ICCA CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath argues that business events leaders must move beyond operational excellence and embrace advocacy. Sitting at the policy table is not about politics; it is about partnership. It is about ensuring that those who shape the rules understand the real value we deliver.
Three of the world’s leading events and exhibition associations have joined forces to unite and strengthen their European advocacy work under a single body: the European Events and Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEEIA). The move expands the existing European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA), founded by EMECA and UFI in 2012, to formally incorporate ICCA…
The Autism Europe Congress 2025 in Dublin was more than a gathering of global experts – it marked a decisive shift in how events can be designed, delivered, and experienced when inclusion is not an add-on, but the foundation. That shift began long before the doors of the RDS opened in September 2025. When Fáilte…
Associations have only a few weeks left to prepare and submit entries for this year’s programme, with US$25,000 in grants on offer. Co-organised by BestCities Global Alliance and ICCA, Incredible Impacts encourages associations to share the innovative ways in which their meetings generate societal value, locally and nationally where the meeting takes place, or worldwide.
ICCA CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath argues that a projected doubling of business events sector value by 2035 makes it more imperative than ever to communicate the societal value of events to policymakers. Their role in setting visa regimes, air travel regulations, infrastructure development and destination development strategies will determine whether this growth projection transpires.
Exclusive 3-day masterclass in Luxembourg for association leaders to enhance skills in creating, executing, and evaluating impactful activities promoting social, economic, and environmental progress. Featuring a programme crafted in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT, GainingEdge and Business Events Sarawak as the Seed Fund Contributor.
Meeting tourism has always been a changing and dynamic industry. The behaviours and the needs of our clients are constantly changing, and our organisations face a much more competitive and demanding market. Learners will: Strengthen key skills to outshine competitors; Reinforce expertise with new strategies and insights; Stay current and competitive in a changing industry.
A more structured and transparent RFP process empowers associations to compare partners on equal footing, identify the destinations that truly align with their mission, and make more intentional, impact-driven decisions. This session will explore how clearer criteria, phased approaches, and mission alignment can transform RFPs from procurement tools into strategic partnership frameworks.
Taking place at IMEX Frankfurt 2026, ICCA Business Intelligence Database Training offers members a quicker, smarter user experience; giving access to data, stats, reports, and analysis to uncover more business opportunities. Key features include: Improved integration, Intuitive modern user interface, Customised meeting search tools, Notification system, Smart recommendation engine.
The traditional pre-IMEX Association Expert Seminar has evolved into the Association Circle, designed to elevate and upskill the meetings and association community, strengthening its ability to remain future-proof and resilient. By focusing on complex, strategy-driven topics, the initiative challenges participants to deepen their expertise and advance their knowledge to the next level.
Exploring practical and creative approaches to embedding wellbeing into how teams work together and how events are designed, introducing simple yet powerful tools that help facilitators, leaders, and event planners create environments where people feel safe, engaged, and connected. You’ll gain insights into how intentional design can improve collaboration, reduce stress, and support meaningful participation
Not all booth conversations are created equal. Some lead to qualified opportunities. Others are polite exchanges that go nowhere. We’ll break down the art of strategic conversation at industry events — how to ask the right questions, listen for the signals that matter, and capture intelligence that informs your bid strategy and destination positioning.
Leading organisations of the global meetings and events industry (IAPCO, AIPC, AMCI, ICCA, IFES & PCMA) have joined forces again, to better understand the direct short- and long-term impacts of current global unrest, conflict and geo-political changes and compare with results from a similar body of research conducted in 2025. Submissions close 10th April 2026.
ICCA is strengthening its commitment to sustainability and advocacy with the appointment of Alexander Alles as Senior Director, Advocacy and Sustainability. Alles, who previously served as Executive Director of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, will join the ICCA team effective 1 April as part of ICCA’s ongoing efforts to advance these two core strategic pillars.
This White Paper argues that current RFP models, largely designed more than two decades ago, have failed to keep pace with societal and business demands and expectations. To stay relevant, responsible and resilient, RFP processes must evolve from procurement tools into strategic frameworks for mission-aligned, impact-driven partnerships. From World PCO Alliance…
Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, articulates the case for why and how we can change external perceptions of the business events sector amongst audiences beyond our own “bubble”. He argues the industry must speak with a stronger, unified narrative that highlights business events as drivers of knowledge exchange, innovation, economic growth and long-term societal impact.
The 65th ICCA Congress in Panama will be a powerful celebration of connection, innovation, and shared purpose. Join us to explore new perspectives, forge meaningful partnerships, and shape the future of business events in one of the world’s most vibrant destinations. This is our moment to learn, grow, and lead — together.
ICCA has announce the host destinations for its next two Congresses. The 66th Congress will take place 24–27 October 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda, followed by the 67th ICCA Congress, which will be held 12–15 November 2028 in Muscat, Oman. ICCA is committed to collaborating with different regions for this flagship event, which strengthens local business…
AIPC has signed an MOU with UFI and ICCA to jointly co-fund and support the work of ISO Technical Committee 354, responsible for developing international standards covering meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and related event services. This strategic collaboration reflects a shared commitment by the three global associations to advance consistency, quality, and professionalism across global markets.
Prof Greg Clark summarises the key points from his keynote presentation to the 2025 ICCA Congress. We are living through a “century of cities”, as we head towards peak projected global population in the year 2080, with over 1600 cities currently having a population of over 1 million, a six-fold increase in 50 years. In…
ICCA proudly announces a landmark sustainability partnership with EarthCheck, unveiled during the 64th ICCA Congress in Porto, Portugal. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in ICCA’s mission to embed sustainability and measurable climate action across the global business events industry. Under a new two-year agreement, EarthCheck becomes ICCA’s sustainability partner, reinforcing ICCA’s commitment to reducing…
Powered by 