Widespread anti-WFH propaganda has been reported in the media, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2022. Recently, many tech companies have required their employees to spend more days working in the office. This includes companies that had previously adopted a remote work policy but are now expecting their staff to be present on-site for at least a portion of the week. This is being met with resistance by some workers who have enjoyed the flexibility offered by the remote working. Interestingly, employers appear to be winning the battle, as the number of completely remote positions advertised on job boards such as LinkedIn and Indeed has decreased significantly.

During the early phases of the COVID-19 epidemic, there was an extensive transition to working from home. Opportunities for remote working boost satisfaction at work, some reports showed. According to Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work study, 91% of poll participants preferred working remotely, with freedom being the top benefit. Furthermore, in 2022, 25,000 employees from different sectors were asked by McKinsey about their remote job experience. The third reason individuals look for new employment, behind improved pay per hour and professional possibilities, is a desire for flexible employment settings.

A Flexjobs study found that workers could save as much as $12,000 annually by doing online work. Transportation costs like gasoline and maintenance can be reduced, as can the costs of purchasing business attire and dining at upscale places.

The rise of online work and the digital nomad culture has prompted serious reconsideration of the conventional office job and its potential benefits to individual happiness and freedom. 93% of those who work from home said they were happier in their jobs, and 90% said they were more productive in the Safetywing Research. In addition, 61% said they felt less stressed, and 44% said their emotional health had improved.

The lifestyle of digital nomads has been on the rise for years. Then, after the outbreak, this new working method became much more popular. According to a recent report by Qualtrics, 80% of employees seeking a new position rated the ability to reside anywhere as extremely essential.

Another example is Spotify, which promotes the notion that “work is not a place, but something you do.” Their work-from-anywhere model enables employees to choose where and how they’ll work within specified geographic parameters. If a position is situated in Sweden, for instance, the employee may be permitted to work remotely in Europe.

In response to the increase in remote work, countries such as Estonia, Barbados, and Portugal have implemented digital nomad visas, permitting foreign remote employees to reside and work legally for extended periods in these countries.

Concerns regarding productivity, collaboration, and the overall business operations were among the objections to working remotely. According to the findings of a survey of business executives that was carried out in 2020 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), 78% of respondents believed that distant culture would impact productivity. This notion perhaps explains why some employers are therefore against working remotely.

This has led to a dramatic drop in available remote work positions. This newest change in the employer-employee power relationship can be seen in the falling number of telecommuting job postings. After months of frantically searching for new talent, businesses are demonstrating that they can be more selective in their hiring.

The rapid rate of hiring and salary increase experienced throughout most of 2022 has cooled off. Although many formerly unemployed tech and non-tech employees are now working again, the time it takes to locate a new position is longer than it was in the spring. Since the beginning of 2023, remote working listings on jobsites have decreased by as much as 12%, according to a number of reports.

More than two-thirds of employers thought their workers engaged in high-value work for up to three hours per day in a remote setting, which is more than twice what workers thought they did. More than half agreed that making investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other automation would increase productivity in a hybrid workforce. However, the fact that a comparable percentage office collaboration was essential to the success of their organisations in the future indicated a lack of readiness for new working practices.

Employers may be shifting toward hybrid roles in order to reap the benefits of remote work. The Harvard Business Review found that compared to workers in either completely distant or in-office positions, those in the hybrid workplaces reported greater levels of employment happiness and productivity.

The new hybrid working model is excellent news for the majority of employees who reside relatively close to their workplace but prefer to work remotely at least occasionally.

However, it may imply that opportunities for completely remote digital nomads are going to continuously decrease. Currently, many businesses require regular facetime from employees. And as these companies attempt to use employees’ physical presence to revitalise company cultures and foster creativity in the aftermath of the pandemic, will digital nomad employees become less desirable?

Sharing her perspectives on the issue, an immigration expert, Victoria Idia, stated that with over 50 countries issuing the digital nomad route and more in the process of doing so, the remote culture war for now will not limit or stop the movement.

“The fact that there are many countries offering this type of visa gives more choice for those of a working age who do not want to be tied down to traditional working cultures or roles. There is no doubt that there are more diverse ways of obtaining income which means individuals do not have to be in an office at all, such as those whose income is derived from social media platforms.”

