Dear Reader,

The key word in current times is digital. And digital is what makes the world go around or rather it’s what connects the world. Digital is not just about being environment friendly, it’s also about being fast, precise and concise. And this is precisely the reason that event organisers are now using technology for planning and executing their events. It not only adds value but is also cost effective and acts as a brand promotion tool. It makes the event an experiential one and brings more satisfaction to the client, as the turnaround time is faster. And our tech expert Darren Edwards also talks about planning the events through mobile apps. He cites staggering stats on the usage of apps and the downloads by attendees at an event. According to him, event apps are about ‘making life easy’. It’s not just apps; websites too have tools for making a customised MICE plan. And using this to the optimum is Tourism Ireland which has its own MICE website, meetinireland.com. With support from the government, Tourism Ireland has incentives to offer groups. Along with beautiful landscapes and some hair raising legends, Ireland has historical meeting venues. The cities of Dublin, Killarney, Cork and Belfast have some interesting venues to convene. Europe seems to attract visitors all the time. So Vienna Convention Bureau works round the year highlighting the city with road shows, conferences, seminars. It is a city which promotes eco-labelled events and conferences. Its historical roots go deep in time and the blend of history with modernity makes it a sought after city for MICE. Coming to India, our very own pink city, Jaipur, has lots to offer. But this time, we have featured the traditional and iconic ITC Rajputana. The grand hotel has been in existence for 25 years and the popularity has not waned. Its conference facilities are as regal as the name. And for all who are tired and stressed at work, our expert Shivani Misri Sadhoo talks about the four signs of burn out. If you are experiencing them, then consulting someone would be a wise move, she says. And of course, there’s regular news, views and more. Happy reading and mail us your suggestions.