After a somewhat turbulent year 2020 looks like the year to focus on optimism, according to Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX group. In her opinion, sustainability, health and wellbeing, diversity, bleisure and artificial intelligence are some of the guidelines that will mark the events industry throughout 2020.
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX group, has analyzed the trends that are coming for the MICE industry this year. In her opinion, 2020 is the year to focus on the positive aspects. She underlines as good news that more and more often, sustainability, health and welfare, diversity, inclusion, artificial intelligence as well as campaigns to reduce food waste or plastic are essential in any event.
In keeping with the focus on optimism, Carina Bauer highlights the four positive trends that the IMEX team hopes - and wants - to see fulfilled in 2020 and beyond.
Circular Economy
As an alternative to the traditional line economy (make, use, discard), the circular economy proposes a new model in which the useful life of each product is made the most of by recycling and reusing elements.
Taking into account sustainability awareness, the next step is to create business models based on the circular economy with the principles of zero waste and recycling, as highlighted at the World Economic Forum with the statement: "your next sportswear could be made of coffee".
Soaking up the UN's sustainable development goals
"Sustainable events are the only way to ensure that the business can continue to exist. It's not just something that happens, it's the only option.
Carina Bauer referred to these words at the IMEX 2019 press conference where the creation of the Sustainable Events Council (SEC) Center was announced, of which the IMEX group is a sponsor.
The centre was created to align the MICE industry with the UN's Sustainable Development objectives, which has been followed by the establishment of standards for sustainable events.
Along these lines, Carina Bauer recalls that projects and new initiatives can be submitted for the annual IMEX-IEC Innovation and Sustainability Award until January 20.
Mental health: reducing stress
According to the Institute for the Evaluation of Disease Cost Metrics, about 13% of the world's population - approximately 971 million people - suffer from some form of mental disorder. Depression, in fact, is the world's leading cause of disability. Millions of people suffer from anxiety, stress or dementia.
The first change, according to Bauer, is to leave behind the stigmas that often accompany illness and disease. And more action is needed, not only to give them more help, but also to reduce the problems at their root. Technological help can be a solution, with apps that help find well-being from good quality sleep. In order to reduce stress and anxiety at work, some companies are providing their employees with flexible working hours and spaces.
Artificial Intelligence to reduce stress when travelling
Not surprisingly, according to research from the University of Montreal, daily trips of 20 minutes or more can lead to chronic stress and exhaustion. For Carina Bauer, it's good news that real-time emotion detection and Artificial Intelligence are being used to combat stress and bring a bit of wellness to travel environments.
In this regard, Carina Bauer highlights the use of robots at airports, such as in Istanbul, to improve the customer experience.
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