reality means maintaining what is practical and useful in the immediate future , in terms of a ‘ semi-virtual ’ and hybrid organisation of meetings to maintain full international communication .

In the long-term , surely , taking advantage of the advancement of technological tools , we must design and generate our hybrid academic meeting spaces , but there will always be a greater emphasis on the face-to-face aspect due to the particular nature of the ‘ depth ’ of knowledge and communication that we are concerned with in our academies and institutes .

The legal events that we handle through our organisations are no longer exclusively dedicated to transmitting information , given its availability in electronic media . The point is how our exponents of high professional standards can motivate the students in the generation of new knowledge , and emphasise what to do with that knowledge . For this , human interaction has shown to be irreplaceable .

So , how are your associations approaching opening up to meeting in person again . Do you have some in-person conferences on the horizon ? If so , where , and why were those destinations selected ? The Colombian Institute of Disciplinary Law has , since the end of 2021 , been gradually holding meetings and conferences in person again . Now we have several legal reforms that imminently deserve debate and then publishing and implementation through our academic meetings programme .

The International Confederation of Disciplinary Law ( CIDD ), for 2022 , meanwhile , is focused on organising the International Congress on Disciplinary Law jointly with associated organisations in Colombia , Argentina , Brazil , Mexico , Venezuela , Panama , Dominican Republic , Barcelona , Peru , as well as with

organisatons still in formation in Madrid , Paraguay and Costa Rica . The impact that disciplinary reforms in Colombia generate in other countries is quite significant . At present we are in the process of selecting the best destination and venue for that event .

What do you look for in terms of an ideal / favourite conference location and venue ? Are these criteria changing ? The main criterion we traditionally take into account when organising our International Congress on Disciplinary Law is the high professional profile of its attendees . They are highly specialised professionals , experts , high court magistrates , public servants and legal professionals . We are mindful that the success and recognition of our events is based on their exclusivity , academic quality and general organisation , security , connectivity and visitor attractions and amenities offered by the host destination / venue . An additional criterion is the guarantee of health protocols , vaccination rates in the host city , and also connectivity with airlines and hotel stock that complies with biosafety protocols .

And what about the Latin American business travel and conference market . Is it beginning to return ? The Latin American market is making great efforts to encourage the normalisation of conference and meetings attendance , a position that our associations fully share , since our central objective is focused on updating knowledge through training .

We must work together with governments to , first , regain confidence , while guaranteeing health protocols and emphasising the importance of raising vaccination levels .

With regard to conferences , seminars and workshops , it is necessary to speed up face-to-face attendance , and , for this all organisations have an essential role to

“ We are mindful that the success of our events is based on their exclusivity , academic quality and security , connectivity and visitor attractions in the host destination .”

Below : On stage

at the ICCD

Congress

play in decisively resuming activity at least at the levels we were used to . We must take that step towards the normalisation of our future .

Several countries in Latin America do not have what is required to return quickly to the long-awaited normality in the conference and business travel market , but trust is also contagious and when some countries begin to lead , the others can quickly catch up .

Which meetings industry trade shows do you attend and do you find them useful ? Our associations have been invited for several years to the Fiexpo meetings industry show on our continent and its related events . The last one we participated in was with the CIDD in November , 2021 . It played a decisive role in the process of inducing a collective reactivation of business travel services and conferences . There was a great display of optimism on view and the exchange of experiences and collective support was of the highest importance for the market .

There is certainly a multitude of possibilities for effective exchanges with other professionals : To get deeper knowledge of the conference market via the network of ICCA and its many data , services and opportunities for development is also good for us in terms of organising our events .