Aside from virtually guaranteeing a chorus of oohs and aahs among group members, European meet- ings pose another perk. In many
cases, you’ll be refunded the value- added tax, or VAT. But in this, as in all areas of event planning, forewarned is forearmed. BY ANNA HUDDLESTON
W 24
HEN SELECTING A NEW INTERNATIONAL site for his events, Philip Arbuckle, association and conference manager with MeetingTrack
Inc., looks for a winning combination of a unique destination experience and inspiring business ideas. “My clients enjoy meet- ings abroad because they like getting a different perspective and can spot trends in other markets that are heading their way,” he says. “And in many cases they become energized when they step outside of their home territory and engage with their peers from other countries.” European destinations can be a gem when it comes to event planning thanks to their cultural and historic appeal as well as developed infrastructure and proven dedication to the meeting and tourism industries.