ICCA

ICCA was proud to take part in The Business of Events Global Policy Forum yesterday in London — a key platform focused on unlocking the potential of the UK’s business events economy. In conversation with renowned presenter Trish Lynch, ICCA CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath explored the transformative power of international meetings and conventions. The discussion highlighted ICCA’s role in supporting global destinations in building strategies for long-term economic and societal impact — and how best to advocate the value of the industry to decisionmakers in order to strengthen the UK's business events economy. Dr. Gopinath also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between industry and government to unlock these opportunities and position the UK as a leading destination for international congresses and conventions. The forum brought together influential voices from government, policy, and the industry to discuss the value, growth, and future of the #BusinessEvents sector. Thank you to Davies Tanner and all involved for an insightful and impactful event. #TheBusinessOfEvents #ICCAWorld #GlobalPolicyForum #EventsIndustry #EventProfessionals #MeetingsMeanBusiness

📢 We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2025 ICCA Best Marketing Award sponsored by The Meetings Show. This year's theme is "Marketing that Moves You: Inspiring Influence, Creating Impact." Marketing isn't just about selling anymore, it’s about taking the everyday and making it magical✨. When a good idea comes along, it can’t grow into all it could be without marketers who have a dream. A belief, a mission, a calling: it’s all about the process. This year, we want to hear about the creative process from the lightbulb moment to the finished, polished product. 📥Submit your entry for your chance to claim the 2025 Best Marketing Award at the 64th ICCA Congress in Porto this November, and you, like past winners VisitOSLO, Tourism New Zealand and ICC Wales, might soon have the chance to move the audience with a story that resonates deeply—a story that opens eyes, changes hearts, and connects with people in new ways. A story that moves us. Learn more and submit your application 👉https://lnkd.in/dBPt6w_D Patrick Delaney, Ross Barker, Claudia Bastidas Sandoval, Dr Senthil Gopinath, Marta Gomes #BMA25 #MarketingThatMovesYou #ICCACongress25 #BestMarketingAward #ICCABestMarketingAward #ICCAWorld #EventProfs #MeetingsIndustry #BusinessEvents #AssociationMeetings

2025 has been a roller coaster—shifting policies, extreme natural disasters, evolving geopolitical issues, and many unexpected events have kept association executives on their toes. Add to that the rapid transformation of the workforce and demographic shifts reshaping member engagement, and it’s clear: the question isn’t whether disruption will happen, but how agile our response will be. That’s why ICCA is heading to Washington DC for Business Events Industry Week (BEIW) with a powerful session: ‘ICCA Association Readiness Lab: Navigating Disruption in Unpredictable Times’ — a dynamic, hands-on workshop designed to support association leaders navigating today’s unpredictability. Whether you’re preparing for the unexpected or fine-tuning your association’s strategic agility, this session will provide you with practical solutions, timely intelligence, and a high-level network of industry leaders to ensure you stay ahead. Secure your spot 🔗https://lnkd.in/ditPWrER Explore Edmonton Corporation Ottawa Tourism Visit Singapore Business Events Smart Meetings Shawn (Yih-Hsiang) Cheng #ICCAWorld #AssociationExecutives #AssociationMeetings #BEIW25 #BusinessEvents #MeetingsIndustry

ICCA CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath met with Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora and COMIR . President Michel Wohlmuth in Mexico City to discuss the growth of international business events in the region. The meeting focused on knowledge exchange, market intelligence, and ICCA’s support in identifying opportunities and addressing challenges for Mexico’s business events sector. Senthil also met with Fondo Mixto de Promoción Turística del Distrito Federal General Director Carlos Martínez to explore ways to position Mexico City as a leading global destination for congresses and meetings. ICCA remains committed to supporting Secretaría de Turismo de México, COMIR, and FMPT CDMX in their mission to strengthen the international meetings industry in Mexico. 🔗 Read the full story https://lnkd.in/dRgFab4z Shawn (Yih-Hsiang) Cheng ICCA North America #ICCAWorld #ICCANorthAmerica #ICCAMexico #EventProfs #BusinessEvents #MeetingsIndustry

📍Porto is not just our host city — it’s our stage for transformation. At the #ICCACongress25, we are #ChartingTheCourse across one of Europe’s most inspiring cities, with a multivenue experience that reflects the diversity of ideas, voices, and journeys in our global industry. Every path is important. Some are shorter, others longer — but each one moves us forward. This year’s Congress invites you to explore, connect, and discover across Porto’s iconic spaces. From history to innovation, from tradition to reinvention, every venue tells a story. Together, we’re creating an intentional experience that sparks curiosity, challenges assumptions, and inspires action. It’s time to chart your course — for yourself, your organisation, and the future of our industry. See you in Porto 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZ87TDMn Visit Porto and North of Portugal - Convention & Visitors Bureau Visit Portugal Porto Convention and Visitors Bureau AIM Group International Efi Koudeli Gemmeke De Jongh (she/her) Claudia Bastidas Sandoval Agapi Kapia Jamie van Berkel Cristina González Chin Mariana Sousa Pavão João Lemos Patricia Morris Nelia Marques da Fonte Luísa Pereira Filipe Trindade #ICCACongress25 #ChartingTheCourse

