Latest news with #planners
Skift
19-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Germany Heads Into IMEX With Fewer Events – But They're Longer and Larger
The number of events held in Germany dropped 6.2% in 2024 to roughly 2 million, according to the latest annual market report from the German Convention Bureau. That figure is down more than 30% compared to 2019 levels, even as total attendance rebounded 21.5% year-over-year to 377.6 million. On the flip side, based on surveys of planners and venue suppliers, the report showed that average event duration increased from 1.4 days in 2019 to 1.7 days in 2024, the highest since at least 2013. Small events continue to make up the vast majority of total events, but the average attendance of events shifted significantly from 145 in 2023 (146 in 2019) to 187 last year, representing a 30% increase. Impact on Sustainability Larger, consolidated events could shrink the industry's carbon footprint. About 70% of planners believe high emissions could hurt event success. Only 55% of suppliers agree. The extent to which sustainability is part of the decision-making process of planners is subject to debate. But the report found that 79% of planners prefer suppliers with sustainability standards. While 60% of venues hold sustainability certifications, rising to 85% for hotels. However, a key challenge is the significant variance of standards. The most common in Germany is fairpflichtet, but it's only used by 14% of venues. Germany Growth Outlook: Planners vs. Suppliers Venue revenue grew by 4.7% in 2024, outpacing Germany's 2.2% inflation rate. Event centers saw 10.4% growth, while hotels managed just 2%. Looking ahead, suppliers expect 6.6% growth in 2025. Event budgets increased 15.6% in 2024, and planners expected an 11.4% rise in this year. However, planners only projected a 15.3% budget growth from 2024 to 2026, suggesting less certainty. Growth projections on the number of events and attendees vary significantly. Planners forecasted 27% more events and 25% more attendees in Germany, while suppliers projected increases of 9% and 8% respectively. One clear positive trend is the share of international attendance reached 9.5% in 2024, nearing the pre-pandemic peak of 10.2%. According to the survey, conducted January-March 2024, 80% of planners expected increased European attendance, and 65% expected more attendees from outside Europe. Suppliers are less optimistic: 53% expected more European attendance, and 24% projected more overseas attendees. One area that can be seen as both a challenge and an opportunity is venue capacity, which remains underutilized. In 2024, venues were empty for 160 days, while events took place on 142 days, and 36 days were used for event setup. The survey found planners more positive about artificial intelligence (AI) adoption than suppliers. More than three-quarters (78%) of planners reported using AI, compared to 46% of suppliers who used the technology. This gap extended to AI policies, with 59% of planners having guidelines in place, versus 16% of suppliers. Views on AI's potential to address staffing challenges also differed: 68% of planners saw AI as a staffing solution, while only 41% of suppliers agreed.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lewis Capaldi wins permission to build huge extension at £1.6m Scottish farmhouse with swimming pool, sauna and cinema
LEWIS Capaldi has hit the right notes with planners after getting the go-ahead for a recording studio at his £1.6million Scottish farmhouse. The Someone You Loved singer's rural retreat already boasts a swimming pool, sauna, spa, cinema and triple garage for his collection of motors. 4 4 4 Now Lewis wants to build his own private music room next to a pond at his gaff near Glasgow, using recycled sandstone from existing farm buildings. The studio will feature two balconies, two bookcases, a sliding music equipment storage trolley, a toilet, kitchen sink and tea preparation area. Planners at the council gave the superstar, 28, the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours. They said: "It is considered that the proposed development by way of its location and proximity to neighbouring properties will not have an adverse impact in terms of overlooking or overshadowing. "It is considered that the proposed development as a result of its location and scale will not have an adverse impact on the character of the landscape." They added: "The proposed development, by way of its scale, design and use of recycled sandstone from the existing farmhouse is considered in keeping with the character of the property. "It is considered that the proposed development, by way of its location, design and use of external materials, will not have an adverse impact on the character of the street scene." Last year, the singer was granted planning permission for a triple garage with an office above. And in 2021 he was given the green light for a rear swimming pool extension with a sauna and spa to boot. Lewis also has a £3million home in leafy Hampstead, London, where he moved in with girlfriend Ellie MacDowell in 2022. Lewis Capaldi hit it hard for a third night at Glastonbury The Sun revealed they split last year and he is now dating Remy O'Brien. Friends revealed their romance ran its course, with the couple struggling to make time for each other. An insider said: 'Lewis and Ellie had some long conversations and decided it was best for them to end things. It was a mutual decision. They are still friends and have been talking, so all is not lost. 'Ellie is still based in Edinburgh and Lewis lives in London so it's been hard for them to see each other. 'It's sad but ultimately Lewis and Ellie had a wonderful time together. It just wasn't to be.' Lewis announced he was taking a step back from music in 2023 after his second album, Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, hit No1. The record, which I played on loop for weeks, featured No1 singles Wish You The Best, Pointless and Forget Me. He returned to the studio to start working on new songs before Christmas with brothers Connor and Riley McDonough, who helped pen Mimi Webb's Red Flags and John Legend's Wonder Woman.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
More than 40 planners to be hired in recruitment drive to boost house building
