The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Strategic Alliance for the National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE) have announced a new partnership that involves jointly launching a survey focussed on understanding the future of learning and the academic landscape in the European business events industry. The announcement was made at SANCBE’s recent semi-annual meeting in Athens.
The initiative aims to provide a data-driven overview of current educational offerings, identify critical skill gaps, and look at evolving industry needs as part of ICCA’s strategy to support lifelong learning and to offer valuable educational programmes to its community.
Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said: “ICCA’s partnership with SANCBE is very long-term and this is yet another important step forward in our efforts to better serve destination marketing members. Initiatives geared toward identifying the needs of the industry with regard to academics are key to innovating toward solutions.”
Survey findings will be used to develop a strategic action plan for the next three years — one that the partners hope will strengthen talent development, support innovation, and ensure the industry is equipped to meet future challenges and opportunities. The survey results will also help shape the continuing development of ICCAUni, which aims to connect the academic and business events spheres.
Matthias Schultze and Eric Bakermans, co-chairs of SANCBE, said: “One of SANCBE’s strengths lies in its ability to collect data across 29 European countries and agree on a shared analysis and strategic approach. This makes collaboration with ICCA not only logical but essential, as we combine forces to gain a clearer understanding of the education landscape in Europe and foster meaningful dialogue with academic institutions to drive its development.”
The initiative should provide convention bureaus and DMOs throughout the European region with actionable information they can use to bolster educational offerings and partnerships with relevant academic stakeholders.
Photo: SANCBE co-chair Eric Bakermans; ICCA regional director, Europe, Efi Koudeli; and SANCBE co-chair Matthias Schultze in Athens.