Adapting to the hybrid model may present challenges for digital nomads, particularly regarding travel and visa restrictions. Some countries, such as Estonia and Barbados, have already introduced digital nomad visas that allow remote workers to stay for extended periods. As the hybrid work model becomes more prevalent, it is possible that countries may revise their visa programs to accommodate this new work arrangement, perhaps offering visas that allow for a mix of remote and in-office work.

Idia who is a casework performance manager for Immigration Advice Service, a UK based firm that specialises in immigration law, said given the advantages digital nomad offer, “it is more likely that global immigration policies will be adapted to this new way of work especially as countries see the financial benefits and boost it brings to their economies.

Olusegun Akinfenwa writes for Immigration Advice Service, a leading team of legal professionals that specialise in immigration law and represents businesses and individuals across the UK and globally.

The article Remote culture war and the digital nomadism movement first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Development of business travel in German incoming tourism

The number of international business trips to Germany more than doubled from 5 to 11 million in 2022 compared to the previous year. This means that the business travel segment is recording growth again for the first time after two years of Covid-19-related decline, reaching around 70% of the record level from the pre-crisis year 2019.

Compared to its international competition, Germany has further expanded its position as the number one business travel destination for Europeans with 9.2 million business trips and leads the ranking by a clear margin over France (4 million business trips) and Spain (2.9 million). Within the business travel market, the MICE segment is gaining in importance post-Covid. 60% of business trips from Europe to Germany in 2022 were promotable business trips, i.e., travel related to trade fairs and MICE. With 67 %, this share was even higher for business trips from overseas markets. At the same time, the recovery of promotable business trips is, at 74%, significantly higher than that of classic business trips.

Petra Hedorfer, chairwoman of the GNTB’s executive board: “The development of this market segment is extremely important for us, as the share of business travel in German incoming tourism from Europe is 20%, i.e., almost twice the European average (11%). Business travellers from overseas even reach a share of 33%. In order to continue to be a part of this recovering market in the future, we need to continuously adapt to the changing market demands as they occur in the course of the ecological transformation: More than half of event organisers state in the Meeting & EventBarometer that their clients expect sustainability to be considered. Many players in German tourism have adapted to these challenges: Almost two-thirds of supplier companies have already aligned parts of their offer portfolio with sustainability in mind, and around one-fifth consider sustainability in their entire supply chain. As the most important reasons for this, the respondents cite on the one hand the saving of resources and on the other hand client expectations , which is important evidence of how ecological transformation, service quality and business success are linked.”

Recovery of German meeting and congress market

The development of the German event market in 2022 underlines its transformative power in the face of multiple challenges as well as the ongoing relevance of business events in the communication mix of organisations. In 2022, the real volume of in-person events (in-person only and hybrid events) returned to 48.5% of the 2019 level. The recovery of the market is emerging with the end of the Covid-19 measures from the beginning of the second quarter until the end of 2022. During this period, event volumes return to 66% of pre-pandemic levels.

The number of in-person event attendees amounts to 172 million. Combined with in-person attendees of hybrid events, this figure is as high as 184 million. This means an increase of 246% in the number of in-person event attendance (2021: 50 million). In addition to in-person attendees, there were 28.5 million online attendees in hybrid events last year (2021: 36.3 million) and 53.4 million attendees in online events (2021: 327 million). While the number of online attendees declined, in-person events with digital elements (hybrid events) proved to be the driving force in the event market. In 2022, a total of 2.6 million events with a total of 266.4 million attendees took place in Germany across all event types (in-person, hybrid, digital).

Boost for role of business events as platforms for knowledge exchange

Business trips are increasing significantly compared to the previous year. Due to the lifting of Covid-19 regulations, congresses, meetings and seminars have become significantly larger (in relation to the number of attendees) in 2022 compared to the previous year. There was a strong shift towards larger events with 101 or more attendees and a correspondingly strong decline in very small events (up to 50 attendees). The need for in-person meetings has increased significantly and puts the relationship to digital and hybrid events into perspective.

