What’s New This September?

Welcome to our September round-up at BestCities Global Alliance, where we highlight this month’s key activities and achievements from across our global network. This edition features insightful updates from our Association Focus and Head Office Highlights, alongside vibrant news from our partner cities around the world.

Promotional graphic for BestCities Global Alliance's September round-up, featuring a circular photo of a stone gazebo and spire in Cape Town with text and logos on a blue background.

Association Focus: Important News and Events

Bid Insights: 2027 World Physiotherapy Congress

In an enlightening interview, Tracy Bury sheds light on the bid process for the 2027 World Physiotherapy Congress, including strategic approaches and collaborations essential for hosting this prestigious event.

Read the full interview here.

Incredible Impacts Programme Seed Grant Winner

BestCities and ICCA’s Incredible Impacts Programme (IIP) has awarded its annual seed grant to the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society, recognizing the organization’s outstanding contribution to advancing global healthcare standards.

Learn about the IIP 2024 Seed Grant Winner here.

Legacy-building in Cape Town: IHPBA Congress

The International Hepato-Pancreato Biliary Association (IHPBA) Congress is a shining standard for ways a major event can contribute to local and international healthcare landscapes, with the event in Cape Town a prime example of this positive legacy.

To learn about the IHPBA Congress’s inspiring execution in Cape Town, read here.


Head Office Highlights: What’s Happening at BestCities Global Alliance

Final Call to Join Us at Convening EMEA in Barcelona!

Enhance your professional network this September by connecting with global event experts at PCMA Convening EMEA. Whether you’re registered to attend or debating whether to take the plunge, we offer exclusive opportunities to enhance your experience:

Already Registered? Join our BestCities Breakfast session on 2 October for the latest updates on the BestCities Global Forum, the ICCA Association Impact Masterclass, and more. Plus, you could win up to USD 1,500 for your Barcelona flight! Register now!

Not Registered Yet? Become part of our Hosted Buyer group, and we’ll cover your registration fee!

Smart Monday at IMEX America

At Smart Monday during IMEX America, the BestCities Global Alliance will host a session that provides an in-depth analysis of the significant changes affecting the global business landscape.

Loren Christie moderates the session with Michael Drake from Vancouver, Katja Sukale from Berlin, Adriaan Fourie from Cape Town, and Edward KOH from Singapore as they’ll explore crucial environmental, economic, political, legal, social, and technological factors impacting the business events sector.

Colorful geometric pattern with overlapping circles in shades of yellow, green, and blue. An orange pin-shaped logo reads "IMEX Smart Monday Powered by MPI.

City Buzz: What’s Happening in BestCities Destinations

Madrid

European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting, 9-13 September

Madrid welcomes 17,000 delegates to the 60th Annual Meeting of the EASD, focusing on diabetes research.

National Congress of the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology, 25-28 September

Madrid hosts 3,000 ophthalmology specialists, enhancing its reputation in medical expertise.

MCB 40th Anniversary and Promotional Activities

The Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) marks its 40th anniversary with a celebration at Cibeles Palace on 24 September, as well as a new promotional video. MCB has also resumed promotional activities, including a new initiative for sustainable meeting planning. Read more about MCB’s sustainability efforts.

Spacious courtyard with a glass-domed ceiling, surrounded by a multi-story neoclassical building with tall windows and white columns.

Berlin

IFA 2024: 100 Years of Innovation, 6-10 September

Messe Berlin and STATION Berlin host the centennial of IFA, the world’s largest consumer electronics show spotlighting AI, smart home tech, and sustainable solutions. Click here to read more.

Berlin Meeting Campus

This unique event space integrates various venues and hotels into a single large-scale event hub, ideal for anything from workshops to grand keynotes, and centrally located near Berlin Central Station. Click here to read more.

Berlin Rocks: Music and Business

Berlin continues to draw major music acts like Moby, Janet Jackson, and Billie Eilish, with venues doubling as dynamic spaces for conferences and meetings. Click here to read more.

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin illuminated at dusk, showcasing its neoclassical architecture with the Quadriga statue on top. People are gathered at the base, and city lights are visible in the background.

Melbourne

IEEE Convene Highlights

Maria Rivera represented Melbourne at IEEE Convene in Hawaii. Tune into the IEEE Forums of the Future podcast, featuring Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Julia Swanson, to explore local strengths in technology and engineering.

International Mass Spectrometry Conference, 17-23 August

Melbourne recently hosted the prestigious Mass Spectrometry Conference, marking its first meeting in Australia in its 66-year history.

