Congress of Cardiology, and the World Cancer Congress. Such meetings bring signifi- cant benefits well beyond the economic impact of business travelers, Bolinger said, including raising the profile of local institutions and putting the spotlight on local research. In emerging destinations, the meetings infrastructure
often is developing alongside modern knowledge-based eco- nomic assets. When Ernesto Orillac, vice-minister of tourism in Panama, lists his country’s meetings assets, for example, he includes its accessibility, many new international hotels,
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Tangible Benefits Calculating the impact of meetings, including knowledge transfer, beyond the money spent directly by meeting organizers and attendees is a field of research that is “still in its infancy,” said Martin Sirk, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). But there are several practical — and measurable — benefits that come from tapping into local intellectual and business resources. The following list was suggested by Laura d’Elsa, the regional director for USA/Canada for the German Convention Bureau:
Financial aid and sponsorships Many CVBs can steer planners to educational and other grants, as well as industries that may be willing to sponsor meeting activities.
Keynote speakers Local institutions and businesses can offer experts who are willing to speak at meetings.
Attendees Planners can boost attendance by making contact with relevant local professional, academic, and business communities.
Program content Local institutions or groups with shared interests may be willing to partner with meeting organizers to create joint sessions or forums.
Site inspections Tours and talks can be arranged at local facilities that dovetail with attendee interests.