Following a record number of applications, international association of convention centres, AIPC has announce the ten successful candidates selected for its 2026 Future Shapers programme, commencing in December.
This year’s cohort represents ten different convention centres across five continents, and reflects both the growing popularity of the programme.
AIPC Future Shapers is a seven-month accelerated leadership course, which aims to propel the industry’s developing leaders to the next level in their careers, through a series of masterclasses, ideation and business case development skills, and the opportunity to promote their solutions to challenges faced by convention centre managers.
AIPC president, Julianne Jammers said: “Now in its sixth year, AIPC’s Future Shapers delivers a winning formula for preparing high achievers to grow their skills, build resilience and help shape the future of our industry.
“I know this year’s students will again embrace the programme and impress venue management leaders across the globe and I can’t wait to see what they deliver on stage during the 2027 AIPC Conference at St John’s Convention Centre,” Jammers said.
AIPC CEO, Sven Bossu, added: “AIPC Future Shapers is an interactive roadmap towards excellence in convention centre management, requiring intense commitment and engagement of the participants and in return the candidates not only accelerate their leadership capabilities, they build a new global network of peers while being provided the opportunity to help shape the future of the AIPC Community.
“Each year we see benefits that continue to evolve into legacy solutions. Projects to improve client communication, streamline venue operations and enhance industry knowledge sharing and education are all at varying stages of implementation and we look forward to curating new outcomes with the year’s diverse and experienced cohort.”
The Future Shapers programme comprises three main components:
Stage One – Masterclasses: Five expert-led masterclasses for education and collaboration.
Stage Two – Industry Challenge: small groups will collectively identify an industry challenge, create a proposed solution, and develop a business case for investment, which will be detailed in a white paper and published to the AIPC community.
Stage 3 – Challenge Presentation: following a two-day on site masterclass on refing the project and its pitch, groups will present their ideas to an audience of global leaders during the 2027 AIPC Conference at St John’s Convention Centre, Canada, which takes place on 27–30 June 2027.
The ten candidates, their venues and roles are:
| Name | Function | Venue | Country |
| Ali Roberts | Head of business intelligence & transformation | Manchester Central | UK |
| Daniel P. Dominguez | Head of association sales | The Convention Centre Dublin | Ireland |
| Edward Callen | Technology operations manager | Adelaide Convention Centre | Australia |
| Kai Verhage | Pricing manager | RAI Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| Mafiwa Kock | Sales executive | Cape Town International Convention Centre | South Africa |
| Michelle Davidson | Association business development specialist | Edinburgh International Conference Centre | UK |
| Rohak Kumar | Event manager | Calgary TELUS Convention Centre | Canada |
| Saufi Paujian | Assistant beverage manager | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre | Malaysia |
| Stacey McLaughlin | Senior event manager | Halifax Convention Centre | Canada |
| Laura O’Kane | Head of marketing & partnerships | ICC Belfast | UK |
