Two South Africans represented in the AIPC Future Shapers programme | The Planner
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AIPC Future Shapers

Two South Africans represented in the AIPC Future Shapers programme

| Nov 2, 2022 | Education, News, Venues

AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres, is launching its 2023 AIPC Future Shapers programme this week. A diverse group of high achieving candidates from around the world have been selected for this programme, including two South Africans from the Cape Town International Convention Centre: Revenue Manager Arisha Sukaloo and Executive Sous-Chef Sibongiseni W Gcelu.

The two join 11 other candidates, as they embark on a eight-month accelerated leadership course. The aim is to propel the industry’s developing leaders forward in their careers through a series of masterclasses, ideation and business case skill development. They will also be given the opportunity to offer their solutions to challenges currently faced by convention centre managers.

Arisha Sukaloo, CTICC Revenue Manager
Sibongiseni W Gcelu, CTICC Executive Sous-Chef

Delivering lasting legacies

β€œFrom event managers and planners to technology and customer service experts to finance gurus and even an executive chef, this year promises to be another high intensity learning and project delivery journey for them all.”

Greg O’Dell, AIPC Chairman, says, β€œThe AIPC Future Shapers have delivered lasting legacies to the industry, delivering solutions that were well beyond our expectations – both of which are aimed at delivering client liaison and communication efficiencies and are at varying stages of commercialisation.

β€œA winning formula for preparing high achievers to shape the future of our industry has now been established through the AIPC Future Shapers programme and I know this year’s students will again embrace the programme and impress venue management leaders across the globe.

β€œFrom event managers and planners to technology and customer service experts to finance gurus and even an executive chef, this year promises to be another high intensity learning and project delivery journey for them all.”

The programme

Sven Bossu, AIPC CEO, adds, β€œAIPC Future Shapers is an interactive roadmap towards excellence in convention centre management, requiring intense commitment and engagement of the participants and in return the candidates not only accelerate their leadership capabilities, they are also provided the opportunity to help shape the future of the AIPC Community.”

The Future Shapers programme has three main components:

  • Stage One – Masterclasses (November – December 2022): a series of seven expert-led masterclasses for education and collaboration.
  • Stage Two – Industry challenge (January – April 2023): candidates must collectively identify an industry challenge, propose a solution, and develop a business case for investment. This must all be detailed in a white paper and published to the AIPC community.
  • Stage 3 – Challenge presentation (April – June 2023): candidates are invited to pitch potential legacy solutions for the convention centre management industry to an audience of global leaders during the AIPC Annual Conference in Luxembourg, which takes place 16 to 19 July 2023.

Meet the candidates

Congratulations to the thirteen candidates who were selected for the programme. They are:

  • Arthur Mok: Event Manager at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Hong Kong)
  • Kate Abbott: Customer Experience Manager at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Australia)
  • Katie Tinetti: Senior Manager, Innovation at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Australia)
  • Sathyan Chandrasekhar: Financial Controller at International Convention Centre Sydney (Australia)
  • Wadhah Abdullah Ahmed Al Harthi: Event Planner at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (Oman)
  • James Walker: Head of Technical Services at Scottish Event Campus (United Kingdom)
  • Fiona McGibbon: Head of Sales at Scottish Event Campus (United Kingdom)
  • Dana Fish: Senior Business Development Manager at International Convention Centre Sydney (Australia)
  • Arisha Sukaloo: Revenue Manager at Cape Town International Convention Centre (South Africa)
  • Sibongiseni W Gcelu: Executive Sous-Chef at Cape Town International Convention Centre (South Africa)
  • Anna Szabo: Sales Manager at HUNGEXPO (Hungary)
  • Laurel Gray: Logistics Planner at ICC Belfast (Northern Ireland)
  • Jacqueline Elder: Operational Project Lead at Scottish Event Campus (United Kingdom)

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