The Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Movement has announced that Germany’s capital, Berlin, is scaling up its ambition to become one of the most innovative and sustainable meeting destinations in the world. Berlin will be participating in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) to assess its performance and identify opportunities to increase their positive environmental and societal impact.

Travel industry leaders Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association, and Ernest Wooden Jr., former president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, will be honored as the 2020 inductees into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders, the organization announced this week.

The events industry of New York City came together virtually and live for the first time for many months when the event "The Future is Now" took place at etc.venues’ 360 Madison Avenue as a result of a partnership between etc.venues and event agency NECTR.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced the appointment of a new global marketing team helmed by senior leader Melanie de Souza, executive director, destination marketing.

Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization (KTPO) has named Bullfrog + Baum as the destination’s public relations and marketing agency for North America. Bullfrog + Baum will work closely with KTPO to raise awareness around Kyushu, Japan among U.S. travelers, through strategic media relations that will highlight all of the adventures that awaits travelers in Kyushu.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace, a regional showcase for global leadership, diversity and resilience in tourism, is being planned for spring 2021, and organizers are seeking innovative ideas and expressions of interest from tourism stakeholders.

Effective from October 1, Nashville, TN, entered Phase 3 of its reopening plan, implementing several key changes affecting meetings and conventions.

Highlights of Phase 3:

Due to the advocacy of the Washington Meeting and Convention Coalition (WMCC), Washington governor Jay Inslee has modified the state’s Phase 2 and Phase 3 restrictions around business meetings, professional development training and testing, and similar activities, effective from September 21. According to the new guidance, the governor’s "Safe Start" reopening plan will permit meetings and business events to be held at an indoor capacity of 30 percent or 200 guests, whichever is less (excluding venue staff)

Abu Dhabi is celebrating two new significant business events-related achievements, after the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) unveiled news that the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) capital has climbed business destination rankings compiled by two prestigious organizations.

Both the Union of International Associations (UIA) and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) have reported that Abu Dhabi has improved its position on their respective rankings.

On September 10, the #PowerOfLiveEvents initiative left the virtual space and converted into an all-day live conference with support from the newly formed Budapest Convention Bureau and the Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre and with the cooperation of the industry associations.