Geneva Convention Bureau, Switzerland

International AssociationOverview

Enrico Zuffi, ManagerGeneva Convention Bureau

44th ICCA Congress & Exhibition, 6-9 November 2005, Montevideo

iccaworld.com

International Association Overview

• Perspective seen by a Convention Bureau.

• Associations: Major revolution the web

More transparency

More details

There is much more published information

• The web has helped tremendously: BUT…

• Positive:

You can get more historic info when founded, where.

Better organised. The web probably pushes them to get things correctly published

Those with specs or requirements are improving their data constantly, Deadline bids

• Negative:

– Only a few publish what they need for their conferences.

– We seldom know where they are based or how they are managed. An association database is still a wonderful tool , thanks ICCA!

– You get more info on who is what in the organization, but seldom figures concerning their events.

Association Market:

• Development:

In Europe: more and more associations.

They start to appear more and more in our database:

5th-6th congresses, 200-500 pax.

There is a big potential! ICCA data and UIA

• Increasing number of:

IT oriented conferences

Safety / Security oriented events.

Health oriented conferences

- quality, prevention, information systems

Biotechnology / Life Sciences conferences

Ecology oriented conferences

• American based associations are looking into the

European / Asian market EBACE, MIE Europe

• Frequency:

Meeting more often: From a 2 – 3 year period, to annual

World Associations also switch from 4 years to 2 years or

plan regional meetings

• Globalization:

– Rotation more and more a must or common rule:

– ICN

– World Heart

– FDI

Organisational Structures:

• Large associations professionnalize their management:

Membership

Scientific Content

Bottom line

Well structured - Conference Dept. - Communication Dept. - Fundraising Dept.

• ESC, FECS, ESMO, CIES

• Plan additionnal conferences, training courses

• Planning longer in advance (except IT)

CORE PCO:

• Do associations use more often a core PCO for their conference?

Core PCO’s have remained stable

– Kenes, Congrex, AKM, Felicissimo Associates, MCI,Eurocongres

– Some have emerged: KIT, ICEO

But every year 5 - 10, large associations are doing or redoing a RFP.

Core PCO’s handle often larger events, where conference management is very important– EULAR– ENS– IFFS– ESGO– UEGW

Association Management Companies:

• AMC: are they controling more of the cake?

Not sure, but the cake gets bigger

• They are: New member oriented, tend to make less emotional

decisions

• They do not handle large events (200-2500)

• Money conscious? Facts and conditions are very important!

• Are only a few in Europe! – AGS– MCI– Kellen– UK companies.

• Convention Bureaus are more and more the first inquiry place!

Reasons:

Global approach

One stop shop

Neutral and objective

Credibility

Quality supervisors

• CB are more and more proactive in the different markets and

develop better web pages

Conflict situations for Convention Bureaus !

• As Corporate Clients, PCO’s, AMC use CB more often CB have to put more efforts and time into each file!

• Positive: The clients get a broader and better offer CB Controls more and more the demand

• Negative:

–They can choose how they want to handle their event

• Do all directly !

–CB may have a problem, if sponsored by members!

• Use a local DMC for hotels, eventually for social events.

• Appoint a local PCO

FUTURE:

• Will CB have to adapt their structures ?

• Be less member oriented and sponsored?

• Finance themselves on results?

iccaworld.com

Merci!

Muchas Gracias por su attencion!

Thank you!