“Business events are an essential tools for solving complex issues. People who come together in a professional context ensure knowledge transfer, form networks and thus provide the platforms for developing the answers to the big questions of our time. Particularly in an era of multiple, global challenges, they can support the necessary transformation processes and provide a stage for constructive dialogue on multiple levels and in diverse formats,” says Matthias Schultze, managing director of the GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.

The increase in business trips is also reflected in the numbers of international attendees. Their share in 2022 was 3.9% on average (2021: 2%). This means that although international demand is developing more modestly than the domestic market, there is a clear positive trend.

Sustainability increasingly in focus

The in-person attendees of hybrid events together with the attendees of in-person events only form a growing group of people who want to meet in person. These figures illustrate the need for a dual focus on face-to-face encounters and digital networking, which is confirmed in particular by the organisers surveyed with a view to market development in the coming years.

Particularly with regard to sustainability, the sensible use of digital tools is indispensable. In the current survey, the importance of sustainability is generally rated higher than in the last survey. Around one fifth of the supplier companies has already organised their supply chain sustainably throughout. The vast majority of suppliers surveyed are able to address various aspects of sustainability, while less than 10% of respondents are not actively engaging with the topic. For event organisers, sustainable event management has an importance in the upper range with an average rating of 7.1. Differentiated according to different aspects of sustainability at events, catering is just ahead of CO2 compensation and ahead of a certification system. Overall, sustainability is increasingly influencing corporate decisions and thus the entire event planning process.

Optimistic future forecast

Based on the turnover from 2022, the outlook for 2023 and 2024 is very positive. All suppliers (i.e., all types of event venues) expect a positive turnover development of around 20 % plus for the next two years. Event organisers confirm this positive outlook: 81% expect a good to very good booking situation in the coming months and anticipate budget growth of around 20% by 2023/24. These optimistic forecasts prove that the staging of events is once again in strong demand despite wide-ranging challenges.

Event market increasingly resilient to multiple challenges

Energy supply, inflation and price increases as well as staff shortages are the biggest challenges for the coming years. Among the most frequently mentioned consequences of the various challenges for suppliers are changes in how buildings are managed and greater price pressure from clients. For organisers, rising costs and budget cuts are among the most challenging consequences.

In addition, the demand for staff and skilled workers has increased compared to the previous year. The need for staff is most noticeable in conference hotels. Almost 70% of them state that they are looking for staff, which has an impact on the workload of existing employees. In order to counteract this situation, the focus is on diversity in teams as well as on the stronger promotion of women. Implementing flexible working time models is another step. “Addressing issues around diversity and equality are important approaches to solving the need for skilled staff and contribute to improving companies‘ competitiveness,” says Ilona Jarabek, president of the EVVC European Association of Event Centres.

Outlook

The results of the Meeting & Event Barometer 2022/23 show that the appeal of events is unbroken. In-person event attendance, which makes up the largest share of all attendees across all types of events, underlines the high relevance of in-person events as a communication tool for companies and organisations. Nevertheless, digital formats continue to be of great importance and will continue to play an important role in the communication mix in the future. Beyond the physical space, the digitalisation creates enormous opportunities to expand the reach of events and to include those who cannot or do not want to be present in person for a range of reasons.

Overall, the German meetings and congress market is resilient and fit for the future in the face of the current multiple challenges. In the future, business events will be characterised above all by short-term planning cycles, a higher influence of sustainability aspects as well as increased staff requirements. At the same time, these conditions create a considerable opportunity to drive new innovative solutions that are sustainable and future-proof.

The article Event market in Germany gradually recovering: Quantitative growth and ongoing development of offerings provide opportunities first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

“Gyder’s new, fully branded apps for event visitors not only improve the visitor experience but also increase revenue by up to 30% for event organisers through advertising and sponsorship” says Gyder CEO and Co-Founder Ben Pearce.

Gyder builds bespoke maps for events within a fully branded smartphone app, which is available for free to event attendees and audiences. The app, which runs on both iOS and Android, improves the visitor experience through a fully configurable, universal platform with functionality such as:

• Live mapping and wayfinding tools
• Comprehensive exhibitor directory
• Exhibitor offers
• Sponsorship and advertising across the whole platform
• Programme and itinerary creation

This year over 500,000 people will download Gyder apps at events including The Game Fair, The Great Yorkshire Show, The Northern Shooting Show, and many others.

