The ICCA Global Association Forum generated plenty of through-provoking conversations between associations and industry... on how events can be a driver for positive societal change.
ICCA Global Association Forum
Taking place from 11 to 13 September, in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, the ICCA Global Association Forum brought together representatives from across the global association and meetings industry to discuss regeneration, sustainability and legacy impact.
At the forum, attendees had the opportunity to connect with industry partners, paving the way for future collaborations and to learn how to create impactful meeting experiences that leverage a destination's sense of place and local culture.
Fiona MacKinnon, Assistant Manager, Associations & Sectors, attended the forum on behalf of VisitScotland. During the event Fiona joined forces with other international destinations and association clients to take part in activities and gain insights into designing impactful meetings which put community, inclusion and belonging at the heart of the process.
Speaking on her experience of the event, Fiona said: "The ICCA Global Association Forum generated plenty of through-provoking conversations between associations and industry, with lots of discussions on collaboration and how events can be a driver for positive societal change. I am looking forward to bringing back knowledge, connections and building on this over the coming months and years."
Ambassadors are incredibly important to the success of Scotland and our cities as conference destinations.
VisitBritain Ambassador Reception
On 13 September at London's Institute of Directors, VisitBritain hosted its inaugural Ambassador Reception to recognise city sector and academic ambassadors who continue to secure new international business events in Britain.
The event was attended by 50 attendees representing British nations, cities, local ambassadors, industry stakeholders and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
British Tourist Authority Chairman Nick de Bois CBE officially opened the reception followed by a welcome from Sir John Whittingdale, Minister of State jointly in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
As part of the panel session, Professor Gary Hutchinson from Edinburgh Napier University spoke with great enthusiasm of The Edinburgh Exchange initiative. The Exchange is a cross-city board of academics, who help the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and other city venues find an ambassador for an event, using their in-depth knowledge and connections to support colleagues organising events for the first time.
Patrick Lamont, Business Events Policy Engagement Manager said: "Ambassadors are incredibly important to the success of Scotland and our cities as conference destinations - their hard work and willingness to go above and beyond, and their desire to bring their peers to their home city, is the connective tissue between destinations and associations."
One thing was clear to me, we need to look honestly at our environmental impact before we can make the real changes our industry needs to be part of the solution of the climate crisis.
PCMA Convening EMEA
Last week (20 - 22 September) the team attended PCMA Convening EMEA, the association's flagship European event, which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Over 600 delegates from across the world descended on Copenhagen to discuss issues that are affecting the events industry. From the complicated nature of belonging to the risks we are collectively facing, including the reputation of destinations. VisitScotland joined the Pathfinders sessions with Destinations International where the importance and challenges of social and environmental sustainability was the key topic.
Rory Archibald, Senior Business Events Manager said: "PCMA Convening EMEA always encourages some incredible thought-provoking conversations between attendees thorough its extensive education programme and keynote speakers. One thing was clear to me, we need to look honestly at our environmental impact before we can make the real changes our industry needs to be part of the solution of the climate crisis.”
The events were an opportunity for VisitScotland to promote the country's sustainability credentials and to show that in Scotland business events can create real change and impact.
PARIS CONNECT: A Journey to Change event
On the 19 September, members of our corporate and incentive team and five Scottish partners (HORIZONS by Tour Partner Group, The Gleneagles Hotel, IHG Hotels & Resorts, INSPIRED SCOTLAND DMC and the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa) hosted a networking event in Paris to showcase their sustainable options to selected French agencies.
The events were an opportunity for VisitScotland to promote the country's sustainability credentials and to show that in Scotland business events can create real change and impact.
Speaking on the event, Heather McNee, Corporate & Incentive Assistant Manager said: "Networking events such as this provide us with an excellent opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with key agents in European markets and promote the progress Scotland is making to highlight business events as a catalyst for social and economic change. Our partners' speeches were incredibly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the results of conversations from this event."
