IACC Connect
The conference industry has entered a new era;
an era where delegates expect more
IACC takes a ‘radical’ turn in Toronto
CMW TAKES A SEAT FOR A RADICAL RIDE AROUND SOME KEY TOPICS EXERCISING
CONFERENCE CENTRE CHIEFS ASPIRING TO MAKE THEIR VENUES THE BEST IN THE WORLD,
AS IACC AMERICAS CONNECT CONSTRUCTS A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF CONFERENCE
he 38th edition of the
International Association of
Conference Centres (IACC)
Americas Connect
conference drew 225 delegates over two
days in April at Toronto’s Vantage
Venues and The Globe and Mail Centre.
As well as the core venue membership,
the IACC Americas chapter welcomed
20 meeting planners from the US,
Canada, Europe and Australia for the
conference – themed for this year
‘Radical Innovation – Change
Everything!’ All took part in a full
schedule of education, networking and
discovery.
The conference put a ban on
PowerPoint presentations, all slides to
include no more than one-word in a bid
to turn the stereotypical conference on
its head and shake things up to create an
environment where delegates could
think differently.
The tone for the event was set by
opening keynote speaker Pablos
Holman, hacker turned inventor and
Silicon Valley innovator, who delivered a
session that encouraged attendees to be
the disruptors of the events industry in
the next five-years with their innovative
venues, services and solutions to some of
the industry’s biggest problems.
Culinary trends were also at the
centre of the sessions’ debate.
One panel of experts, including
Mariela McIlwraith of the Events
Industry Council, Tracy Stuckrath of
Thrive Meetings, Alan Booth of
Deloitte University and Brian Stapleton
of Aramark Conferencing, led a
discussion covering topics from
allergens and dietary preferences, to new
foods, managing wastage and
sustainable practices.
This year, for the first time, IACC
directly involved the meeting planner
and university student communities.
Students from Ryerson University and
Seneca College attended and gained
valuable experience in the industry.
CMW editor Paul Colston joined the
international media judging panel for a
fast-paced competition focused on
innovations, with eight IACC members
and suppliers invited to deliver a
four-minute-long elevator pitch for their
innovation.
IACC CEO Mark Cooper announced
Below: IACC
Connect Americas
delegates get
energised in Toronto
ISSUE 100
Janice Cardinale and Richard Emmanuel
of The Idea Hunter as the winner of the
competition during the IACC Opening
Awards Ceremony at the Global and
Mail Centre with its panoramic views
over Toronto’s skyline.
Delegates were also treated to a
mystery culinary tour around the city,
where they visited three venues putting
a fresh and vibrant approach to food and
beverage to the fore. And an evening
IACC Connect cocktail reception
brought delegates to the Distillery
District and Cluny Bistro.
Nancy Lindemer, IACC Americas
President commented: “We felt it was
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