Conferences and Conventions: A Global Industry 3rd edition provides a comprehensive introduction to the key elements of the global conference, convention and meetings industry. It examines the industry's origins, structure, economic, social and environmental impacts, education, training and career opportunities, and the industry's future development. It also explores its links with the wider tourism industry, and suggests that there should be a realignment of these links, putting a greater focus on designing, executing and measuring meeting and convention contents so that they have a purposeful impact on participants, thus creating greater value for stakeholders. It suggests that there should be greater emphasis on the role that meetings play in economic, professional and educational development, promoting the benefits they provide in knowledge exchange, scientific research, technology transfer, networking and motivation and showing clearly what such business events actually accomplish. This revised 3rd edition has been updated to reflect current trends and emerging topics and achieve a more international approach.This edition has also been updated with the following features: * New content on social media, web based marketing, the use of technology, experiential marketing and events, the role of trade shows in conventions, issues of sustainability, and moves to create a profession for event management. * Fully integrated and updated case studies to highlight current issues and demonstrate theory in practice. Also contains new case studies on the growth markets of Asia, Brazil and the Middle East. * A detailed meetings and events industry lexicon. This book is written in an accessible and engaging style and structured logically with useful features throughout to aid students' learning and understanding. This book is an invaluable resource to students following Events Management, Hospitality and Tourism courses.