Pillars of strength
ICCA CEO SENTHIL GOPINATH IDENTIFIES THE PRIORITIES FOR THE ASSOCIATION
T he 61st ICCA Congress in Kraków was an opportunity – in real time – to see how our pillars of Sustainability ; Legacy ; Diversity , Equity and Inclusion impact the way we plan , and implement , our work .
For the first time in a while , the community met face-to-face , with the pillars ( literally and figuratively ) looming large in the congress story . From the initial reaction , it ’ s been an overwhelmingly positive experience . So , yes , the three pillars ‘ landed ’ well . Moving forwards , results will be based on how effectively we align them to a fourth significant pillar : Business Focus . The business opportunities created for members , based on the strategy and content we provide , is the key indicator for ICCA success in 2023 and beyond . Everything we do as a connected global organisation – events , knowledge sharing , education – must be viewed through the lens of business growth and increased opportunities for our members . We do not exist to tick boxes ; we are here to drive change . We want to shape our industry , to advocate for it , to give it a significant voice on the global business – and societal – stage . If we do this , we grow our sector . We create jobs . We help communities thrive .
The ICCA pillars help tell these stories of growth . Growth through education , action , and collaboration . We devised congress content to be compelling , engaging and effective . An ICCA pillar was assigned to a particular congress day , but such is the organic overlap of each pillar , it wasn ’ t a hard or fast rule . Keynote speakers and breakout sessions met the brief , and then went further because pillars don ’ t operate in isolation ; they serve a common purpose by sharing a common load . Our pillar-based thinking shaped content creation which will inspire delegates to take the learnings from congress into their working lives .
Should we have these particular pillars ? Should Sustainability ; Legacy ; DEI just be accepted as good working practice ? I believe this misses a golden opportunity to build a dynamic narrative as to how our industry – one that is criticised – is actually making itself a community of change . We are doing it through education , which touches upon Sustainability , DEI and Legacy . We are doing it by championing the Net Zero Carbon Events Roadmap , which tackles Sustainability and again , Legacy . We can be the changemakers . We can lead with a clear and responsible vision . We want to attract passionate young voices , the generation who have grown up with a belief their voice matters , into our
“ Congress used our pillars like conductor rods , supplying the raw energy and power in the room , to think and be different .”
Above : Senthil Gopinath world … rather than see them head into government , the arts , education , commerce or activism . We have a platform ready for those who want to be the difference . And with challenges around recruitment , let ’ s use this messaging and shine a light on our willingness to act . Let ’ s make the potential of change part of the events industry ’ s USP .
Kraków allowed ICCA to put what we think – and feel - into practice . Our members want help moving forward in a positive and responsible way . Congress used our pillars like conductor rods , supplying the raw energy and power in the room , to think and be different . Looking towards 2023 – which I do with great excitement – the commitment to Net Zero , the launch of our new website , the expansion of the ICCASkills programme , and our 62nd Congress in Bangkok , will continue to be based on our pillar-based thinking . ICCA has big plans but we have a solid foundation on which to make our business closer , stronger , better . Our pillars will help us achieve this … and so much more .
ISSUE 122 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 9