SAEC NEWS

ICCA accelerating industry transformation and recovery through collaboration

ICCA is rolling out new, collaborative initiatives aimed at overcoming the current pandemic challenges to build a stronger meetings industry. One key strategy is ICCASkills, a certification programme for ICCA’s global membership and the wider industry to establish new business models, enhance professionalism, and elevate standards worldwide.

By Senthil Gopinath, chief executive officer of ICCA.

“With ICCASkills, we have solidified our approach to education in 2021 as an integrated process. It is fundamental that we cross-skill and re-skill within our community,” explained Senthil Gopinath, chief executive officer of ICCA.

The curriculum will be developed and delivered by industry experts, including inspirational business leaders, academics and ICCA members. It will be delivered through on-site and online learning environments.

Creating a new meetings mindset

Mr Gopinath is also encouraging ICCA members to shift focus during this time of recovery from their ROI to their ROC or return on collaboration. “For our community, the way forward is through sharing our knowledge and expertise. It is through collaboration that we may begin to see a return on investment once again. Our goal is to help create a new perspective amongst event professionals.”

ICCA’s latest report, The Opening of the Events Industry, is an example of this effort in action. The report compiles best practices and knowledge gained through the safe and successful executions of face-to-face events in 2020. It includes a description of the health and safety measures applied during the Restart Expo, held 25-26 November 2020 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.

“There is a lot of optimism with vaccines coming out. We need to embrace new business models and new ways of working,” Mr Gopinath said. “Together, we may increase awareness and share best practices within our community, cities, and countries. We are all ambassadors for our industry.”

Aligning locally and globally

In March, the ICCA African Chapter hosted ICCA’s first Think Tank event. The programme series brings together diverse perspectives for moderated, evidencebased discussions targeting a specific sector of the meetings industry. This first iteration focused on venues and their role in social and economic development models for cities. Taubie Motlhabane, chief executive officer, Cape Town International Convention Centre and ICCA African chapter chair, moderated the discussion.

With new programme offerings, such as the Think Tank and Thought Leadership series, ICCA is working to optimise local and global connections within the industry. Ultimately, Gopinath says these crucial engagements will enable a faster, safer return of face-to face international meetings.

“Each one of us has a role to play in global advocacy. You can trust us to align, collaborate, and engage, both locally and internationally – to reopen the events industry. Together we will build a stronger, better future.”

email: hello@saeventscouncil.org

By Senthil Gopinath, chief executive officer of ICCA.