Piers Bearne, chairman and co-founder of Global Transport Forum and Global Financial Conferences, has spoken about the recent convergence of large scale events (LSEs) and exhibitions ahead of the Conference Summit 2013.
With over eighteen years’ experience in the conference and exhibition industry, Bearne drew attention to the recent change in the conference world commenting “one event in twenty has a real exhibition component” while “in the exhibition world, nearly all shows have curated content.”
The former European managing director of Terrapinn focused on this development as he discusses the integration of content-led events and exhibitions; a key topic under debate at this year’s Conference Summit, to be held on 6 December at etc.venues’ Dexter House, London, where Bearne will act as a moderator.
Looking towards the future of conferences, Bearne notes that “this convergence is still very new” but emphasizes this movement of exhibitions towards LSEs poses a threat to conference companies. However, such a change should be embraced, as he warns “those who artificially stop their LSEs from evolving into the new model will remain in the ‘boom and bust’ cycle and, ultimately, be outcompeted by exhibition, digital and media companies.”
Piers will be joined by other industry experts at the Conference Summit, including: Katherine Kreuter, head of event productions and content at Procurement Leaders – Global Intelligence Network; Ben Wood, event marketing, data insight & customer service director at Incisive Media; and Jonathan Dewe, formerly head of conferences at Economist.
To see the full interview with Piers Bearne, please click here.
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