ICCA launches the ICCA Association Community

The International Congress and Convention Assembly (ICCA) has announced it will be launching the ‘ICCA Association Community’ in January 2020. The new platform will offer education, connections, tools and resources to assist international associations in organising more effective meetings. It will also officially welcome association executives into ICCA’s global association meeting community as affiliates, aiming to shape the future and value of international association meetings. James Rees, ICCA President, stated: “For over 55 years, ICCA has been the catalyst to bring together the major destinations, venues, and service providers of the international association meetings industry under a common mission: to shape the future and value of international association meetings. “As the world of meetings has evolved, so has the relationship between ICCA and the associations, moving from the supplier-buyer relationship to that of real partnership and collaboration.” “ICCA’s next step is now filling the missing link and embracing associations in our community as true partners. ICCA is therefore inviting senior association executives, meetings managers and volunteer leaders to join the ICCA Association Community.” ICCA’s target group will be association executives with decision-making or a decision-influencing role on where their international meeting is held. Criteria for joining will be the same as ICCA’s criteria for inclusion in the ICCA database: They must be non-governmental organisations not managed by third parties, with at least one internationally rotating meeting which attracts a minimum of 50 participants per meeting, and is held on a regular basis.