Corporate and agency event planners from companies including BT, NetApp, Alpha, INVNT, AMEX GBT Meetings & Events, Lemon Lane and Noble Events joined micebook and Destination Canada for an exclusive event at Fortnum & Masons last week.

The event shared highlights and insights from a research project micebook partnered with Destination Canada to deliver, which delves into the decision drivers and influences impacting destination sourcing and programme design for international events in four key sectors: Automotive, Financial, Life Sciences and Tech/telecoms.

The research (which consisted of a survey and in-depth interviews) aimed to understand some overall trends impacting destination sourcing, and then delve a bit deeper into the similarities and differences between the four sectors.

We found that each sector has its own challenges and quite different priorities when it comes to sourcing destinations for international events. So, we asked four industry experts who contributed to the research – one to represent each sector – to join a panel session and share their insights.

The panel featured Sam Trevenna, MD at Goose Live representing the automotive sector, Anna Green, MD at Broadsword for the financial sector, Maria Tsierkezos, Head of Partnership & Portfolio Marketing, BT representing the tech/telecoms sector, and Liz Johnson Parris, MD, IMPACCT for the life sciences/pharma sector.

Guests then continued the discussion over a delicious dinner and drinks at Fortnum & Mason, before Angie Boustred, designer at Chorus, shared some insights into the retail sector and what the events sector can learn from retail design.

Destination Canada‘s Jennifer Attersall and key partners representing Marriott Hotels Canada, Toronto, Whistler and Vancouver, then mingled with guests over drinks and afternoon tea-style canape desserts.

Check out photos from the event below