“We want to give all organisers the ability to digitise their events quickly without the traditional problems of building an event app from scratch or the unsustainable and costly need to print programmes,” continues Ben Pearce. “Apps are often seen as an expensive nice to have, our mission is to change that perception. Instead, apps should be an integral part of any event, engaging the attendees and audience not just for the time they are onsite but for days before and after, perhaps even 365 days a year.”

Gyder’s platform and apps include a wide range of integrated sponsorship, advertising and offer options, allowing both the Gyder and organiser teams to identify and create revenue generating partnerships. These effectively move the app from an event cost to a source of income.

“Printed programmes can be environmentally unfriendly, have a high cost, and are often outdated and inaccurate due to print lead times. As a result, printed programme sales have declined, reducing revenue from sales, advertising and sponsorship. Event organisers, using Gyder, can reverse the trend to increase income while also helping the environment,” adds Ben Pearce.

Organisers can also benefit from significant amounts of anonymised live and post event data, helping them better understand audience and attendee behaviour, allowing them to improve future events.

Ben Pearce concludes: “The app has been created following in-depth research amongst attendees and organisers to ensure it is not just fit for purpose but also meets the needs of all event stakeholders. This includes extensive functionality without compromising individual privacy concerns, whilst generating new revenues and reducing an event’s environmental impact. Ultimately, our app is a tool to improve the event experience and create value for all.”

Gyder was set up in 2019 by Ben Pearce and Stuart Jacklin. The Gyder app is available in both the iOS and Android stores.

The article Gyder to increase revenues and improve attendee engagement through launch of bespoke branded apps first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Sunday, June 11, will see the grand opening of the event at Cubex for an amazing networking dinner, while Monday morning, June 12, will see the start of the show with pre-scheduled and matchmade meetings at the exhibition and one-to-one meeting areas. Tuesday, June 13, will see many more business introductions. Both days include much more than startups of cooperation: the program contains a huge variation with keynotes, coffee breaks, lunch, the end of the day reception, and lots of music by the genius Song Division. The Monday evening program will bring all participants to the newest jewel of Prague’s event venues, The Pilsner Urquell Experience.

“We are thrilled to host the Events Club Forum 2023 evening at Pilsner Urquell Experience, the new Prague Brand home, which tells the amazing story of the world’s first golden pilsner in a unique and immersive experience. Our guests will enjoy the best of Czech hospitality with an unforgettable experience.” said the venue’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Ondřej Veselý.

Alain Pallas, Managing Director at Europe Congress, stated: “We’re looking forward to this new edition of Events Club Forum. Having an event where you can choose the type of promotion that matches your strategy best and meet with your most likely next business partners is a key value. We have added plentiful new experiences for all participants, such as an extra networking dinner evening, and will still be able to present many surprises at the forum. We can’t wait to show it!”

Events Club Forum’s core partners are the Prague Congress Centre, AV Media, AIM Group, DZK, and seven leading Prague hotels: Marriott, Radisson, The Julius, Holiday Inn, Vienna House by Wyndham, Lindner, and the newly opened Almanac X. The main partner of the event is the Czech Convention Bureau, part of Czech Tourism.

“We are truly excited about hosting the second edition of the Events Club Forum this June in Prague. Last year, the event turned into a great success, and we are happy to take advantage of the opportunity to present our unique MICE offer or our destination again. We see great interest from all the participants—suppliers as well as buyers—and we hope that the combination of networking and education will make the event memorable for everyone. This year we are focusing more on the presentation of regional offers that will be visible not only during the event itself but also during the following ‘Fam-trips’.” Tereza Hofmanová, head of the Czech Convention Bureau, mentioned.

The article Events Club Forum 2023 opens on June 11th first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

“We’re excited to launch the Jet Membership Preferred Program, which is a great opportunity for private jet charter clients to experience the benefits of JetMembership.com’s advanced aircraft sourcing technology and exceptional client service,” said Noah Terry, Marketing Director. “We believe that our platform provides a unique and superior service, and we’re confident that once clients try us out, they’ll want to stay with us for the long term.”

Under the Jet Membership Preferred Program, new clients who are currently members of some of the industry’s leading competitors, including WheelsUp, NetJets, XO, VistaJet, Flexjet, and Sentient Jet will receive exclusive benefits.

