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THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS

THE travel restrictions and social distancing measures has seen many international associations hold their rst in-person meetings since the start of the pandemic in early 2020. And the signs are that delegates are keen to swap online for onsite. One professional congress LIFTING OF organiser said in-person registrants were out numbering their online counterparts at hybrid meetings to a much greater extent than had been expected. Sydney-based ICMS said more than 60 per cent of registrants for the 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, in May, for example, were choosing to be there in person. And some three-quarters of registrants for the 21st International Meeting on LithiumBatteries, in June, were choosing the in-person option rather than taking part remotely. Both events are taking place in Sydney, at the ICC Sydney. Elsewhere more than 80 association executives gathered in Brussels for the 10th edition of the European Association Summit, in May, with around 30 taking the online option. e latest Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry Pulse Survey, published in March, showed meeting planner sentiment was now ‘bullish’, with doubts over Covid-19 quickly fading.

The long-awaited return of physical meetings will enable delegates to collaborate, exchange expertise and drive innovation in person across an array of specialist subjects, from climate change solutions to the future of healthcare. It’s wonderful to be able towelcome these events back and support our city’s post- pandemic renewal

INSIGHT ONLINE

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