Together we can
ALL ICCA ’ S EYES ARE ON KRAKOW , WHICH ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SENTHIL GOPINATH BELIEVES WILL HOST THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL CONGRESS YET
T he year 2022 has been a remarkable year for ICCA and a very busy one . It would be over simplifying things to say everything we ’ ve done has been done in preparation for the 61st ICCA Annual Congress in Krakow ( 6 – 9 November ). Although the ICCA team might argue differently , because they have worked terrifically hard creating , what I sincerely believe , will be the most successful ICCA Congress ever .
We ’ ve certainly set a high bar . Congress is a big part of this year ’ s narrative ; and it is an opportunity for us to showcase the many other things we have been busying ourselves with . ICCASkills for instance , a game-changing industry learning programme , created to help define and standardise best practice . ICCASkills is something unique , something we are rightly proud of and we 100 % believe our industry will be better because of it . Initiatives , creativity , knowledge sharing and development ; our associations and members are crying out for all this . ICCASkills certainly delivers on the brief .
Over the last few years , in whatever sector we find ourselves in , we recognise the need for change . The pandemic challenged us to move quicker , think better , act smarter . From the way technology is used to stage and access , events , to meeting the increased demand to deliver more value for money for our associations and members , ICCA gets it ; ICCA embraces it .
Change is good . But some tried and tested things should remain . Nothing , in my opinion , beats being in a room together . Meeting , talking , listening , sharing … together . Togetherness , and what togetherness makes happen , remains the beating heart of ICCA ; hence the slogan we are using for our Congress rallying call : Together We Can .
Which leads me nicely onto our ICCA pillars of Sustainability ; Equity , Diversity and Inclusion ; and Legacy . These pillars are shaping every conversation we have , internally with ICCA staff and externally with ICCA members and associates . On a personal note , I find ‘ Legacy ’ the most important and inspiring . What are we , unless what we do , is done with tomorrow in mind ? Legacy is how we impact the future .
Another ICCA initiative – and one of great personal pride to our outgoing president , James Rees – is the ICCA Future Leaders Council . We have brought
Above : Senthil
Gopinath Below : Krakow together eight outstanding young leaders from across the world , to bring new and dynamic thinking into our industry . They have an international platform where they can use their voice and have just published their second White Paper on ‘ The Association of the Future .’ This work matters , fresh perspective matters , and to further illustrate ICCA ’ s commitment to the thought-leaders of tomorrow , we are bringing this year ’ s Forum For Young Professionals to Krakow to kick off Congress . And we ’ ve changed the focus of the session , so it ’ s now a Forum BY Young Professionals . They set the agenda . They facilitate the meeting . They have plenty to say , and the rest of us – myself included – have plenty to learn . So , yes , 2022 has been a challenge , a surprise , a gift . It ’ s certainly been exciting . We hope that excitement and desire to rise and meet the challenges we face , brings energy and a ‘ can do ’ spirit to Congress .
ISSUE 121 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 9