Similar to how luxury automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW use conquest cash to attract drivers of competing vehicles, JetMembership.com’s Preferred Program is designed to offer an exclusive opportunity for clients currently subscribed to a competitive private jet membership program or fractional ownership program. By waiving the initiation fee and offering half-price membership for the first 12 months, they aim to challenge brand loyalty and encourage private jet charter clients to consider the benefits of their booking platform.

JetMembership.com’s iOS and Android mobile application and expert client advisors offer clients full transparency and ease of use when booking private jets, with access to thousands of aircraft worldwide, all at preferred rates for members. The platform is committed to providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for clients from start to finish, with expert advisors available every step of the way. Clients are not required to deposit any funds and can “pay as they fly,” thus putting no money at risk. This alleviates major consumer concerns, as many competitors charge hundreds of thousands upfront.

JetMembership.com is a private jet charter booking platform that combines state-of-the-art aircraft sourcing technology with expert client advisors, offering clients full transparency and ease of use when booking private jets. With access to thousands of aircraft worldwide, JetMembership.com is committed to providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for clients from start to finish. The platform is available on iOS and Android mobile devices, with expert advisors available every step of the way.

The article JetMembership.com announces Jet Membership Preferred Program for private jet charter clients first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

However, the rise of remote work was catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it is considered to be the main area to benefit the most from the pandemic. Statistics show that before the pandemic, only 5% of full-time employees worked directly from home. The figure is currently at 30% post-pandemic, and this figure varies across different industries and occupations. Today, physical location has become less involved in hiring, and people are now more comfortable living far from work centers.

Another reason remote work has gained much popularity is the wide availability of technological solutions and innovations that empower workers. Apart from the increased productivity and social distancing, there are other importance of remote work. One of the main reasons why it is important for businesses and employees is that it creates an opportunity for disabled professionals to get job offers. Also, the main focus of remote work is on the outcome rather than time, and this is key for the growth of businesses.

Advantages of remote work
The rise of remote work across the world was also triggered by the numerous advantages it offers. These advantages include the following:

Flexibility in work schedules and locations: Remote work offers more flexibility by allowing people to work from anywhere. This offers more freedom to the business and employees, making it easier for everyone to stretch beyond the conventional 9 to 5 working hours. In addition, remote work makes it easier for employees to hire from a larger pool of candidates.

Increased productivity and efficiency for remote workers: Statistics show that remote workers are more productive and stable when they work remotely compared to working in an office. This is due to the elimination of lengthy in-person meetings and long daily commutes.

Reduced overhead costs for business: Businesses that adopt remote working can rent smaller spaces to save money. They can go fully remote by adopting a cloud-based operation, which equally enhances cost savings. Basically, with remote work, businesses and employees can save money on office supplies, rent, and utilities.

Positive impact on the environment and reduction in carbon emissions: Remote work also positively impacts the environment, as it helps minimize carbon emissions from large power-generating devices used by businesses and even carbon emissions from vehicles. All of these are reduced as remote work encourages working from home.

Challenges of remote work
In addition to the advantages, it’s important to note that there are challenges associated with remote working. These challenges include:

Potential difficulties in communication and collaboration among remote teams: When employees are far and wide, effective collaboration and communication between team members become a bit difficult. This eventually results in the need to schedule too many meetings between managers and team members, and this can ultimately trigger frustration among employees.

Issues with work-life balance and potential for burnout: In some cases, work-life balance is an advantage of remote work. There is the possibility for remote work to overlap with home life and other personal areas as well. Even though it might everything might initially seem simple if care is not taken, they can become a burden requiring extra hours to complete.

Potential for isolation and lack of connection to the company culture: Remote workers that leave alone have a higher potential to feel isolated and lonely. This is due to the decreased level of interaction with the outside world.

Tools and techniques for successful remote work
Remote work is unlike in-office work, where colleagues are only a few steps away in the same building. In remote work, teams are spread across different time zones, states, and cities. With that, there’s a need to ensure the use of the right tools and techniques to maintain productivity and efficiency. Interestingly, there are many tools that are specially designed to drive success and improve business outcomes among remote employees. These tools include project management platforms and video conferencing and communication apps.

