The 63rd International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress ended successfully after four incredible days of dynamic sessions bringing together 1563 delegates from all around the globe.
”We’ve made history once again, proving that our industry is stronger than ever and that business events have the power to change the world. This achievement would not have been possible without the exceptional collaborative effort of our host, The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), whose outstanding work helped create a truly unforgettable experience for all.” ICCA statement said.
Featuring 176 speakers, 93 sessions, and attended by 11 ministers and undersecretaries as well as UN Tourism Secretary General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvilid, this year’s event was ICCA’s biggest Congress yet. Delegates from 76 countries worldwide came together to share knowledge, collaborate, and expand horizons, all with the central theme of Tomorrow Starts Today.
Commitment to future generation and association community engagement
The event was attended by over 102 international and regional university students, demonstrating ICCA’s commitment to including the next generation of meetings and events professionals and providing a roadmap toward growing their careers in the space. With more than 100 associations in attendance, representatives from all parts of the meetings and events industry gathered for an unforgettable experience that promises to live on in the hearts of attendees for years to come.
This year’s Congress boasted an innovative, futuristic model never before seen in the global business events industry: The Hub. Featuring 19 concurrent sessions in a groundbreaking design that allowed for free-flowing information exchange and real-time feedback from attendees via AI technology, this never-before-seen concept was based on insights from last year’s Congress in Bangkok, where delegates participated in Sharing Hubs. The Hub is just one example of how the 63rd ICCA Congress once again set the global standard for the business events industry and promises to go down in industry history as a benchmark for future events.
“This year’s ICCA Congress was certainly one to remember. With record-breaking attendance, incredible speakers, and the sense of community that makes ICCA a leader in the industry, it was truly an event we’ll never forget,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA. “The power of connection was on full display, and from everyone at ICCA, I’d like to thank each and every delegate for joining us in Abu Dhabi, our partners and sponsors. Here’s to many more years of gathering together and creating change, making history, and building a brighter future.”
Delegates heard from industry-leading experts and speakers who illuminated the issues that matter most to the future of business events, shared incredible memories, and built unbreakable friendships.
Attendees let loose and showed their competitive side at Challenge Night at Warner Bros World, delighted in jaw-dropping views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the Welcome Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, and enjoyed world-class hospitality during the Gala Dinner at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Participants celebrated the winning entries of the Best Marketing Award and Incredible Impacts, gathered to vote on the future of ICCA at the General Assembly, and shared insights and “Aha moments” over meals and coffee breaks.
ICCA is grateful to our gracious hosts in Abu Dhabi who helped make the 63rd Congress an incredible success.
