WORLD - The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has reported it has experienced record membership applications in August 2011.
 
Fourteen companies and organisations from 12 countries on five continents successfully applied to join the association in what is traditionally a relatively quiet time of the year.
 
New members range from Township Patterns, a South African social enterprise, which employs previously disadvantaged women to produce eco-friendly conference products, to the Oman Ministry of Tourism; and from the Chinese meetings industry publisher, MICE China, to the Grand Hotel Palace in Thessaloniki, Greece.
 
ICCA’s CEO Martin Sirk said: “Despite the challenging global economic environment, we’re delighted to see continued growth in membership, including from countries which are suffering the most, and by the year’s end we estimate we’ll have received over 90 new applications in 2011.
 
“I’m certain this can be attributed to the continued attraction of the international association meetings market, and the relevance of ICCA’s tools, database and business opportunities which are aimed precisely at this resilient segment.”

The 50th ICCA Congress is to be held in Leipzig between 22 and 26 October.
 
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