Union of International Associations

Union des Associations Internationales

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8608417.stm

Product piracy at exhibitions - Recommendations for exhibitors

Some recommendations & information from WORLDDIDAC Basel / Switzerland available here:

http://www.worlddidac.org/en/031_Newsletters/upload/Product%20piracy%20at%20exhibitions%20Worlddidac.pdf

United Airlines has agreed to buy Continental in a $3 billion-plus deal that would create the world's largest carrier with a commanding position in several top U.S. cities.

Deal expected to conclude in 4th quarter 2010.

http://www.unitedcontinentalmerger.com/

New standard for the meetings industry

"The Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol is a new advanced level guide for sustainable event management which uses the United Nations’ COP15 conference in Copenhagen as its case study. The protocol is designed to be used in conjunction with The COP15 Event Sustainability Report which provides in-depth details of the COP15 sustainability approach, initiatives and performance. The report follows GRI reporting guidelines and sets a new standard for the meetings industry.

new book announcement

Evaluating Transnational NGOs: Legitimacy, Accountability, Representation
Edited by Jens Steffek and Kristina Hahn
Palgrave Macmillan

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come to play a key role in global and European governance. With this new influence and visibility many have begun to worry about their legitimacy and accountability. Critics question the representativeness of NGOs, the democratic quality of their internal procedures, and their accountability to the wider public. This

"Initiating and organising an international conference is like starting up a new enterprise, knowing beforehand that its life span is limited. Such an enterprise usually requires starting capital to pay the initial costs. Insurance to cover possible risks due to reduced attendance may also be needed.

The Pre-financing and Guarantee Fund (VGF) was set up by the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) and the Dutch Convention Industry Association VNC, in co-operation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, to meet these needs.

The Problem with the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom Hierarchy

David Weinberger

The data-information-knowledge-wisdom  hierarchy seemed like a really great idea when it was first proposed. But its rapid acceptance was in fact a sign of how worried we were about the real value of the information systems we had built at such great expense. What looks like a logical progression is actually a desperate cry for help.

KölnKongress is reporting positive results for the 2009 financial year:
not only the number of events on the premises of KölnKongress increased compared with the previous year, but also the number of visitors  exceeded the one million mark.

Cruise ships still find a Haitian berth

Luxury liners are still docking at private beaches near Haiti's devastated earthquake zone for holidaymakers to enjoy the water