GETTING TO KNOW – IAPCO MEMBERS SOLUTION DRIVEN
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES OUT OF CRISES
When crises strike – and let’s face it, we have never before
This is certainly the case with PCOs, as IAPCO members
had to cope with a crisis such as COVID-19 – innovation and
reinvent their businesses, open new divisions and strive
the ability to quickly adapt come to the fore. These qualities
to lead the industry forward – into the new normal!
are what will enable businesses to develop and surmount the current challenges.
ICS CONNECTS: THE FUTURE OF EXCHANGE IS IGNITED BY DISRUPTION IAPCO Member: International Conference Services, Canada Author: Hope Mikal, Marketing Co-ordinator The unprecedented changes brought about by the events
ICS Connects focuses on unscripted insights gleaned from
of 2020 have forced event planners and others in the MICE
genuine conversations with global meeting experts, trending
industry to deal with the disruption that has affected meetings
topics and 360-degree meeting views. The goal is to bridge the
and conferences across the globe. But the term ‘disruption’
connection between associations, convention centres, tourism
does not have to be perceived negatively. In the PCO industry,
bureaux, destination marketing organisations and thought
it can be viewed as an opportunity – to discover a new way to
leaders in the meetings industry. All guests encourage the
engage with colleagues and to find answers to the questions
exploration of emerging ideas, challenges and strategies as the
that 2020 has presented to us.
industry navigates its current uncharted waters. Each episode tackles major issues that we all face as industry professionals,
Mathias Posch, President of International Conference Services
from leadership challenges to mental health and the
and Immediate Past President of IAPCO, found himself being
important topic of inclusion.
asked a similar question by clients, peers and employees alike: ‘What does the future of exchange look like?’. Mathias
The question ‘What does the future of exchange look like?’ is a
decided the best way to tackle this question was via genuine,
difficult one to answer. However, it is the goal of ICS Connects
unscripted conversations with key players in the MICE
to find the answer in the same way that the MICE industry
industry. Thus, a videocast, ICS Connects: The Future of Ex-
always has – together.
change, was launched shortly afterwards on 17 June. Initially, these conversations focused on deviating from the buzzword
Listen in weekly! ICS Connects is available on YouTube and
‘pivot’ and looking into innovating virtual, hybrid and
your preferred podcast platform. Follow #ICSConnects on
in-person meetings moving forward.
your favourite social media platform. www.icsevents.com/news-media
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| Sept 2020