Club Melbourne Ambassador Awards

Melbourne Convention Bureau celebrated the Club Melbourne Ambassador Program Award recipients, acknowledging their contributions to securing 12 international conferences with significant economic impact.

Destination News

Juneyao Airlines will initiate direct flights from Melbourne to Shanghai starting 19 December, enhancing Melbourne’s connectivity with China and boosting air capacity.

A person stands in front of a wall covered in various artworks and framed pictures in a narrow alleyway in Melbourne. They wear a blue shirt, jeans, and tan boots, with a backpack slung over their shoulders.

Vancouver

World Supercross Canadian Grand Prix, 26 October

The WSX Canadian Grand Prix brings top Supercross action to Vancouver, marking its Canadian debut at BC Place.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, 30 November

For the first time, Vancouver hosts WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, with the world’s top wrestling stars convening at Rogers Arena.

WXV 1 Women’s Rugby Global Competition, 29 September – 12 October

Vancouver hosts the second edition of the WXV 1, showcasing the world’s top six women’s rugby teams and furthering the city’s reputation as a hub for international sports.

Promotional poster for the Women's Global Competition in rugby, taking place in Vancouver from September 29 to October 12, featuring players in action and details about tickets.

Dublin

American College Football Series, 24 August

Dublin welcomed over 27,000 American tourists for the US college football season opener at Aviva Stadium, where Georgia Tech triumphed over Florida State University. The event drew a TV audience of 3.5 million and boosted the Irish economy by approximately €115 million.

European Congress of Immunology 2024, 1-4 September

Over 3,500 delegates will gather at The Convention Centre Dublin to discuss advancements in immunology. Click here for more details.

WONCA Europe 2024, 25-28 September

The Convention Centre Dublin hosts 3,000 general practitioners for this key medical conference. Click here for more details.

International Whey Conference 2024, 15-18 September

Hosted at the RDS Dublin, this conference will attract 900 delegates eager to explore whey production and applications. Click here for more details.

Dubai

Dubai World Trade Centre: A Season of Global Events

The Dubai World Trade Centre is set for a dynamic season, filled with a variety of conferences, congresses, and exhibitions. This bustling activity underscores Dubai’s position as a premier global hub for events. Read more about the upcoming season.

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress

The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress will spotlight cutting-edge transport technologies and solutions, while helping to advance Dubai’s smart transportation capabilities. Learn more about the ITS Congress.

Tokyo

CLEFT Tokyo 2024, 17-19 July

The 16th World Congress of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (CLEFT) convened at the University of Tokyo, engaging 300 delegates under the theme “Break the limit, bring innovation.” The congress included a unique international metaverse symposium and a community-building fun run around the Hongo Campus.

A group of people sits in a conference room with a large screen projecting a video presentation at the front.

Guadalajara

Jalisco at IBTM Americas, 21-22 August

Jalisco showcased its offerings at IBTM Americas, promoting its local tourism and business event capabilities.

Guadalajara International Airport Expansion

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico has inaugurated a second runway at Guadalajara International Airport. The expansion allows for more efficient handling of flights and is expected to increase hourly operations significantly by 2026. Click here to read more about the airport expansion.

Other Destination News

Guadalajara has secured the 4th spot in Time Out’s list of the world’s best cities for nightlife.

A cobblestone street lined with trees leads to a domed building in the distance on a clear day.

Cape Town

International Astronomical Union General Assembly, 6-15 August

Cape Town hosted the International Astronomical Union General Assembly, whose educational outreach included astronaut-led school talks and significant equipment donations. The event emphasized accessibility with open-source content and strong participation from African delegates and young professionals.

Singapore

Singapore Grand Prix Season, 13-22 September

The excitement of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix is amplified by the Singapore Grand Prix Season, offering race-themed lifestyle experiences city-wide, catering to diverse interests. Discover more here.

Far East Hospitality’s Sustainability Achievement

Far East Hospitality has achieved the GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels Certification for all its 16 properties in Singapore, aligning with national efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices.

50th Anniversary of Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau

The SECB marked its 50th anniversary at the Singapore MICE Awards, celebrating significant contributions to the MICE industry’s growth. SECB continues to support partners in integrating innovative and technological solutions for business events. Learn more on LinkedIn.

A group of people stand on a stage, posing for a photo in front of a large cake. The backdrop reads "SECB50 - Celebrating MICE Excellence." The setting appears to be a formal event.