Are you—or do you know—an association making a real impact? Now’s your chance to shine the spotlight on them!✨ Nominations are open for the Incredible Impacts Programme 2025—celebrating associations that drive positive change through innovation, legacy, and purpose-led conference planning. Want to learn more before submitting a nomination? Join the webinar, Spotlight on Success: Tips to Craft a Winning Entry for Incredible Impacts, on 1 April 2025 at 09:00 or 17:00 CET, organised by our partner BestCities Global Alliance: ✔ Hear directly from a past winner ✔ Learn what judges are looking for ✔ Get expert tips to craft a compelling entry Register here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQrJgpic Nominate. Inspire. Be part of something incredible: https://lnkd.in/dw349pYp Dermot Ryan Kerstin Jones #IncredibleImpacts25 #LegacyInAction #AssociationExcellence #ICCA

ICCA is excited to welcome Prathmesh Kalubarme to the team in the role of Senior Manager of Business Intelligence & Enterprise Technology. Prathmesh joins the ICCA team, where he will help leverage business intelligence and technology initiatives to create competitive advantage for ICCA members, generating business opportunities and advancing successful outcomes for association meetings worldwide. He will apply his expertise to the further development of ICCA tools and technology, enhancing user experience and value for members. Prathmesh, who holds a master's from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and a bachelor of technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Pandit Deendayal Energy University, has worked as a technology and strategy professional for more than 9 years, including as a Senior Product Manager at ServiceNow and a Chief Minister's Room Fellow for the Government of Maharashtra. He specialises in driving digital innovation across global automotive, manufacturing, and technology enterprises. #ICCAWorld #ICCATeam

Join us at AES 2025, 17–19 May at the Radisson Blu Frankfurt, for an exclusive workshop: “The Future of DEI: Using AI to Create More Inclusive Events” A must-attend for both suppliers and association executives looking to build stronger partnerships and understand each other’s goals. Featuring over 30 international associations and expert speakers Gabrielle Austen-Browne FRSA (she/her) & Aaron Mirck, this is your chance to deep-dive into how AI can shape a more inclusive future. Discover the full programme ➡️https://lnkd.in/dGRp78SD #ICCAWorld #ICCAEvents #AES25 #MeetingsIndustry #EventProfs #AssociationMeetings #DEI

ICCA travelled last week to Brasil, where ICCA leadership participated in international conferences in two historic cities — Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo — during the ICCA Brasil Roadshow. The visits also included targeted site inspections to unique venues as part of a week of dynamic business interactions that showcased the long-lasting relationship between ICCA and key partners in the global meetings and events industry. Led by ICCA President Marta Gomes, CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath Gopinath, and ICCA Latin America and the Caribbean Chapter Regional Director Andrés Escandón, the ICCA delegation shared data and insights with the local business events community and experienced the best both cities had to offer in the realm of international meetings. The ICCA team was delighted to be accompanied by Oscar CEREZALES of MCI, Javier Montilla Q. of Congrex Americas, and the IEEE. Brasil is a standout in the global meetings industry as the only Latin American country to hold a spot in the ICCA Top 20 Global Destinations Ranking (1963-2023), and as the country to host the third-most association meetings in the Americas, following the United States and Canada. Brasil holds the top spot for association meetings in Latin America. We would like to acknowledge our host members from EMBRATUR - Brazilian Tourist Board, Visit Rio, Visite São Paulo Convention Bureau and GL events. Your dedication and determination inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries forward. ICCA looks forward to an ongoing a collaborative relationship with our Brasilian partners and continuing to support the expansion of meetings and events in the Latin American region. #ICCAWorld #ICCARoadshow #ICCALatinAmericaAndTheCaribbean #ICCAEvents #MeetingsIndustry #BusinessEvents

Ready to grow in the business events industry?   Join us in #Beijing this June for the #ICCASkills Certified International Convention Specialist (#CICS) course, spanning 3 days of immersive, instructor-led learning.   Hosted by Beijing North Star Co., Ltd. at the impressive CNCC-II, this course offers: ✅ Practical tools for strategic planning and execution ✅ Fresh insights from industry experts Valentini Amarantidou and Mike Williams ✅ A chance to connect and grow alongside peers from across the region and beyond ✅ Essential skills in industry fundamentals, marketing, planning, and bidding strategies   Bonus guest lectures will also focus on: ✅ Inbound and outbound clients' expectations of China  ✅ Event budget development and cultural expectations in Asia Pacific 📍 ICCASkills Beijing Hub | 📅 9–11 June 2025 For more info and to secure your place: https://lnkd.in/dZ2-xuBW   The tuition fee includes: one year access to our digital learning platform with learning modules, examination and access to our alumni community where you can get exclusive access to webinars, a solutions hub to seek advice, share experiences and help each other and invitations to exclusive events. Already in a senior leadership role? Our CICE class in December would be a great fit for you: https://lnkd.in/d3x6w-H3   #ICCAWorld #BecomeFutureReadyToday #EventProfs Sharon Ashton, Lu-Peng Tsai, CICS, Waikin Wong, Sheaufen Lee, Yuni ZHANG, GainingEdge, ARTION Conferences & Events