With the right tools and techniques, it becomes very easy to adopt the best practices for communication and collaboration among remote teams. This includes cloud collaboration, team messaging, video conferencing, data storage, employee engagement, and productivity enhancement. All of these practices can also help to foster a positive company culture for remote workers. However, there’s also a need for businesses to establish a remote work policy for employees.

Future of remote work
We can’t completely predict what the coming years will bring, but the currently steps taken by many organizations give an idea of what to expect in the future. More people are likely to take on remote jobs in the future, but not everyone will because there are many jobs that can be performed virtually. Examples of these jobs include those that involve personal contact or the operation of special machinery.

A main factor that helps to solidify the future of remote work is the growing number of emerging trends. Examples of these trends include hybrid work models and digital nomadism, widely applied by different businesses today. Businesses (casino online) now utilize these technologies to adapt to these emerging trends while offering more opportunities to attract and retain the best talents across the world.

Conclusion
Working remotely is now popular for its advantages, including flexibility in work schedules and locations, increased productivity and efficiency for remote workers, reduced overhead costs for businesses, positive impact on the environment, and reduced carbon emissions. However, there are also a few challenges associated with remote work, including issues with work-life balance and potential for burnout, difficulties in communication and collaboration among remote teams, and potential for isolation and lack of connection to the company culture.

Despite these challenges, the future of remote work holds great promise, as there are multiple emerging trends that make remote work seamless. This also includes newer technological innovations to enhance effective communication and collaboration among remote teams.

The article The rise of remote work: A review of the benefits and challenges first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Hosted by the Costa Rica Convention Bureau, the event was held at the Costa Rica Convention Center. In addition to the conference, attendees also had the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of San José during a post-conference city tour.

“The recent UFI LATAM Conference held in Costa Rica was an exceptional event that gathered the major leaders of the exhibition industry in the region. We are honoured of having been chosen as the host of this unique experience and we are extremely grateful to the organisers for their tremendous hard work in putting together an event of this kind. We are very much looking forward to the next edition and we will remain committed to UFI in the promotion and growth of the exhibition industry in Latin America,” says Dennis Whitelaw, President of the Costa Rica Convention Bureau.

“As in the other markets around the world, Latin America has moved on from the rollercoaster events in the past 36 months. The focus is on growth and change, and that was very present throughout the sessions and meetings during this conference. UFI members came to compare where they stand, to look for partners and business opportunities, and to hear about the latest developments in the region and globally on issues from sustainability to talent development,” says Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO.

UFI LATAM Conference 2023

Over the course of the three-day conference, speakers from across the region covered a multitude of topics. Immediately setting the tone, the first panel zoomed in on the accelerating speed of change and envisioned how the industry will continue to change in the coming years. A highly rated session on marketing strategies with a renewed customer focus was followed by best practices from Mexico and Colombia on activating and using data insights and smart technology for the development of show portfolios. Updates on sustainability activities and the progress of the global “Net Zero Carbon Events” initiative were well received, as were the insights into global and regional trends on current innovations of public and events-related infrastructure.

The second day saw sessions dealing with the role of MICE industry associations and convention bureaus for successful shows, talent challenges and opportunities, and the fast-emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the future of events. Finally, the closing session was built around bridging the exhibition markets between Latin America and the US.

While the sessions are a key element of every UFI event, the LATAM Conference delivered a multitude of opportunities for matchmaking and networking. 412 meetings among participants were arranged during two specific matchmaking sessions, produced on-site by event partner “Two 2 Tango”. And besides networking breaks, a number of social events provide a multitude of networking opportunities – from the traditional UFI run to the dance floor at the closing night’s gala. There was also a special night out at the Parque de Diversiones, San José’s Theme Park area that opened exclusively for conference participants, providing a relaxed setting – and the opportunity to take rollercoaster rides, which proved very popular.

The third day of the conference offered the opportunity to go on a post-conference tour of San José. Attendees were able to enjoy the abundance of nature, culture and history that the city has to offer. They visited the Doka coffee plantation, which earned the ‘Historical and Architectural Heritage’ designation in Costa Rica, as well as the La Paz Waterfalls Park, one of the country’s natural treasures.

