AIPC Annual Conference
AIPC meets in Luxembourg
CATIE OWEN ATTENDED THE 2023 EDITION OF THE AIPC ANNUAL CONFERENCE , HELD AT THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION CENTRE IN LUXEMBOURG
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IPC members flocked to one of the smallest and quaintest countries in Europe on 16-19 July , all attending the international venue association ’ s Annual Conference .
Notable features of this year ’ s event included presentations from the two Future Shapers teams , E : Qual and Visionary , with the final prize being awarded to the latter team during the AIPC Innovation Awards .
Laurel Gray , senior event manager for ICC Belfast and E : Qual member described her experience as an AIPC Future shaper : “ We ’ ve met so many different people from around the world ; it ’ s been an amazing experience even just for growing our networks . From those new contacts , I ’ ve been learning about their venues ’ standards , the technology we should all be investing in , and ways to improve .” Opportunities to learn at the conference also included talks on hot topics such as cybersecurity , sustainable food , and the future of venues and events . Attendees learned about how A Room with a ZOO in Belgium manages to be the first convention centre with its own zoo , and even further how it maintains a sustainable menu utilising 80 % vegetarian meals , seasonal crops , and local products . Meanwhile , James Bishop , founder of Koru Consulting , introduced attendees to The Agility Experience , a method of unboxing preconceived notions about ourselves in the workplace and used by more than 200 organisations .
Important statistics from the AIPC Members Survey and AIPC Benchmarking results were also revealed .
Survey results included :
• 40 % of centres are recovering better than expected post-pandemic .
• Top risks to centre business growth include air travel issues , competition , and hotel availability .
• Inflation is still a global issue , with 75 % of respondents citing it worldwide , and 85 % citing it in Europe .
Benchmarking results included :
• Trending risks to centre business growth include overall economy ( 61 %) and competition ( 56 %).
• Recovery of conventions , trade shows , meetings , F & B , and other events have all improved over 2022 numbers , with mixed predictions for 2024 .
Leisure in Luxembourg Luxembourg City itself was an ideal host destination choice , especially for an international conference . The destination operates with a range of languages , predominately French and German among locals , with English
Caption spoken everywhere . Additionally , Luxembourg City benefits from a blend of modernity and history without the former overriding the latter . Visitors and locals alike benefit from a public transport system which is not only free but is also impressively well-connected .
The charm of European history can be felt on the City ’ s streets , with winding alleys full of restaurants with surprisingly large spaces behind their street-level facades .
The Clausen district is home renowned for its dining scene , which AIPC members experienced first-hand at a networking dinner at the Tero River House .
With a rich European legacy of
Top : Luxembourg scenery Above : Attendees physically ‘ unboxed ’ themselves in an agility workshop
Middle Age castles and dramatic royal families , there ’ s plenty to show travellers . Walking tours can route through the Ville-Haute central district , by museums and galleries , and the Grand Ducal Palace – just in time for a lunch out of a storybook in the fortified Old Quarters .
ISSUE 126 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 35