We all know meetings have to evolve… but no one knows really how. This project, which aims to gather all energies from our industry to define what the future is like, is gathering steam. Fast Future Research announced the initial line up of sponsors, expert contributors and association thought partners for this study.

The project has also launched a TrendWiki powered by Data Rangers, with which anyone can enter their own views on the ideas, trends and issues that will shape the future of events. Full details can be found on the project website at www.convention-2020.com.

The founding sponsors for the study are ICCA, IMEX and Fast Future Research. The first platinum sponsors are Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Qatar National Convention Centre, The Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Conference Centre London, Visit London and BestCities Global Alliance (Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapore and Vancouver). Kenes are the first gold sponsor.

The key players from our industry that have agreed to become expert contributors to the study are Corbin Ball, Jon Bradshaw, Terri Breining, Professor Luca Favetta, Trevor Foley, Professor Joe Goldblatt, Susan Goldstein, Sally Greenhill, Elling Hamso, Laurent Haug, Paul Kennedy, Gerd Leonhard, Arnaldo Nardone, Dan Parks, Rebecca Rolfes, Susan Sarfati, Amy Spatrisano, Edgar Valdmanis, Maarten Vanneste, Professor Ian Yeoman and Cliff Wallace. In addition, three associations have become ‘thought partners’ – the National University of Singapore Society, the Norwegian Computer Society and the Pacific Asia Travel Association.