Last but not least, the conference provided an opportunity for the industry leaders who are standing as candidates in this month’s Chapter Leadership elections to introduce themselves to UFI members from across the region.

As usual, videos of all sessions will be made available to UFI members and conference participants in the coming days on demand.

As the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI organises annual regional conferences in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East/Africa, as well as the UFI Global Congress. The next event will be the UFI MEA Conference which will be held in Doha, Qatar this 9-11 May. The Global Congress will take place in Las Vegas, USA, from 1-4 November.

The article UFI LATAM Conference brings industry leaders together in Costa Rica first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The Falcon 2000 EX EASy is a remarkable heavy jet and a popular charter aircraft, featuring advanced avionics, a spacious premium style cabin and high-performance level. It can comfortably accommodate up to 9 passengers, making it the ideal choice for families, small groups, or individuals. It’s capability of cruising at up to 482 knots, the Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy can fly non-stop for up to 4045 nautical miles. The YOM is the aircraft is 2006.

The Amenities include 110V Outlet, Air Show, Certified jump seat, Coffee pot, Dishware, DVD player, Enclosed lavatory, Espresso machine, Full galley, Glassware, Ice bin, Kitchen sink, Lavatory, Lavatory sink, Leather seats, Oven, Pets allowed, Power outlet, Satellite.

Zela Jet is a brand part of the already well-established brokerage firm Zela Aviation established in 2006. Zela Jet was created to target the increasing demand for private travel, primarily focusing on the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle-Eastern market. The HQ are in Cyprus with regional offices in Athens, Greece. Zela Jet comprises of a team of aviation professionals, whose experience guarantees exceptional service. Company targets clients who appreciate comfort and time, while keeping the costs reasonable.

The article Falcon 2000 EX EASy charter aircraft based in Paphos, Cyprus, available by Zela Jet first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Companies are always looking to cut down travel costs while maintaining a good employee experience. However, employees on a company budget often view policy caps as flexible limits. Navan Rewards offers a new solution. This program incentivizes employees to make cost-effective decisions while traveling for work.

The idea is simple: The more an employee saves their company on travel expenses, the more rewards they earn to use on personal travel booked through Navan. Rewarding employees for reducing business travel costs can make a big difference to a company’s travel budget. The Navan Rewards program has already been successful, with some companies experiencing up to 15% travel cost savings and 19% higher adoption rates.

Now, Navan is taking the program one step further. As of today:

• Navan is fully funding these rewards. Companies won’t have to pay anything.
• Rewards can be redeemed for personal stays booked on Navan. Employees can earn up to $100 in rewards each time they book, and they can redeem rewards as they are earned — there are no blackout dates, ever.
• Employees also earn when booking on behalf of others. Travel managers and executive assistants will bank rewards for themselves when booking on behalf of others.

In a world where every penny counts, Navan Rewards offers a smart solution for companies looking to reduce travel costs while keeping their employees happy and motivated.

Travel for Work; Save On Vacation

It’s no secret that everyone loves rewards; but for business travelers, the stakes are particularly high. That’s where Navan Rewards comes in, offering a unique opportunity to maximize earnings by allowing travelers to double-dip on both Navan Rewards and hotel loyalty points — all within a single booking platform.

Here’s how Navan Rewards works:

• Employees earn rewards when booking eligible cost-effective hotels on Navan
• Employees redeem rewards for personal travel booked on Navan
• Administrators see the savings add up in a real-time dashboard

For business travelers, finding rewards is a breeze. Navan search results show potential rewards, allowing travelers to easily choose the best option for them. “I really love Navan’s feature that allows you to earn rewards by going with more economic options,” said an end user in a review published on G2.com.

Lower Travel Costs, Increase Adoption Rates, and Improve Company Culture

Navan Rewards is a game-changer for employees, travel managers, and finance teams, with wide-ranging benefits for companies as a whole.

1. Employees are incentivized to book on-platform and below policy limits
2. Administrators benefit from boosted platform adoption, increased policy compliance, and better visibility into spend (and savings!)
3. Companies save money — bottom line.

You could call it a win-win.

