through an RFP process by giving equal opportunity to all interested members . We received amazing interest which was a testimony to our urge to meet face-to-face . We understand it is still a fluid situation and we have created contingency plans with our hosts . The registration pattern shows that the ICCA members who do not require quarantine are able to attend the hub events . We expect attendance between 50 to 100 participants in each live hub , with numbers subject to local health protocols . As an example , the hub in Luxembourg will be attended by over 100 delegates .

“ My overriding wish is to to fully launch the Future Leaders ’ Council as soon as possible ”

the ICCA team to make sure we are stable and able to begin new initiatives linked to technology and education . However , my overriding wish is to be able to fully launch the Future Leaders ’ Council as soon as possible so that we begin to better engage with those younger members of our community and allow them to help shape the future of where ICCA is going .

Cape Town , Kuching , Latin America , Luxembourg , Malaga , North America , Riyadh , Seoul . How do you envisage it all linking up from a technical standpoint ? We have carefully planned the programme based on time zones and will be live-streaming two ways . The streaming will be uploaded on an advanced customised platform and participants can engage with any hubs by logging into it . The programme is designed based on hubs joining the main Kaohsiung programme for part of the day and during the rest of the day they will conduct their own programme . This is a unique model which combines ‘ Digital Transformation and Face-to-Face interaction ’. Our technology partner has given us confidence in the way it will all link together for the Congress . We have run tests and have tech support in each region .

How are plans for the 2021 Congress in Colombia looking ? The ICCA congress 2021 is going ahead as planned in Cartagena . We are in close contact with the local host committee and working on plans with them . We will also plan to include the experience and learning gained from this year ’ s event in the programme for Cartagena .

You ’ ve announced changes to the structure at ICCA HQ , with redundancies in the team . How do you see the new structure emerging ? As I set out in my report to the ICCA General Assembly we did have to take the difficult decision to restructure Head Office operations , which meant the loss of roles from within the team and our CEO will be working on his plans for the new structure in the coming months . We will be able to share that with members in due course . Importantly , these decisions are key to the long-term future of ICCA and the measures , along with other efficiencies and revenue-generating opportunities that are being driven by the management team , will ensure the association weathers the current storm and emerges stronger and more adaptable than ever .

You ’ ve decided to serve a second term as ICCA president . What initiatives , Covid-willing , do you hope to put forward in the years ahead ? I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve a second term and thank members for their messages of support . Key to the coming year is to work with

Above : James Rees

What words of optimism can you offer meetings industry businesses looking for a lead from ICCA ? We believe that , as human beings , we have a fundamental need to engage in-person and it is these interactions that foster strong business relationships , collaboration and trust . We need to prove to government and policy-makers that our industry is resilient and innovative and make every effort to support economies even without the ability to meet in person . However , we should see this as an opportunity , in the increasingly digital age , to make our industry even more relevant . This necessary shift to virtual and hybrid solutions has shown the world that we can continue for now , but when the time is right , face-to-face will return .

Surely , the acceleration of hybrid and a swift move up the event tech learning curve has been one silver lining from the Covid cloud ? Yes , as with every technological innovation , a crisis can provide impetus to fast-track development . Hybrid events have been around for over 10 years , without the amount of adoption we should perhaps have seen . Out of necessity , we have now fully embraced these solutions and they can only improve the relevance of our industry in the future .