Staff Reporters
The 46th ICCA Congress and Exhibition, held in Pattaya over the
period October 27-31, was not only a huge success but it also drew a record
amount of delegates from all corners of the world.
ICCA
President, Leigh Harry, addresses the delegates.
Altogether some 814 top-level meetings industry professionals, two thirds of
which were at CEO, company president, or senior director level, and
representing some 64 countries arrived in Pattaya for the 4-day conference.
Pattaya Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn was on hand at the opening ceremony
held at the PEACH Convention Center, October 27, to present the keys of the
city to ICCA President Leigh Harry, who had opened the event alongside Dr.
Suwit Yodmanee, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Natwut Amornvivat,
president of the Thai Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau.
ICCA CEO Martin Sirk said a stronger educational programme with greater
resources allocated to sourcing expert speakers from across the globe was
the primary reason behind the increased numbers this year.
“ICCA’s networking and business exchange opportunities are always a big draw
for senior meetings industry directors”, said Sirk, “but this year we have
paid particular attention to the strength of the education programme and
this has really caught the attention of our membership in Asia and beyond.
The post-congress evaluations for educational content are the best we have
ever recorded,” he added.
The
PEACH Convention Center at the Royal Cliff Resort provided a fine conference
venue.
The ICCA itself was founded as an organization in 1963 by a group of travel
agents and has since evolved into one of the most prominent bodies in the
world of international meetings. ICCA members represent the main specialists
in handling, transporting and accommodating international events.
The programme for this year’s event featured a best in business awards
ceremony and many exhibits and educational workshops on varying issues
including corporate branding, the environment, advanced marketing methods
and Asian business trends, and with so many top-level professionals meeting
together in one place, the opportunities for networking were endless.
ICCA was the first meetings industry association to use the new generation
Spotme networking tool, winner of this year’s EIBTM Worldwide Technology
Watch competition, and it was used quite fanatically by the delegates in
Pattaya: Some 13,000 digital business cards were exchanged, over 21,000
messages were sent and participants completed more than 2,000 electronic
feedback forms.
Recreational activities were also high on the agenda at the 4-day meeting
and included a charity golf tournament at Burapha golf course with the
proceeds going to the Baan Jing Jai children’s home, a trip to the Sanctuary
of Truth near Wongamat Beach, and a special Gala Dinner held at the Royal
Cliff Resort.
As the conference drew to a close, the General Assembly of the ICCA Board
confirmed that Hyderabad in India would be the host destination for the 2010
Congress. This will be the first time that ICCA has ever organised a
Congress in the Indian sub-continent, and the event will be timed perfectly
for members to see the multitude of new meetings industry developments
around the country, as well to experience the superb new facilities which
have been built in Hyderabad itself, explained CEO Martin Sirk.
“This was a thoroughly professional and highly creative bid proposal by an
enthusiastic team of ICCA members, and we are confident that ICCA’s 2010
Congress will mark a major milestone in the development of the meetings
industry in India,” he said
No matter how well Hyderabad puts on a show however, it will still have to
go some to top the tremendous event held here in Pattaya.
A spectacular Thai traditional dance show was a
highlight
of the opening ceremony.
The conference attendees took some time out to
visit Pattaya’s beautiful Sanctuary of Truth.
The General Assembly of the ICCA Board preside
over the closing ceremony.
This year’s ICCA Congress drew a record number
of industry professionals.
