ICCA’s multi-hub, hybrid 59th Congress continued the process of ‘Transforming Together’ and, on its second day, 2 November, attracted a message of support delivered in person by Luxembourg prime minister Hon. Xavier Bettel (pictured), who showed that some politicians really do get our industry.
Speaking at the European hub in Luxembourg, 2 November, he greeted ICCA delegates and acknowledged the value of the global business events industry in particular to the small country of Luxembourg, which has a total population of just over 614,000.
The Copenhagen Lecture was a major Congress highlight again, delivered direct from Denmark. The topic was the many facets of inclusion and selected personalities shared their experiences and beliefs, including ‘universal futurist’ Anne Skare Nielsen, ‘chief futurist’ Yasmin Poole, national ambassador, Plan International Australia, and Lars Henriksen, chair, Copenhagen Pride.
ICCA delegates we able to hear the final presentation of the Kaohsiung Protocol – a research and crowdsource framework to examine the macro and micro trends impacting the global events industry. It attempted to identify the most important strategies, by sector, to address these trends. Gregg Talley, president & CEO, Talley Management Group, Inc also led discussion on how event owners and clients could determine event success metrics moving forward.
Futurology continued in the major afternoon session in Luxembourg on the Future of Events. Eric Abramson, director of major accounts, GL Event Venues introduced the topic and major contributions from the German Convention Bureau chief, Mattthias Schultze; Ben Goedegebuure, enterprise vice-president global & industry presence, Maritz Global Events; James Debos, CEO, Eventime and from Tara Cullen, communications officer, Luxexpo The Box.
The tradition of hearing from experts outside of the industry continued with a session on psychiatry and neuro science, including a historical presentation from Yoon Hee Lamot, curator of the Museum Dr Guislain in Gent, Belgium.
In another afternoon highlight, SITE CEO Didier Scaillet introduced a panel tackling the complex issue of the ‘The Role of Social Impact and Legacy in Hybrid/Virtual Events’. There were key contributions from Genevieve Leclerc, CEO Meet4Impact; Patricia Foo Kim Suan, director of congress and events, European Respiratory Society and from Riccardo Pizzuti, marketing and sales manager, Roma & Lazio Convention Bureau.
The ICCA programme was packed with plenty more content, of course, and while the technology did not always work smoothly during parts of the live broadcasts it, at least, allows us to catch up on demand on the valuable content available.
The final day of Congress content will give delegates a chance to hear from Audrey Tang dubbed the ‘hacker minister’ as she discusses smart use of digital social innovation to empower democracy and advance the efficiency of economy. And gamification guru, Yu-Kai Chou who will speak in the President’s Choice session.
The 3 November programme also includes the Special Edition of the Best Marketing Award that ICCA introduced as a response to current circumstances to recognise the best examples of transformative action.
Check out the regional hub programmes to see the sessions that you can still join in your region.