Latest news with #planners
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Shops plan approved for former Normanton Road Gospel Hall
Plans to convert a former gospel hall in Derby into six shops have been given the go-ahead in a bid to "breathe new life" into the City Council has approved proposals to redevelop the Normanton Road Gospel Hall site, which has stood empty for more than four years, according to planning included with a planning application said the existing building had deteriorated over the past four years due to a lack of use and said the proposals would transform the site into a "modern, vibrant commercial space" and "enhance the economy activity" in the area. A report submitted to the council said: "The building is no longer actively serving its intended purpose, and its continued vacancy poses a risk of urban decay."The proposed conversion into six retail shops will breathe new life into the site, improve economic activity, and provide modern, accessible, and sustainable commercial spaces."
Skift
16-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
How Next-Gen Attendees are Reshaping Event Tech
Planners need to rethink how they use technology in every aspect of their meetings, or they risk losing the attention of the biggest percentage of their attendees — Millennials and Gen Zers. Planners are rethinking every aspect of meeting tech, from registration to reservations, apps to entertainment, with their younger attendees in mind. The evolution of these 7 technologies is transforming planners' jobs and their meetings. Registration Tech If there's anything that will turn off a younger attendee, it's a glitchy online registration system, or, once they arrive at the meeting, waiting in a long queue for no apparent reason. Improved registration technology has simplified the process. On site, self-registration or tablet tables allow staff to take on a more passive role as attendees sign themselves in. All that's needed is a fast badge-printing system and a single station for badge and material pick-up, such as lanyards and ribbons. This transforms registration from a painful experience into an opportunity to engage with other people and start the event on a positive note. Travel Booking It used to be considered a privilege by incentive winners to have their flights booked for them, concierge-style. Not so for the younger generations: They prefer to have a travel voucher they can use to book their flights on their own, on whichever app and airline they choose. They also want control of their reservations so they can extend their trips and work remotely in that beautiful incentive destination, rather than jetting straight home. Audience Polling The idea of a session where people are talked down to by the person on stage is a yawn for younger audiences. 'They don't want to see people like us talking to you. They actually want to be involved in the conversation,' Sherrif Karamat, CEO of PCMA and CEMA, told the audience at last year's Skift Meetings Forum. A growing number of events are using live polling to encourage audience participation. The key to successful polling is to form questions that will intrigue your attendees, make the instructions very clear so that your attendees know what they are supposed to do, and allow them enough time to think before voting. Commenting on the results creates a dialog between the speaker and the audience. In addition to encouraging participation, polling questions can help planners quickly understand how their content is resonating and make real-time adjustments. Facial Recognition Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are everywhere these days, including in conference rooms. Some are being used to recognize and track attendees (known as facial recognition), while others are analyzing the entire group to measure their engagement in the sessions. While there used to be more objections to this technology, it is generally accepted among younger attendees. However, it is still important to let people know ahead of time that you are using the technology, to ward off any liability from a privacy or security perspective. Gamification Younger generations have grown up with gaming consoles in their living rooms. Gamification activates the desire to achieve something and be recognized for it. It also touches on the need for 'status' among peers and gives attendees a new challenge. All of these are something younger attendees know well. So it's a natural to include gaming in meetings to get attendees to partake in activities they may not otherwise be inclined to do, like visiting a booth on the far end of an exhibit hall or connecting with new people they have not met before. Interactive Entertainment Younger attendees have also grown up in the world of immersive art events like Artechouse and Superblue, and even viewed the masters like Van Gogh and Monet electronically. Immersive experiences like Meow Wolf, which blends art, storytelling, and technology as visitors explore new worlds, have shaped their view of entertainment. Meetings can also wow attendees by using projection mapping, which transforms everyday objects like walls, buildings, and stages into dynamic, immersive displays. Whether it is subtle lighting effects or massive 3D video installations, projection mapping creates the same effect as these other immersive entertainment experiences — just at a meeting. AI A recent McKinsey survey found that Millennials are the most active generation of gen AI users. Some 62%t of employees aged 35 to 44 report high levels of expertise, compared with half of 18- to 24-year-old Gen Zers and 22% of Baby Boomers over 65. For Ginger Taylor, assistant director-leadership at Leadhership CORRECT Network for Women at Arc, AI is a kickstarter — the first step in her creative process. ChatGPT has become one of her go-to tools. 'I'm completely self-taught. I didn't take a course or follow a step-by-step manual. I just started using it, learned as I went, and I'm still learning. That's the beauty of it. 'I use ChatGPT to spark creativity, to help me think through challenges, and to kickstart the planning process,' she said. 'It helps me uncover angles I might not have considered on my own. 'For me, ChatGPT is part of the bigger process: strategy, research, innovation, creativity, and leadership. It doesn't replace the work, it enhances it.'
