ICCA has announced official approval of its Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The approval follows formal endorsement by the National Center for Strategic Partnerships, operating under the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the authorisation enables ICCA to deliver the CICS programme across the Kingdom.
Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, said: “This approval represents a significant milestone for ICCA and for the development of the business events industry in Saudi Arabia. By bringing the CICS programme to the Kingdom, we are investing directly in people – equipping the next generation of professionals with globally relevant skills while supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on knowledge, talent development, and sustainable economic growth.”
The CICS programme is designed to equip emerging professionals with the knowledge, skills, and practical competencies required to operate successfully in the international meetings industry. Core areas of study include international association meetings and congress management, destination management and competitive bidding, strategic marketing and operational planning, and the measurement of economic and social impacts of events.
SEEMA, the Saudi Entertainment and Event Management Academy, will facilitate the ICCA CICS programme delivery.
Dr Eihab Abou Rokbah, CEO, Saudi Entertainment and Event Management Academy, said: “In line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision to grow the MICE sector to $4.6bn by 2030, SEEMA and ICCA are proud to announce the launch of the Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) certification in Saudi Arabia. This strategic collaboration aims to professionalise the local MICE workforce by equipping talent with internationally recognised expertise to plan, manage, and deliver global conventions – strengthening the Kingdom’s capacity as a leading international meetings and events destination.”
The programme will be delivered through a blended learning model that combines theoretical instruction with applied, real-world training.