Companies already enrolled in Navan Rewards have seen a marked increase in platform adoption rates while also enjoying a significant decrease in travel spend. In fact, Navan customers participating in the revamped rewards program from August 2022 through January 2023 saw 19% higher rates of adoption.

“[Our employees] are incentivized for spending the company money wisely. They also get a great lodging experience,” said Hugh Drinkwater, Head of Procurement, Carta. Since switching to Navan, the company has saved 15% on hotel bookings and car rentals.

Just as important: Companies can deliver a delightful employee experience while leveraging Navan Rewards as an employee perk. It’s an easy — and free — way for companies to support time off and create a PTO-positive workplace culture. In turn, rewards help boost employee engagement and satisfaction, leading to higher retention rates.

It’s simple to see how Navan Rewards benefits everyone involved. Employees are excited to book on Navan and earn rewards, and admins gain visibility into spend, save time, and earn traveler trust.

The article Navan now fully funds its revamped Rewards Program first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

Now in its 7th edition, the UFI NGL Grant is aimed at promoting the next generation of professionals trying to establish their place in the exhibition industry. Mentorship and networking with the leading exhibition executives make NGL the most prestigious talent accelerator programme in the industry.

To qualify, applicants must have a maximum of 10 years of work experience within the exhibition industry and must still be working in the industry. The programme is sponsored by some of the leading global exhibition organisers: Clarion, dmg Events, Emerald, Informa Markets, RX and Tarsus.

The 2023 NGL Grant winners are:

• Otero Finiti – Business Development Executive, Expo Stars Interactive, UK
• Elizabeth George – Sr. Lead, Content & Programming, HIMSS, US
• Tehchad Kittiboonya – International Sales Manager, VNU Asia Pacific, Thailand
• Aya Moatamed – Data Analyst, Informa Markets, Egypt
• Amy Saleh – Operations Director, Hannover Fairs, Australia

The mission for the 2023 NGL project is to write a new blueprint on how to plan and operate events that help industries to evolve, help businesses to trade and learn and help every participant to benefit personally from their participation.

Spread over a period of 6 months, the grant winners are given the opportunity to develop their project under the guidance of UFI team, NGL alumni and industry leaders. The 2023 winners will kick off their project at the UFI European Conference in Maastricht this 13-16 June 2023. They will also be able to present their project at the UFI Global Congress in Las Vegas this 1-4 November 2023.

The Jury:
The jury was chaired by Michael Duck – UFI President and Executive Vice President of Commercial Development at Informa Markets – and included:

• Daniella Antes – Director, Talent Acquisition, Emerald
• Premila Braganza – Head of HR, dmg Events
• Daniella Galante – NGL Grant 2022 winner and Digital Marketing & Creative Manager, RX Africa
• Kurt Gamauf – Director of HR, Global Projects, RX
• Nidhi Grelaud – Programme Manager, Content and Communities, UFI
• Kai Hattendorf – Managing Director and CEO, UFI
• Justine Kendall – Sr. Manager, HR and Employee Benefits, Clarion North America
• Sean Ongers – Head of Global Learning and Performance, Informa Markets
• Rachel Wimberly – EVP, Business Development and M&A, Tarsus Group, US

“The UFI NGL grant has aimed since its inception to foster the next generation of professionals who are looking to find an exciting career in the exhibition industry. The theme of the NGL Grant is carefully chosen keeping in mind topics that are of critical importance to the future of our industry […] The overwhelming global response received for the UFI 2023 NGL Grant has shown how special this programme has been for those who are finding their place in this industry. The quality of winners we have seen over these years has been impressive”, says UFI President Michael Duck.

The Jury adds, “We really enjoyed receiving so many fantastic applications again and would say that the bar is being raised every year! We were particularly impressed with the diversity of entries from all over the world and across a variety of stakeholders within our industry. We thank all applicants for their creativity and thoughtfulness in both their videos and letters, which were just outstanding. Given the great quality of the submissions, selecting our finalists was a very tough decision. We would like to thank everyone for their wonderful efforts, and of course many congratulations to our winners!”

UFI congratulates this year’s NGL winners and looks forward to supporting the five selected next generation exhibition industry leaders as they work together to bring innovative change across the industry.

The article UFI announces winners of Next Generation Leadership Grant 2023 first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.