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Planning a family summer getaway in the Laurentians
Ottawa Watch For families looking to plan a road trip not too far home we have a suggestion for you.
Khaleej Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi: Addressing the Lack of Climate-Friendly Education
A significant lack of education in urban sustainable planning is hindering effective and equitable development. This drawback manifests in various forms, including insufficient training for planners, a gap between research and implementation, limited public awareness and the neglect faced by developing countries. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial for creating sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities. However, as German physicist Albert Einstein stated, 'Today's problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them,' the critical challenge in the 21 st century is associated with the need for a stronger focus on the socio-cultural implications of infrastructure and the integration of design with sustainability goals. To begin with, urban planning must evolve from a reactive discipline to a proactive force, as urban land cover is expected to triple by 2030, and 1.024 billion new urban residents are anticipated. Cities risk becoming epicentres of inequality, environmental degradation and systemic failure. Since urban planners lack the specialized knowledge and skills to handle the complex challenges of sustainable development, it frequently leads to resistance to change and hinders the implementation of long-term solutions. Faced with uncertainties such as social equity considerations, economic volatility, migration and the integration of systems, experts claim that over 60 per cent of projects face risks and lasting growth. Don't neglect developing countries In many developing nations, over 40 per cent of urban residents live in informal settlements, making resilience planning even more challenging. This must be seen in the context that the majority of urban growth is happening in developing countries, yet their specific challenges are often overlooked. This includes factors like rapid population growth and limited resources. Therefore, cities in the Global South, where urbanization is fastest and infrastructure gaps are widest, must be concentrated on. Since the social and cultural impacts of implementing green infrastructure or renewable energy have not been fully explored, involving local communities in the planning and design process is crucial for ensuring the adoption of sustainable solutions. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are particularly relevant for developing countries because they address the root causes of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation. By aligning development plans, countries can leverage international support, mobilize resources and track progress towards an equitable future. The SDGs also provide a framework for international cooperation and collaboration to address challenges that disproportionately affect developing nations. While the goals offer guidelines for progress, countries face significant challenges in their implementation, including financial resources to invest in infrastructure, technologies and programs. Such issues need to be tackled urgently to remove existing inequalities. Focus on climate education Additionally, the disconnect between resources and research and academic knowledge on sustainable urban planning affects the entire system. Urban planning requires a multidisciplinary approach; however, educational programs and professional practices often remain unutilized and give adverse results. While some universities offer courses in sustainable development, the integration of urban planning principles into broader educational curricula is often lacking. The consequences lead to increased pollution, resource depletion and social inequalities. While stifling innovation, it prevents the adoption of new technologies and approaches, making it difficult for marginalized communities to access resources. Thus, investing in specialized training for urban planners and holding public awareness campaigns can impart knowledge on the issue. At the same time, encouraging collaboration between academic departments and professional fields can help decision-making and foster a holistic approach. It can f acilitate knowledge transfer and ensure that research findings are translated into practical solutions. A review of urban planning literature has revealed that less than 20 per cent of published research integrates sustainability, smart city frameworks and master planning in a unified discussion. Only three out of 10 global regions consistently apply these in their city master plans. Most focus on isolated themes without providing approaches and directions that are adaptable across diverse urban contexts. Undoubtedly, the fragmentation limits the scalability of successful initiatives and minimizes the development of universally applicable planning procedures. Curriculum in crisis The observation of postgraduate programs in urban planning across major universities indicates that less than 15 per cent offer degrees or concentrations in sustainable urban planning. In certain institutions, sustainability is treated as a peripheral theme rather than a core discipline. However, Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi offers a master's in urban planning and development with a focus on sustainability, but such programs are rare and highly competitive. (Over 1,500 applicants annually vie for limited spots). Similarly, the University of Birmingham in Dubai offers an MSc in Urban Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, integrating data science with sustainability. In contrast, several universities hold short-term certificate courses or elective modules that lack the depth required to prepare students for real-world challenges. The need is to encourage interdisciplinary studies that combine environmental science, urban policy, and socio-economic analysis. (Currently, less than 25 per cent of urban planning publications meet this criterion). Additionally, we must expand the curriculum and introduce full-fledged master's programs in these spheres. To bridge academia and practice, urban innovation hubs should be established to connect students, researchers and city officials. Such centres should introduce mitigation strategies, including optimal tree placement, to reduce urban heat as demonstrated in studies using Earth observation data. (The urban heat island effect alone contributes to major economic losses). Highly concerned with the present system, I intend to devise a course for post-graduates at the American University of Sharjah (which is actively engaged in addressing urban planning sustainability through its academic programs, research initiatives and campus operations), to make students battle-ready for facing the changing environmental screenplay. I believe that sustainable urban planning should not be an afterthought but a top priority in shaping the cities of tomorrow. As Australian author, Hugh White said, 'Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power.' Therefore, creating a good plan will be a roadmap to show us the way to get there.
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.