Local authorities across the country started a recruitment campaign on Tuesday intended to hire more than 40 planners as part of a wider attempt to facilitate the building of more homes. Local Government Ireland advertised a total of 43 openings for graduate planners across 26 of the country's 31 local authorities. The recruitment drive was one of a number of strategies the last government said it would pursue to increase planning capacity across the State as part of drive towards the construction of additional housing. The provision of additional places in planning courses at third level and the recruitment of more senior planners back from abroad were among the other measures provided for in the Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources, published by then minister for housing Darragh O'Brien last October. READ MORE The roles advertised on Tuesday are entry level graduate ones which initially pay almost €39,000, a figure that rises to about €50,000 with annual increments. A senior planner in the public service can earn up to about €108,000. 'Planners are critical to tackling the big challenges facing the world in which we live – including housing, protecting our environment, biodiversity and heritage,' said Liam Conneally, chair of the County and City Management Association's planning and land use committee. 'This new stream of planners will have a real and direct impact on sculpting areas in which they themselves live,' added Mr Conneally, who is also chief executive of Galway County Council. Last month, Mr O'Brien's successor at the department, James Browne, said the country's local authorities would be instructed to reopen county development plans before the end of the year with a view to rezoning significant amounts of land for residential use. [ James Browne has little power to fix the housing crisis. The status quo is in charge Opens in new window ] He said additional resources would be provided by Government to help with the process and in its announcement on Tuesday, Local Government Ireland acknowledged the recruitment initiative was on foot of the action plan, which sets out a roadmap to increase the pool of planning expertise in the sector. The revised National Planning Framework includes targets for 50,000 new homes to be built every year to 2040 but infrastructure issues are seen as a big barrier to achieving the numbers. The provision of additional planning expertise is intended to help equip local authorities and other agencies to deal with the challenges involved. John Cummins, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, said on Tuesday the department was 'working with the local government sector to ensure planning authorities have the requisite level of staffing, resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions'. The new roles are open to graduates with an honours degree in planning or those who expect to get one this year. Details are at .
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
How do we submit observations on our neighbour's planning application?
We need assistance to make some observations on a neighbour's planning permission submission. We want to ensure that our views are correctly represented. We are not experts on planning or what is reasonable, but we know enough to see that some of the submission appears to be factually incorrect. My friends have made lots of suggestions including solicitors, surveyors, planners and so on, but I have no idea what type of firm to look for to help us. Advice would be very much appreciated. If you're concerned about a neighbour's planning application, particularly where it may contain inaccuracies or affect your property, it's important to raise observations clearly and within the five-week statutory window. These must focus on planning-related issues rather than personal preferences. A key starting point is to review the proposal against the relevant local development plan. For example, in Dublin City, the Dublin City Development Plan 2022–2028 outlines detailed design criteria, including for extensions, roof alterations and dormer windows. Material considerations for objections READ MORE When preparing your observation, focus on material planning considerations, such as: Overlooking and privacy: will new windows or raised structures compromise your home or garden ? Right to light: loss of natural daylight or overshadowing is a valid concern if your property is heavily impacted. Design and scale: does the proposal reflect the character of the area? Does it breach height or scale guidance in the development plan? Traffic, access or drainage: will the development strain local infrastructure or reduce safe access? These are the types of concerns planning authorities are required to assess under the Planning and Development Act. Non-planning issues -such as disputes over boundaries – fall outside their remit. Damian King is a chartered building surveyor Who can help? You don't necessarily need to engage multiple professionals to prepare an observation. A chartered building surveyor, particularly one experienced in planning matters, can help review drawings, assess the impact on your property and identify any inconsistencies with development plan policies. They may also advise if more specialist input – such as from a planning consultant – is needed. Submitting your observation Make sure your submission: Includes your name and contact details Clearly states your concerns in planning terms References the application number Is submitted within five weeks of the planning authority receiving the application You will also need to include the required fee (currently €20). Planning decisions are usually issued within eight weeks. If permission is granted and you made a valid submission, you may appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks. For further clarity, your local authority's website and the development plan documents provide helpful guidance. It goes without saying, but a well-informed submission is more likely to be taken seriously. Damian King is a chartered building surveyor and a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland Do you have a query? Email propertyquestions@ This column is a readers' service. The content of the Property Clinic is provided for general information only. It is not intended as advice on which readers should rely. Professional or specialist advice should be obtained before persons take or refrain from any action on the basis of the content. The Irish Times and it contributors will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on any content
