There's much to experience at IBTM World: 76 conference talks and panels, parties, stands, networking events, Spanish cuisine - it's easy to be overwhelmed by the options. Never fear -  here, we've found Wednesday's five most intriguing talks. For a look at our pick of Tuesday's events, click here. C&IT will also be reporting directly from IBTM, so be sure to check for briefings. 

From Spectator to Creator – How to Design Engaging Meetings
When it's on: Wednesday, 20th Nov, 10:00 - 10:45, Workplace Revelation

What they're promising: Speaker Bo Krüger is an expert in positive psychology, and he is well aware of how many meetings leave participants 'exhausted, bored, and unable to retain much of the content'. He promises to demonstrate 'practical strategies for engaging your participants in ways that are interactive, meaningful, and lasting'.

Why we're intrigued: Because meetings are an uncomfortable corporate reality, but often leave participants feeling redundant as the same people dominate proceedings. Developing a tool kit for keeping people engaged in interactions is vital within the events industry. Krüger's reputation as a lateral thinker proceeds him: one thing guaranteed from this talk is fun - and new ideas.


Intentional Incentive Travel: Experiences that Matter, Itineraries that Work

When it's on: Wednesday, 20th Nov, 11:00 - 11:20, Impact Stage

What they're promising: Considering the tension between political concerns and the popularity of incentive programs, this talk aims to reconcile the 'complementing and contradicting data' to create an impactful incentive travel experience.

Why we're intrigued: Because of the panel, frankly. With Mark Zanetti, from Destination Canada, and on the board of directors for SITE Canada, who are world leaders at curating thoughtful, impactful itineraries, and Maria Tsierkezos has led 73 incentive trips in over 40 destinations - as well as being lauded in the C&IT Incentive A-List 2023 and the C&IT Corporate A-List 2023. In conjunction with Benoit Cavard, Vice President of Global DMC Partners, they will have some interesting insights into the ever-evolving challenges of incentives. 

Storytelling is Big Business: Taking Inspiration from Immersive Theatre

When it's on: Wednesday, 20th Nov 11:30 - 12:00 IBTM Main Stage

What they're promising: Twice Olivier-nominated theatre company Les Enfants Terribles (Alice’s Adventures Underground) will discuss how techniques from immersive theatre can help you create headline-grabbing brand experiences. Their knowledge of storytelling, and how it drives emotions, can be applied to the corporate sector to create headline-grabbing events - here they'll explain how.  

Why we're intrigued: Because, at their core, brand experiences are storytelling, and Les Enfants Terribles are superb at weaving immersive, emotional tales. 'Alice's Adventures Underground' was an immersive theatrical experience that was original, experiential, and genuinely unforgettable - learning how to apply their creative concepts to live event planning is going to be truly fun. 

Dare to Drive Change: A Case Study in Waste Reduction
When it's on: Wednesday, 20th Nov 12:00 - 12:20 Impact Stage

What they're promising: A case study of how the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre (SECC) in Gothenburg 'worked internally, and with the supply chain to make a monumental reduction in waste coming out of the building'.

Why we're intrigued: Sweden truly has its bona fides regarding sustainability and ESG practices. Ranked third for sustainable practices in the world, the country is known for its innovation in renewable energy, with an EPI score of 72.7, highlighting its effective environmental policies. So if Swedish experts have some enactable advice on reducing event waste, attention should be paid. 

Malin Erlandsson, Director Congress & Events, and Nicklas Höjer, Director of Logistics & Production, oversaw the process by which the SECC enacted change - their insights will be practical and invaluable. Global Destination Trends and the MICE Industry’s Role in Over-tourism 

When it's on: Wednesday, 20th Nov 13:00 - 13:30, EIC, Stand: N75

What they're promising: A breakdown of the top 2024 global destinations for meetings, incentives, and business events, and a trend forecast for 2025's top destinations. They'll also look at the complex impacts of over-tourism and its invisible burden on destinations worldwide. They're also offering strategies for mitigating those effects and implementing sustainable event planning worldwide.

Why we're intrigued: Knowing where people are likely to be heading is always useful for gauging what corporates are seeking from their travel destinations - is there a move away from leisure destinations to cultural ones, for example, is the US likely to be less popular next year in view of political unrest? Gauging the hot spots to head to is invaluable - even if it's just to try and find somewhere more novel!