Dubrovnik, Co-Creator of Future Activities and Value Systems of the International Association ICCA

From November 12th to the 15th, the traditional 62nd International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress took place in Bangkok, in which the Convention Bureau of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board is a member. The congress gathered more than 1,100 participants from over 80 countries, mostly experienced professionals in the meetings industry, including representatives from associations, convention bureaus, PCOs, and congress organizers. Among them was the head of the Dubrovnik Convention Bureau. Despite having been held 62 times already, this year's congress provided participants with an entirely new experience and paved the way for new trends in event organization. ICCA emphasized the importance of sustainability, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), heritage, innovation, and creating better business opportunities in organizing events, underscoring the significance of this international association for the meetings industry.

With the theme "It Starts with Us," this year's ICCA Congress introduced a new approach to congress organization, involving participants in the program through engaging in constructive discussions. During two mornings, Sharing Hubs were organized to shape and participate in transformative education, gaining valuable and immediately applicable knowledge through discussions on industry challenges, exchanging ideas and experiences, and proposing possible solutions and conclusions. Congress participants were assigned to pre-selected topics with given guidelines, on 80 thematic tables led by Topic Champions who facilitated debates and presented results and deductions on the final day of the congress.

The congress program was very wide-ranging, featuring expert keynote speakers, panel discussions, lectures, and numerous networking opportunities with colleagues. Members of the Meetings Industry Group - City DNA, of which the head of the Dubrovnik Convention Bureau is a member, also participated in the congress, and an additional meeting was held in preparation for the IBTM World trade show and City DNA - CVB café.

Extremely positive feedback and comments on LinkedIn from participants confirm that ICCA succeeded in transforming the usual practice into an entirely new congress experience. This year's ICCA congress left a great impression on all participants and the entire meetings industry. By placing the content and program of the congress in the hands of its members through a dynamic combination of program content, ICCA demonstrated its respect for member proposals towards innovation and deeper collaboration. The outcomes, agreements, and proposals generated during the three days of the congress in Bangkok represent the foundation of ICCA's activities in 2024 and a concrete proposal of values and solutions for the meetings industry.